East Brunswick, located in Middlesex County, New Jersey, is starting a new two-part program series called WeCycle. It is organized by the East Brunswick Public Library, the East Brunswick Sustainability Task Force, and the Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission.
This series is part of the library’s larger environmental education project, Option Green. It is being held this spring to celebrate Earth Day and teach local residents how to care for the environment through small, everyday actions.
The first event in the WeCycle series is on April 16, 2025. It will take place at 7:00 p.m. in Meeting Room 3 at the East Brunswick Public Library, located at 2 Jean Walling Civic Center Drive. The program is also available online through Zoom.
The event is titled “Sustainability Basics in the Home through Solid Waste Management, Recycling, and Getting Food Smart.” Lynn Ust and Briane Peters, who work in the Middlesex County Solid Waste Management and Environmental Health Division, will lead it.
During the session, they will explain what items can be recycled and how to dispose of them properly. This includes details about recycling batteries, which are often confusing for residents. They will also talk about understanding food labels, especially “best by” dates. Many people throw out food that is still safe to eat because they misunderstand the labeling, which leads to more food waste, which the program aims to reduce.
The second event is scheduled for May 28, 2025, also at 7:00 p.m., in the same location and on Zoom. It is called Recycling and Waste Reduction: History, Trends, Innovations and Interesting Stuff.
The speaker will be Steven Rinaldi from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. He will cover how recycling systems began, how they have changed over time, and what new technologies are being used today to reduce waste. The program will also discuss future directions in recycling and what steps people can take to improve current habits.
Both events are part of Option Green, which began in 2017 as a partnership between the East Brunswick Public Library and the Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission. Since it started, the program has held lectures, discussions, and film screenings.
Past topics included climate change, beekeeping, invasive plants, seed saving, local water quality, sustainable agriculture, and the spotted lanternfly. Programs like Food Choices for a Small Planet and The True Cost of Fashion have received attention, and the project was recognized with the 2017 Environmental Achievement Award from the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions. That award was given at the ANJEC Environmental Congress at Mercer County Community College.
The Option Green program series includes three to six events each year. It is open to adults and teens and does not require any materials to participate. All events aim to make environmental science understandable and useful for the local community. Over the years, speakers have included state climatologists, university researchers, and environmental advocates. Recordings of past events are available through the library’s website.
To learn more about the WeCycle events or register to attend, visit www.ebpl.org/option-green. Registration is open for both in-person and online attendance.
