(MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ) -- New Brunswick’s recently retired Recycling Clean Communities Coordinator, Donna Caputo, was honored by the Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA) with the first ever Curbside Recycling Coordinator of the Year Award for 2020.
Ms. Caputo’s illustrious 26-year career includes her service on the Association on NJ Recyclers (ANJR) Board of Directors since 2008. Other career highlights include the NJDEP Recycling Award for Municipal Coordinator in 1999 and the ANJR REX (Recycling Excellence) award in 2017.
“It is fitting that Donna is the recipient of the MCIA’s first ever Curbside Recycling Coordinator of the Year Award. Even before climate change became the crisis it is today, Donna understood the importance of recycling and the difference it could make for our planet,” said Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios. “With her trademark energy and enthusiasm, Donna led the charge to educate the residents of New Brunswick regarding recycling and worked hard to involve the community in the cause. Her commitment and contributions will be greatly missed. On behalf of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, I congratulate Donna on this well-deserved honor.”
In making the inaugural award, Executive Director of MCIA, H. James Polos, commented, “Middlesex County has long been recognized for its high rate of recycling in the State of NJ and by pooling our resources we are able to pass the savings in our curbside recycling disposal costs to our taxpayers. This benefit exists as long as our residents follow the guidelines on proper recycling. Donna’s years of hard work, dedication and educational efforts to the residents of New Brunswick have greatly contributed to our County-wide success. For that, I can think of no better person for us to recognize than Donna Caputo.”
“Donna has been a true innovator when it comes to community involvement in recycling,” stated James P. Nolan, Chairman of the MCIA. “New Brunswick’s volunteer litter clean-ups, Clean City Block Program, Kids Sweep up Day, as well as interactive exhibits and vast array of partnerships with community organizations to educate residents are as a result of Donna Caputo’s leadership.”
“Donna will be the standard under which future recycling of the year recipients will be judged,” concluded Polos. “In addition to her accomplished career in recycling, Donna was a pleasure to work with and her drive and dedication will be long remembered.”
The MCIA offers the curbside recycling program as a shared service to County municipalities. Currently, the program has 17 participants and due to the troubled recycling marketplace, has been successful in offering a stable and lower cost of disposal than many municipalities throughout the State of NJ.
About Middlesex County
Middlesex County is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies, three universities, 18 park systems, and world-class healthcare and research facilities making it one of the nation’s most dynamic regions and a leader in technology, transportation, the arts, and food innovation. As one of the most diverse populations in the country, Middlesex County is home to over 832,000 residents living throughout 25 municipalities and employing nearly 40,000 people. Ranked #1 in the state for best schools, the County offers an award-winning vocational school system, a county college, and workforce development creating a unique ecosystem in which opportunities abound. Conveniently located between New York and Philadelphia, Middlesex County is a leading destination for businesses and residents alike to live, work, and play – and has been since the 17th century.
