Business goes green; twp. renews pledge to do same Bayshore Recycling Corp. to install solar panels at Keasbey site BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer WOODBRIDGE - As the township announced its environmental-friendly initiatives for Earth Week last week, and with the concerns of global warming worldwide, the Bayshore Recycling Corp. announced its plan for the largest concentration of solar power among U.S. recycling companies. "With Earth Day [April 22] upon us, it is vital for business to not only talk about ways to be environmentally friendly, but to demonstrate what can be accomplished on a grand scale through natural technologies," said Valerie Montecalvo, president of Bayshore Recycling. The Bayshore Recycling Corp., located on the waterfront in Keasbey, was founded in 1995 to manage and recycle construction debris. The company has steadily expanded its environmentally friendly services, now including Montecalvo Disposal Services Inc., Coastal Meta Recycling Corp., Montecalvo Contracting Corp., and Environmental Soil Management of New Jersey LLC. The company announced on April 19 that it is investing $5.7 million for the 700-kilowatt system to be installed later this year at its recycling facility. Energy generation from the solar panels will be used to power a majority of the company's operations, including the recycling of concrete, asphalt, brick and block. Bayshore processes and transforms these materials into marketable products. "The solar panels working together will have the capacity to power the equivalent of 120 homes," said Montecalvo. "A total of 3,500 solar panels will be installed on roofs - each will generate 200 watts of power by converting the sun's rays into clean energy. The panels - each sized at 3.5 feet by 5.5 feet - will serve as semiconductors. When sunlight hits the panels, it will cause electrons to flow, creating clean electricity with zero pollution throughout the Bayshore facility." Bayshore's recycling and remediation activities require a steady increase in energy. "As an environmentally responsible company, Bayshore does not want to burn fossil fuels or pull an increasing amount of electricity off the power grid," said Montecalvo. "Over the past eight years, company officials have studied many alternative energy options in preparation for this landmark investment. Solar energy is the easiest energy source to obtain permits for, it is the cleanest, and it is the most efficient way to provide energy." Solar technology is part of a much larger plan for Bayshore Recycling as the company is actively taking steps to be-come the most diverse "EnviroPark" on the East Coast. Plans are under development to create a diverse campus of "green" businesses that use each other's manufactured product to advance the latest construction recycling technologies. Woodbridge Mayor John E. McCormac said it was a pleasure to see a township-based corporation make such a drastic investment in clean energies. "I am pleased that Bayshore Recycling recognizes the need to develop and incorporate environmentally friendly energy-saving solutions in its day-to-day operations," said McCormac. "Bayshore is a shining example of a corporate citizen advancing clean energy technologies to benefit its business and the community as a whole." McCormac announced environmental-friendly initiatives for the township on April 17. "I am pleased to announce that the township recognizes the need to develop and incorporate environmental-friendly and energy-saving solutions to every-day government operations and of our obligation to communicate the environmental mission to our residents," he said. The nine-member Woodbridge Environmental Commission targeted the implementation of the energy-saving initiatives that can be easily accomplished by township residents, businesses and municipal facilities, which include replacing standard light bulbs with energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs; exploring the potential of installing high-efficiency, energy-producing solar panels at the Woodbridge Community Center and other municipal facilities; continued purchase of energy-saving, fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles to supplement the municipal fleet; expansion of the Public Works recycling program to include the disposal of compact fluorescent light bulbs, electronics and computers; the opening of the recycling and bulk waste "convenience center" at the Public Works facility in Keasbey; and permit-free weekend garage sales in each of the township's five wards followed by curb-side bulk waste pick-up on the Wednesday after the garage sales. McCormac said the energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulb replacement program will move into full swing on April 28 as part of the Tooling Around the Township home repair program for senior and disabled township residents. The volunteers will replace standard light bulbs with energy-efficient light bulbs supplied through a financial donation by Wal-Mart and a donation of the light bulbs from Ace Hardware in Colonia. In February, the township purchased 12 2007 Ford Escape hybrid vehicles, which are set to be delivered the week of April 23, to supplement the municipal fleet, and said they hope other municipalities will follow their lead and go green. The vehicles cost $25,576 each and are estimated by the manufacturer to get over 36 miles per gallon. Included as part of the purchase and potential cost-savings are state and county rebates totaling $48,000 for the 12 vehicles - $4,000 per vehicle. McCormac has also announced the 2007 Grammar School Recycling Slogan and Poster Contest. This year's theme is "Recycling at school and at home." School-age children are encouraged to submit their recycling ideas, drawings and slogans to the township's Public Works Department by May 14. For more information on the Bayshore Recycling Corp., visit www.bayshorerecycling.com.