Interactive map: Waste and recycling in New Jersey

NJ Spotlight has found New Jerseyans are recycling less of their waste than they did in the mid-1990s, according to data from the state Department of Environmental Protection.

NJ Spotlight reporter Colleen O’Dea created an interactive map that illustrates the percent of trash that was recycled in 2009 in counties across the Garden State.

On average, how much do you recycle? Do you agree with the data from the Department of Environmental Protection?Tell us in the comments below.

According to the map, the majority of counties in South Jersey recycled 55 percent to 60 percent of the time, while one area, Cumberland County, was only one of four counties where residents recycled their trash more than 60 percent of the time.

NJ Spotlight reports that recycling rates had started climbing since sinking to just about half in 2003 but the rate dropped in 2009 to 57 percent statewide, from 58 percent in 2008.

You can read the rest of Colleen O’Dea’s story on the NJ Spotlight website.