Read About Robby

Robby the Recycling Raccoon is a member of the Franklin Lakes Recycling Team. He was born on Earth Day (April 22) and has lived all his life in Franklin Lakes.

Robby and his family were like most of us in that they were careless with bottles and cans, eating what they could find and then throwing cans away on the streets or in the water. One day, Robby went fishing for his breakfast in a local lake. As he approached the lake, he saw "bottles, cans and plastic bags floating all over the lake - but there were no fish."

In that moment, Robby was terrified because this could mean that he and his family had to move in order to survive. "It was then that I knew I had to take action," Robby said. He decided he had to pick up trash wherever he found it so that it wouldn't find its way into the streams and lakes, which would clog up our waterways and kill whatever lives in them.

Now Robby works with the Borough's recycling program. Carole Holden, chairperson of the Environmental Commission, said she can't believe how committed Robby is to recycling papers and plastics. "Since he's a nocturnal animal, Robby's picking up recyclable waste while we're asleep," Carole stated. "I hope residents come to meet this special little animal at the Franklin Lakes Annual Clean-Up Day...Robby will certainly be there doing his part."

When asked how he hopes to make a difference, Robby said, "I would like to encourage everyone in Franklin Lakes to put paper, bottles and cans into containers so that they will be recycled into something useful rather than further destroying our beautiful environment."