Pine Ridge Residents Angry Over Recycling Plant

When the Township Council approved a resolution in August, it paved the way for American Recycling Services Inc. to build a paper and cardboard recycling center on Edgeboro Road near the Pine Ridge community.

What the council also paved the way for was a lot of angry residents, many of whom voiced their displeasure with the decision at Monday’s Township Council Meeting. Pine Ridge is bounded by the N.J. Turnpike, Route 18, and Edgeboro, and is close to the Edgeboro landfill. On Monday, its residents said the recycling facility is just another sign that the community is being "dumped on."

Jackie Strat, president of the Pine Ridge Homeowners Association, said the 400 or so families represented by the group have had to deal with a series of decisions that they perceive as slights and signs of disrespect, including the fact that it was the last to get a brand new park, something that happened after years of plannning abnd following a period when the plans for the park were lost.

“Now we don’t need recycling dumped on us too,” she said. “It’s too much, and tonight is not our only appearance. We will be taking this further. What we’re looking for is for you to reverse this decision. We haven’t heard any reason why it was approved."

The facility would located near , which removes and recycles heavy machinery, pipes, metals and other similar items, and , which specializes in waste, debris and hazardous material removal; cardboard recycling; roll-off containers and temporary dumpsters; cleanups; and more.

The resolution approved on Aug. 8 was the third time the council considered the new recycling plant, with it being denied twice previously. According to that resolution, American Recycling Services, Inc. filed an application that conforms with the Middlesex County Solid Waste Management Plan. The facility would process approximately 200 tons a day of paper and cardboard.

The resolution also says the township will receive a Host Community Benefit as part of the processing of the plant. The plan has been sent to the Middlesex County Solid Waste Advisory Council for approval.

In addition, Mayor David Stahl said the township is working with the company to ensure certain safeguards are taken, including limiting the hours of operation and prohibiting outside storage of materials. The company also is required to give the council monthly reports.

However, residents said the plant will affect the quality of life by creating more traffic, noise and smell, a problem many already have because of the nearby dump. They also said the plant could affect property values of residents and commercial properties in the area.

“(Pine Ridge is) very beautifull and now, just recently thanks to our neighbors, they tell me there is a new kind of recycling company there and, what is surprising, is that my township agreed,” said resident Jason Mah.

Mah said the Host Benbefit contriubiton of $100,000 may have had something to do with the council’s change of heart.

However, Township Administrator James White said the real reason is simple, letter from the zoning board attorney detailing a 1997 decision by Judge Freda Wolfson regarding solid waste management. He said decision means township ordinances that normally have criteria over where these types of facilities can be placed are invalid. That decision also meant that the facility would not need zoning or planning board approval.

However, resident Nancy Glub said a similar application by Triple M was denied in 2005 by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, which should set a new precedent.

Mayor Stahl defended the decision, saying that there would be no increase in truck traffic and that the township has done everything in its power to limit the impact on residents by restricting the hours of operation, tonnage allowed and banning outside storage.

He also said the facility will bring new jobs with it, and that American Recycling has said it would make those jobs available to East Brunswick residents first.