Recycling Shed Shuts Doors for Good; Township Looks to Sell Vacant Facility

Matthew Hersh

The recycling shed at the Princeton Shopping Center closed its doors for good on Sunday, discontinuing a service that was regarded by some residents as a convenient drop-off area.

Princeton Township Committee decided unanimously in January that the shed would close, citing dramatic decreases in usage and increases in the efficacy of the Township Curbside Recycling Program.

Township Engineer Robert Kiser said that the shed service was no longer cost-efficient for the Township. He added that the yearly cost of shed operations totaled $65,000 per year ‹ a number that included both the salary of a recycling attendant and the costly transportation of materials and clean-up operations.

But Bob Clynes, the former shed attendant, will continue to work within the Public Works department.

Recycling Coordinator Janet Pellichero said the Township is currently in discussions with Chris Hannington, general manager of the Princeton Shopping Center, regarding the possible sale of the shed.

Ms. Pellichero said plans are tentative, but if the shopping center were to acquire the facility, it would most likely use it for storage. The value of the shed was approximately $11,000 when it was re-built in 1998.

While the shed was an added "convenience" for residents there was little resistance to closing the shed. Ms. Pellichero said residents have come to rely on the Township's curbside program. Overall, the percent of Township materials recycled at the shed has dropped to 5.2 percent in 2002, down from 9.3 percent in 2000.

Residents who need additional recycling buckets can pick them up free of charge at the Public Works garage at the Valley Road building, Ms. Pellichero said. She added that Mercer County will be hosting its "Waste Day" on April 17. The county-sponsored program allows residents to drop off hazardous materials such as oil-based paints, oils, freon, gas, and various appliances safely.