Dear Editor:
We applaud Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer and her staff’s continuing efforts to increase recycling in Hoboken with their recent initiative to install public space recycling bins along Washington Street and Pier A. These recycling bins will not only help keep our streets cleaner, they reduce our waste sent to diminishing landfill space and our associated hauling fees, approximately $2,000,000 annually. We encourage the Mayor to consider additional initiatives to further reduce our city’s budget and keep our city clean. One possible initiative with great potential is a pilot program for food waste composting, as food waste can account for up to 50 percent of the weight in garbage. Food waste collection and composting will have a learning curve, so a pilot program will help work out the logistics until we can realize the full potential of a large scale program.
Another initiative to clean up our sidewalks is the installation of plastic bag drop-off bins in high traffic areas, such as outside of City Hall, to collect used plastic bags. These bags, which currently litter our streets and sidewalks, could then be used in dog waste dispensers giving them a 2nd life. Ultimately we’d like to see a reduction in the one time use of plastic bags by switching to biodegradable plastic and reusable tote bags, but until then, extending the life of an existing product is a step in the right direction. For more information or further discussion please contact us at cgh@qlchoboken.org or info@hobokenchamber.com.
Sincerely,
Tom Chartier,
PE, LEED AP Chairman, Hoboken QLC’s Committee for a Green Hoboken Chairman, Hoboken Chamber of Commerce’s Urban Planning & Sustainability Council