Q&A with Jeff Scafuro of Scuffy Carting

In case you didn’t already hear the news, Ringwood has recently hired a new waste disposal contractor for all recycling and garbage removal. The name of the company is Scuffy Carting, and there are many positive changes that will affect how your recycling is handled. The Ringwood Environmental Commission had the chance recently to sit down with Jeff Scafuro, a partner of Scuffy Carting who also happens to be a Ringwood resident. Below, Jeff shares his knowledge and views while answering some of our questions about recycling in town.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION: As a Ringwood resident yourself, what’s your opinion of how we should view recycling?

JEFF SCAFURO: Recycling is very important to both the borough and our environment. With increasing demands on waste flow and landfill space, recycling becomes very important to all of us.

EC: Should I recycle any differently than I have in the past?

JS: Yes, ALL plastic materials can now go into the co-mingled collection. All bottles (milk, soda, detergent, etc), cans, pet food cans and tin items can go in.

EC: Since all recycling gets thrown together, why should I separate?

JS: We use one truck for the co-mingled and another truck for paper/cardboard. This is better for our company from a profit standpoint on the recycling market. So you do still need to separate the co-mingled from the paper/cardboard.

EC: Since all recycling is thrown into a garbage truck, why should I bother to recycle at all?

JS: These trucks are standard refuse trucks that are used exclusively for recycling. Secondly, the more you recycle, the better it is for us and the town on the next bid cycle, as the garbage collection fee was based off Ringwood’s historical garbage tonnage.

EC: Tell us a little about your sleek new Scuffy garbage/recycling trucks.

JS: Most of our trucks are late-model units that have to meet the new emissions laws. This allows our trucks to burn cleaner, and that will help the environment. We have some of the cleanest-burning diesel units around, which is good for all Ringwood residents.

EC: Is it true that the less garbage I put out and the more I recycle, the more money I’ll save?

JS: Yes, recycling more means you’ll have less garbage, which brings down the garbage tonnage figure and could bring the town a cost savings in the future.

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EC: What else is coming soon in recycling?

JS: The state of NJ has just passed the “Recycling Tax,” which issues a $3 tax on each ton of garbage. This will further encourage people to recycle because each town can save money if it reduces its garbage tonnage.

EC: What will your workers do if they find recyclable materials such as TVs, appliances or building materials set out as garbage?

JS: We will leave the items at the curb. We’ve already had experiences in town with electronics (TVs, computers) and construction materials. Appliances are normally collected with metal pick-up once per month by appointment.

EC: How about obvious small-item recycling, like bottles and cans, put out in regular trash?

JS: If it’s obvious, we will leave the bag at the curb. Recycle!