All store-based businesses in Gloucester are expected to meet the March 15 deadline for the county’s mandatory annual business recycling forms, Clean Community coordinator William Bell said.

Home-based businesses are not required to submit a recycling form, Bell said, but he expects many of them take part in residential recycling efforts here.

The state requires local governments to submit documented recycling and waste disposal information to determine if mandated recycling rates have been met.

The current form to be filled in is for calendar year 2011, he said. Last year, Gloucester’s recycling rate fell to 28.9 percent from 32 percent in 2009.

Bell said the businesses that don’t recycle which received a form in the mail must return them and simply check the "do not recycle" box.

If the business has its recyclables hauled to a Gloucester convenience center, it can check one box so that number can be included with the Waste Management total.

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