REDUCE - RECYCLE-  REUSE Establishment of the Environmental Commission There is hereby established an Environmental Commission for the protection, development and use of natural resources, with the exception of those duties relating to water resources, which are presently under the jurisdiction of the Board of Health.  The Commission shall be know as the Environmental Commission of the Township of Sparta.  (1978 Code § 2-22.1) Duties of the Environmental Commission a.               The duties of the Environmental Commission are to conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the Township.  b.               To study and make recommendations concerning open space preservation, water resources management, air pollution control, solid waste management, noise control, soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance, marine resources and protection of flora fauna. c.                Coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes.  d.               To advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets, which in its judgment it deems necessary for its purpose, within the limits of funds appropriated to the Commission.  e.               To keep an index of all open areas, publicly and privately owned, including open marsh lands, and to obtain information on the proper use of such area. f.                 To recommend to the Planning Board plans and programs for development and use of such areas for inclusion in master plan of the Township.  g.               To serve as a liaison between local conservation needs and regional State and Federal agencies ministering to those needs as authorized by the Township Council. h.                To do such other acts and things as are reasonably related to and designed to carry out the purpose and objectives of the Commission.              (1978 Code § 2-22.5) The Commission meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building.  The public is welcome to attend.   2013 Environmental Commission Members: Ted Gall   Joseph Golden Laura Newgard Paul Price Joseph Walsh   John Schon Janice Stevens, Secretary Contact Information: Janice.Stevens@spartanj.org or call (973) 726-3614 and leave a message with the Secretary Informational Websites: USEPA's guidance on the proper disposal of prescription drugs - http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/factsht/proper_disposal.html Frequently Asked Questions about disposal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products - http://epa.gov/ppcp/faq.html Water Resources - http://www.cleanwaternj.org/ Nature Links - http://arborday.org   Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions - http://www.anjec.org   New Jersey of Department of Environmental Protection - http://www.state.nj.us/dep    Highlands Water Planning and Protection Act - http://www.nj.gov/dep/highlands/ Highlands Council - http://www.highlands.state.nj.us/ Sussex County MUA - www.scmua.org The Technical Support Center of the NJ State Dept. of Environmental Protection:  For Freshwater Wetland or Highlands questions call (609) 777-0454; for Waterfront Development, C.A.F.R.A., Stream Encroachment or Flood Hazard Area permitting questions call (609) 984-0162.   GOOD EARTHKEEPING  B.Y.O.B. - Bring Your Own Bag   Reusable Bags are the latest "Green" trend.  Did you know:   Plastic bags kill thousands of birds, whales, seals and turtles every year, and takes hundreds of years to break down in landfills.    The US uses 100 billion plastic bags annually. Plastic bags are among the 12 most commonn items found in coastal cleanups.  Each high quality reusable shopping bag you use has the potential to eliminate hundreds of plastic bags over its lifetime.    For those interested in joining the crusade against plastic, there are small and simple steps that can be taken every day.  The best place to start is by properly disposing of household plastics, separating them and putting them in the correct recycling receptacles.  Reusing plastic bags is also an option.  Another option would be reusable bags, which are the "must have" item of the moment.  Many stores are trying to get a head start on weaning their customers off of disposable bags.    The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has started a program enforcing and creating recycling laws county-by-county to encourage citizens do their part.  The program targets both citizens and businesses, as industries and large companies have a big impact on recycling. Don't Toss That Bulb! Switching to compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs is a very bright idea.  They use about one fourth the energy and produce 90% less heat compared with traditional incandescent bulbs.  The advantages of using CFLs far outweigh the hazard from the small amount of mercury they contain.  The largest source of America's airborne mercury comes from burning fossil fuels such as coal for electricity production.  According to the National Association of Counties a power plant emits about 4 times the amount of mercury into the atmosphere to produce the electricity to run a regular incandescent light bulb campared with a CFL for the same lenght of time.   Changing the five most frequently used light bulbs or fixtures in the house to Energy Star CFLs can save the average household about $60.00 a year in electricity costs and New Jersey would prevent more than 3.5 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions over the lifetime of the bulbs - the equivalent of removing nearly 600,000 cars from our roadways.    