NEWARK, N.J., March 20, 2013 – Hundreds of commercial property owners in Newark’s Ironbound participated in community meetings to express their concern over the results of the recent property revaluation in the City, and to share information regarding the appeals process which has been extending by several weeks, with the help of local elected officials, including East Ward Councilman Augusto Amador.

Reports of commercial property values increasing by 100 percent and more have prompted many owners to question the methodology used by Appraisal Systems, Inc. to produce wholesale property value increases that appear implausible during a recession when compared against market conditions.

More than 20 pallets of electronic waste were collected and recycled at a free event hosted by the Ironbound Business Improvement District (IBID) and ECOvanta in cooperation with the City of Newark. Items as small as computer keyboards and as large as copy machines and flat screen televisions were dropped off by Newark residents and businesses at Peter Francisco Park in the Ironbound District. Other pieces of electronic equipment were picked up at locations throughout the East Ward, adding to the success of the inaugural event. A second event is already being planned for after the holidays in January.

“ECOvanta and Covanta Energy are proud to help provide an easy and responsible way to recycle and dispose of e-waste materials in Newark and are very pleased by the success of the inaugural  collection with the IBID,” said Hank Asher,  business manager of Covanta Essex Company in Newark. We look forward to future collections and collaborations with the IBID.”

Electronic products including computers, cell phones, CD players, cameras, office machines, electronic games and more are made of a wide variety of materials that can negatively impact human health and the environment. Keeping material constituents like lead, nickel, cadmium and mercury out of your regular garbage by recycling electronics also recovers valuable materials in addition to helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, saving energy and natural resources by extracting fewer raw materials from the earth.