In order to remain the top recycling county in New Jersey, the Cumberland County Improvement Authority, in a working partnership with county municipalities, continues to develop free programs to assist residents with ways to properly manage solid waste. As part of this effort, the Authority has established permanent universal waste depots (drop off centers) throughout the county. Residents can now dispose of outdated electronic equipment, household batteries, and compact fluorescent bulbs year-round instead of holding it for one of our Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling Days.

Electronic items including computers, monitors, VCRs, keyboards, servers, terminals, telephones, laptop computers, televisions, DVD and VCR machines, printers, stereos, computer wire, and mouse controllers will be accepted.

Cell phones are accepted at the universal waste depots throughout the county. If you prefer to donate a cell phone, residents can drop off old cell phones to any senior center in Cumberland County or to the Cumberland County Office on Aging, 590 Shiloh Pike, Bridgeton, NJ.

Those who wish to donate their working computers may choose to take advantage of programs such as the Goodwill Industries Reconnect Program. As part of the program, Goodwill accepts donated computer equipment at any of their retail stores. In conjunction with Dell Computers, these components are recycled and remarketed. All of the proceeds support Goodwill’s non-profit training and employment programs. Goodwill staff will provide donors with a donation receipt.

The Authority wants to remind everyone never to dispose of used batteries with household trash. Batteries are to be recycled because they contain components that could contaminate ground water sources if not disposed of properly. Household batteries used in pagers, hearing aids, and other small electronic devices are accepted at the universal waste depots. They include alkaline, lithium, lead acid, and nickel-cadmium batteries. Automobile, truck, or similar batteries must be held for disposal at one of the three Household Hazardous Waste Clean-Up Days sponsored by the Authority.

In addition, the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation has placed recycling boxes inside many stores. Residents can drop off nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal-hydride batteries used in cordless tools, and lithium-ion and small sealed lead acid batteries found in other portable electronic products.

Compact and fluorescent bulbs are becoming increasingly popular. Proper disposal of these items is essential as they contain mercury and the universal waste depots provide residents with safe methods to do so.
Cumberland County residents may bring up to six units per visit to one of the following permanent drop off locations:

City of Vineland Public Works 1086 East Walnut Road, Vineland Telephone: 794-4250	City of Vineland Material Handling Facility South Mill Road, Vineland Telephone: 794-4250
City of Bridgeton Maintenance Building Public Works Complex Florida Avenue, Bridgeton Telephone: 455-3230	Maurice River Township Behind the Municipal Garage 556 Main Street, Leesburg Telephone: 785-1120

For more information about universal waste or other recycling programs in Cumberland County, contact Dennis DeMatte Jr. at 856-825-3700 or ddematte@ccia-net.com.