Since they last up to 10 times longer than old-fashioned light bulbs, the CFLs you have purchased over the last few years probably have not burned out yet.  But what do you do with them when they do reach the end of their lives?  Because CFLs contain a small amount of mercury they should be disposed of properly.  The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends thaking advantage of available local recycling options, but currently, most New Jersey communities don't yet have collection sites for CFLs. EPA is working with CFL manufacturers and major U.S. retailers to expand recycling and disposal options.  For example, IKEA stores in New Jersey accept used CFLs in addition to batteries and other toxic household items.  An each NJ county also has a household hazardous waste recycling cacility that accepts used CFLs.  The bulbs should be placed in a clear plastic bag and disposed of just like batteries, paint or motor oil at a household hazardous waste collection site.  To find out about collection dates, locations and other information please refer to the recycling information provided below.  If it isn't possible to recycle your used CFLs, you can dispose of them along with your regular trash after sealing each bulb in two plastic bags.  Don't dispose of CFLs in an incinerator.  For accidentally broken CFLs, EPA recommends the following clean-up and disposal guidelines.   1. Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.   2. Carefully scoop up the fragments and powder with stiff paper or cardboard and seal hem in a plastic bag.  3. Use disposable rubber gloves, not bare hands to wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in a second plastic bag along with the first bag containing the bulb fragments and any other cleanup materials. 4.  Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces. 5.  Put the bag in an outdoor trash container or in another outdoor protected area for the next normal trash disposal.  6.  Wash your hands after disposing of the bag. If a fluorescent bulb breaks on a rug or carpet, 1.  First, remove all materials you can without using a vacuum cleaners, following the steps above.  Sticky tape (such as duct tape) can be used to pick up small pieces and powder.  2.  If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken, remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister) and put the bag or vacuum debris in two sealed plastic bags in the outdoor trash or protected outdoor location for normal disposal.  For more information about disposing of CFLs, go to www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling. Guidelines for Proper Disposal of Household Medication Over the counter and prescription medications should not be disposed down the drain because wastewater treatment facilities are not designated to remove pharmaceutical compounds and they may end up in your local waterways, and may eventually be found in drinking water.  Properly disposing of unwanted and expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications in the trash promotes a healthy aquatic environment and prevents accidental poisoning and intentional abuse.  4 STEPS FOR PROPER DISPOSAL 1.  Keep medicine in original container.  Mark out personal information on prescription bottles. 2.  Mix liquid medicine with undesireable substance like coffe grinds, cat litter, or dirt. 3.  Place bottles in an opaque container like a yogurt container, and secure lid; or wrap in a dark colored plastic bag.  4.  Hid the container in the trash.  DO NOT recycle. Improper disposal in your trash allows others to divert the substance and consume medication that was not prescribed to them.  For more information contact:  DEP Solid & Hazardous Waste Program (609) 633-1418 For proper disposal of household sharps visit: http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/phss/syringe.pdf or call (609) 984-6620   Please do your part in helping the environment.   The Sparta Township Environmental Commission encourages everyone to recycle. The following items are picked up curbside: Aluminum and tin cans, glass (clear, amber & green), all plastic containers with codes between 1 PET and 7 OTHER (milk, soda, detergent, bleach, yogurt cups, baby wipe containers).  These items can all be co-mingled together in one reusable container.  Recyclable fiber materials include:  corrugated cardboard & brown paper bags (bundled), newsprint, magazine, telephone books, junk mail chip boards (food cereal, tissue, shoe boxes and other gray and white paper board containers), office paper and shredded paper.  The items can also be co-mingled in one reusable container.  NON-RECYCLABLE ITEMS are drinking glasses, plastic bags, plastic toys, oil & paint cans, aerosol cans, coat hangers, ceramics, window glass and wax coated material (jice boxes and main carton). The following items can be recycled at Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority, 34 Rt 94S, Lafayette, NJ (973-579-6998) Monday - Saturday 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.:   Newsprint, corrugated cardboard and pressboard, chipboard, magazines, junk mail, mixed office paper and shredded paper, steel and bimetal food and beverage cans, aluminum beverage cans, glass bottles and jars; clear, green and amber, #1 PET plastic containers; clear and green soda bottles, #2 PET plastic containers; milk, juice, water, detergent bottles, aluminum bakery plates and foil, old clothing, used motor oil, waste anti-freeze and household batteries.     Monthly Shredding Service 3rd Friday of every month 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., $6.00 per 40 lbs box - no limit.

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