As New York City garbage trucks prepared to roll into Newark and Elizabeth (see last week’s MTR), Union County officials filed suit in New Jersey Superior Court last Friday. The County argued that Waste Management’s transfer stations in Elizabeth lack appropriate permits and that the garbage transfer violates New Jersey’s Solid Waste Management Act. The Act requires a much higher level of solid waste recycling — 60% — than the 9% demanded by New York City law.

"We’re attempting to prevent Waste Management from accepting (NY’s) garbage because it does not reach the levels of recycling required by the state," Elizabeth Mayor Christian Bollwage told the Star-Ledger.