News from the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders
Public Information Contacts: Linda Van Zandt / Joanne Vuoso / Lisa Krueger
908.231.7020 publicinfo@co.somerset.nj.us
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December 14, 2010
Freeholders Offer Tips for Waste-Free Holidays
The Somerset County Board of Freeholders invites residents to give “green” gifts a
chance this holiday season and to recycle as much as possible.
“During the holidays, there are many things that we can do to minimize the amount
of waste we create,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Robert Zaborowski, solid waste
management and recycling liaison. “Giving “green” gifts is one way to conserve resources,
minimize ‘the mess’ of packaging materials and even save money. Recycling boxes,
wrapping paper, gift cards, cardboard and acceptable plastics is another.”
Following are some “green” gift ideas, which will keep on giving well past the holiday
season:
 Tickets: theatre, dance, concert, comedy, sports events
 Season Passes: sports and entertainment venues
 Memberships: gym, organizations
 Subscriptions: books, magazines
 Lessons: cooking, music, dancing
 Gift Certificates: restaurant, car wash, spa, bed-and-breakfast
 Services: housecleaning, yard work, car washing
 Charities: donate money in a recipient’s name
 Contributions to nonprofit organizations, which are often tax deductible
Ideas on how to reduce waste include: Purchasing products with little or no
packaging, sending electronic holiday cards to tech-savvy friends and family members,
reusing gift wrap and bags, and making the packaging part of the gift, such as wrapping a
gift in a tablecloth, dishtowel, an article of clothing or a reusable tote bag.
Residents are reminded that they can recycle holiday waste, such as corrugated
cardboard, chipboard (gift boxes), nonmetallic wrapping paper, holiday cards and plastics #1 through #7 - at their usual curbside collection or at First Saturday of the Month drop-off
events. Due to the New Year’s Day holiday, the next Saturday drop-off day at the
Somerset County Recycling Center, located at 40 Polhemus Lane in Bridgewater, will be
on Jan. 8.
For more information about Somerset County’s recycling program, visit
www.co.somerset.nj.us/recycle/index.html.
Also, residents can recycle Christmas trees at two Somerset County Park
Commission parks from Dec. 26, 2010 to Jan. 31, 2011: North Branch Park in
Bridgewater in Parking Lot A and Colonial Park in Somerset in Parking Lot F. For
directions, visit www.somersetcountyparks.org/genInfo/directions/Directions.html.
In addition, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection offers
holiday-shopping ideas, ways to cut down on food waste, and post-holiday “stuff”
management ideas at www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling/xmas_06.htm,
www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling/foodwast_article.htm and
www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling/holiday_stuff.htm.
Jack M. Ciattarelli, Freeholder Director  Robert Zaborowski, Freeholder Deputy Director
Peter S. Palmer, Freeholder  Patricia L. Walsh, Freeholder  Patrick Scaglione, Freeholder
Somerset County Is An Equal Opportunity Employer