All Around Pennsauken

By Joe Scavuzzo, Director, Department of Public Works

As 2017 pushes onward, ushering my fellow residents and I along our town’s 125th anniversary or “quasquicentennial,” I step back to take a look at our big picture.

As with most weighing of past and present, there are considerable differences. For instance, back in the late 1800s, the latter part of this article would not apply to early settlers of Pennsauken. Fast forward a bit, perhaps to the middle of the 20th Century around the 1970s. I think about the landfill here in town on River Rd. and all the items currently located towards the bottom of that site: TVs, cars, loose tires, fluorescent light tubes, endless amounts of hazardous waste not classified at that time. I ask myself, “How did we get to this point with all of the environmental awareness, regulations, etc.?” The answer I stumble upon is consistent, no matter the decade nor century the question is asked in: we adapt. I am tempted to begin a grand sentence with “Since the beginning of time.” However, I can see my wife rolling her eyes; so I will refrain. It comes down to this: we as a Township will adapt to the challenges we face. Whether it’s illegal dumping and littering, vacant and abandoned properties, or how to get rid of a TV, Pennsauken will step up to remain the friendly place to live and grow. That’s the mindset of your local Public Works Department; that’s the service we aim to provide.

Camden County Collection Events

Each year, Camden County sponsors waste collection events to help residents properly dispose of various items around our homes, garages, and sheds to protect the environment. It may sound like a nagging chore to do, but the benefits it has on our local bodies of water far outweighs any inconvenience of proper disposal on a Saturday morning.

We at Public Works see it every day. On Cove Rd., you may have seen what looks like a “paint trail” that was spilled on this freshly-paved road. This was more-than-likely from a trash truck pulling out from one of the Collins Tract side streets, headed towards Rt. 130. It can be concluded that a resident did not dry out a can of latex paint with kitty-litter or sand, as required by the Township, prior to placing the dried paint pail in the trash; thus having the trash truck crush the pail during compact. The paint then drains out of the truck with all the other unpleasant trash liquids. Remember, oil-based paints can ONLY be disposed of at County household hazardous waste collection events.

For the convenience of residents, all household hazardous waste collection events take place on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the various locations:

• April 8 at the Collingswood Public Works Complex, 713 N. Atlantic Ave.
• May 6 in Atco at the Parking Area at Atco and Raritan avenues
• June 10 at Camden County College Parking Lot, 200 College Drive, Gloucester Township
• 16 at the Pennsauken Sanitary Landfill, 9600 N. River Rd.
• 14 at the Camden County Public Works Complex, 2311 Egg Harbor Rd., Lindenwold

The County also offers a shredding service for residents only – no businesses accepted. The next event will be held on Saturday, May 20 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Camden County College parking lot at 200 College Drive, Gloucester Township, NJ. The Township is holding a shredding event as well on Saturday, April 22, from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Middle School Parking lot on Park Ave.

Recycling Televisions

It may take some planning, but recycling your unwanted TVs will pay off by helping you, the environment and Pennsauken stay a safe place to play and live. Magnum Computer Recycling, located at 5070 Central Highway, here in Pennsauken, accepts TVs and other electronic devices. You can call them at (856) 333-0991 or visit http://www.thanksforbeinggreen.com.

For more information or a list of items you can and cannot bring to a household hazardous waste event, please visit http://www.camdencounty.com/service/environmental-affairs/recycling/ or call Pennsauken’s Department of Public Works at (856) 663-0178.