City Councilwoman Takes Action on Trenton’s Recycling Challenges

Dear Mercer County Executive Benson and Board of Commissioners,

I trust this letter finds you well. I am excited about the prospect of collaborating with our new executive and the Board of Commissioners to improve the services provided by the county to our capital city. In this spirit of collaboration, I wish to bring one of the most recent pressing issues to your attention: the challenges surrounding recycling procedures in Trenton.

It has recently come to my attention that there have been changes in the recycling procedures implemented by the county, and I believe there is room for improvement in how these changes are communicated and executed, particularly in Trenton.

Firstly, a considerable portion of Trenton properties lack sufficient land space to accommodate multiple bins for recycling storage. This results in a shortage of bins for residents to adequately store their recycling, leading to accumulation issues. Additionally, the limit on recycling pickups to only two days a month is highly inadequate. Given that correct recycling practices can result in comparable amounts of recycling to trash, bi-weekly pickups simply do not suffice.

This inadequate schedule compels residents to resort to unfavorable alternatives such as discarding recycling with regular trash or leaving it outside when bins are full, leading to environmental and pest-related concerns. Conversations with numerous Trenton residents have echoed these concerns, underlining the urgent need for more frequent recycling pickups.

Therefore, I strongly urge the county to reconsider its recycling department’s operations and increase recycling pickups to at least once a week in Trenton; though, twice per week would be more adequate. Doing so would not only alleviate environmental and sanitation issues but also align with our efforts to encourage residents to adopt more eco-friendly habits.

Moreover, it is imperative to enhance communication and outreach efforts in Trenton to ensure residents are adequately informed about these changes. Providing accessible information on where to obtain free recycling bins for those in need would be instrumental in facilitating compliance with the new procedures.

Lastly, increasing the recycling schedule would not only benefit our environment but also create new job opportunities within the county. This move would particularly benefit populations seeking second chances, providing them with stable employment and contributing to the overall well-being of our community.

In conclusion, I implore you to prioritize these concerns and take proactive steps towards improving recycling practices in Trenton. Together, we can foster a cleaner and more sustainable environment for current and future generations. I, as well as other members of Trenton City Council, certainly welcome a healthy conversation to further discuss this matter and other shared services we have with the county.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Warm regards,

Jasi Edwards
Trenton City Councilwoman At Large