Bergen County Utilities Authority News Feeds http://www.bcua.org/ The BCUA will hold a one-day compost bin sale on Saturday, June 13th at the Bergen County Campgaw Mountain Reservation,200 Campgaw Road in Mahwah, NJ  between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., rain or shine. http://www.bcua.org/News-more-34.html The Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) was one of eight agencies selected for a 2009 Wave Award by the Mercervillle-based Association of Environmental Authorities (AEA) at the group’s Annual Spring Conference in Atlantic City on March 10-11. The AEA is a nonprofit association representing over 100 publicly owned water and wastewater facilities that provide environmental services to the people of the State of New Jersey. The BCUA was selected as a Wave recipient for the construction of a Combine Heat and Power Cogeneration Plant (CHP) that went into service at the Little Ferry wastewater treatment facility in May of 2008. The biogas-fueled CHP provides reliable, efficient and economical thermal and electrical energy, and is operated in parallel with the PSE&G electrical distribution system. The facility supplies approximately 90% of the electrical energy consumed by the BCUA. Electricity is the Authority’s largest expense category and the projected savings in energy costs over the 25 years of the project’s lifespan is approximately $26 million. “We are very pleased to be recognized by the AEA with a 2009 Wave award and I’d like to salute Commissioner Ronald Phillips and the Construction and Engineering Committee for helping to bring this important project to a very successful completion, both on time and under budget,” said BCUA Chairman James Krone. “The CPH is a key component in the BCUA’s Sustainable Energy Master Plan (SEMP) and demonstrates real progress toward achieving the overall sustainability goals of reducing energy consumption and costs, as well as greenhouse gases,” the Chairman stated. Other initiatives of the Authority’s SEMP include PV solar, wind turbines and conversion to a hybrid vehicle fleet. AEA started the Wave Award program in 1983, when it began recognizing the skilled and dedicated professionals operating authorities in New Jersey with the Wave Achievement Award. AEA recognized several members for projects and activities that protect the environment, help treatment plants operate more efficiently and effectively and promote public education efforts in communities. http://www.bcua.org/News-more-37.html   http://www.bcua.org/News-more-35.html In an effort to remove tires from Bergen County’s municipal solid waste stream, the BCUA offers a tire recycling collection program which allows residents to drop-off tires at locations throughout Bergen County on select days.  http://www.bcua.org/News-more-30.html Most consumers are unaware that computer and electronic equipment contains toxic materials and heavy metals. These materials, if thrown in the trash, will end up in a landfill or incinerated, potentially creating an unsafe environment. To reduce the environmental impact caused by improper disposal, and at the same time increase recycling in Bergen County, the BCUA has opened a Computer and Electronics Recycling Depot for Bergen County residents and businesses AND offers collection programs several times a year, throughout the county. http://www.bcua.org/News-more-31.html Improper disposal of household chemicals such as pesticides, paints, and motor oil in the garbage is dangerous and environmentally unsafe. Residents of Bergen County can avoid doing so by attending the Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Programs.  http://www.bcua.org/News-more-29.html Compost bins known as "Earth Machines" are available for purchase for Bergen County residents. http://www.bcua.org/News-more-26.html