CURBSIDE COLLECTION:

Containers:

Containers used for single-stream collection in the MCIA's program include:

  • A round blue container 

Write your name and address on the containers. Place your recyclables in the containers and put the containers out on the curb before 6:00 AM on your collection day.

 

Collection times are subject to change, and all materials must be ready for pick-up by 6:00 AM.

 

Not Accepted:

Recyclables in plastic bags.

Recyclables in containers not at the curb, such as those left near the house, garage or at the top of the driveway.

 

Replacement Containers: If your containers are lost, stolen or broken, replacement containers can be purchased from your municipal recycling coordinator. Call 732-521-4946 ext.100.

New Residents: Contact your municipal recycling coordinator within three months of moving in to obtain free containers. Call 732-521-4946 ext.100.

THE NEW REUSE-IT BOOK:                                                                                                                                           

The New Reuse-It Book is a guide to area locations where Middlesex County residents can freecycle or donate their unwanted goods for reuse. A copy of the guide is available under the Recycling section of forms.


E-CYCLING:                                                                                                                                                                       

By law, most consumer electronics, including personal computers (desktops and laptops), monitors, keyboards, scanners, modems, printers, cables and televisions are not allowed in the trash. Check with your municipality’s Department of Public Works (732-521-4946 ext.110) to inquire if they maintain a recycling drop-off and if these items are acceptable. For additional drop off locations, please contact the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection at (866) 337-5669 or the Middlesex County Division of Solid Waste Management at (732) 745-4170.

 

NEWSPAPER & MIXED PAPER:

Newspaper, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, brown paper bags, nonmetallic wrapping paper, office records, computer paper, file folders, receipts, telephone books, softcover books, hardcover books, greeting cards, paperboard, such as non-wax-coated food and cereal boxes, pizza boxes, tissue boxes, shoe boxes and gift boxes.

If you have more newspaper and mixed paper than you can fit in your container, place the overflow in brown paper grocery bags (not plastic grocery bags). Additional newspaper may be bundled, tied and placed next to your container.

NOT ACCEPTED!
• Newspaper and mixed paper in plastic bags or paper leaf bags

 

CARDBOARD / PAPERBOARD:

Corrugated cardboard, layered cardboard with a center that is shaped into ridges, folds or grooves (such as shipping boxes and the packaging for most appliances or larger household items). Flatten, bundle and securely tie the cardboard and tie the sheets into stacks no larger than 48 inches square and 12 inches high. These items may be placed next to recycling containers.

NOT ACCEPTED!
• Cardboard in bundles larger than 48 inches square
• Cardboard in plastic bags


NOTE: The maximum number of recycling bundles of cardboard and/or paper bags of mixed paper that the collector will pick up from individual households, each collection, is six (6)

 

 

CANS, BOTTLES AND PLASTIC:

COMMINGLED RECYCLABLES

Place metal cans, glass and plastic bottles in an appropriate container. Any overflow can be placed in your own unlidded plastic or metal container (no larger than 32 gallons in capacity or exceeding 50 pounds in weight). Please do not overfill containers.

Metal: Tin, steel, aluminum and bimetal cans (such as soda, beer, canned pet food, soup and tuna cans). Rinse the cans and crush them to maximize capacity. We take the lids too.

Glass: Glass bottles and jars of all colors (such as juice, soda, beer and liquor bottles, mayonnaise and spaghetti sauce jars). Rinse the bottles and jars. Remove and dispose of lids.

Plastic: #1 PETE and #2 HDPE containers (such as milk and juice jugs, water bottles, laundry detergent, shampoo and soda bottles). Check the bottom of the container to make sure the plastic is either #1 PETE or #2 HDPE. Rinse the containers and crush them to maximize capacity. Remove and dispose of caps.


NOT ACCEPTED!
• drinking glasses
• window glass
• mirrors
• Pyrex® glassware
• light bulbs 
• plastic toys
• plastic packaging
• aluminum foil
• gardening or garage plastics
• polystyrene or Styrofoam™ (such as plastic cups or food trays)

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS:                                                                                                                                

(732) 521-4946 ext. 110 Supervisor Paul Reed, Department of Public Works
(732) 521-4946 ext. 100 Sandra Bohinski and Dave Sliker, Recycling Coordinators
Recycling Hotline: (800) 488-6242 (MCIA) for curbside recycling collection, service matters & general information.

WEATHER EMERGENCIES:                                                                                                                                            

Check with the DPW at (732) 521-4946 ext. 110 for changes in collection schedules due to weather emergencies or other emergency situations. You may also check for changes on the website at www.mciauth.com or by calling (800) 488- 6242 (MCIA) for specific information. 


LEAVES, BRUSH & GRASS:                                                                                                                                         

LEAVES are collected curbside. Put leaves in biodegradable bags and place them at the curb Monday - Friday. For more information, call (732) 521-4946 ext. 110.

BRUSH must be placed curbside in manageable sections for pick up Monday – Friday. Call (732) 521-4946 ext. 110 with any questions.

GRASS CLIPPINGS can be placed out with household garbage for pick up on Friday however we would encourage you to leave the grass clippings on the lawn for natural fertilization. Avoid time-consuming raking and the expense of bagging your grass clippings. Call the MCIA recycling hotline for more information (800-488-6242).



SPECIAL ITEMS:                                                                                                                                                               

HELMETTA’S RECYCLING DROP-OFF CENTER is located at 51 Main Street. It is open 7 a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday - Friday and 7 a.m. – 12 p.m. (noon) on the first and third Saturday of the month.

WHITE GOODS/APPLIANCES are collected as needed. Call (732) 521-4946 ext. 110 to arrange a pick-up or you can drop it off behind 51 Main St by the red “BEACON” container.

ELECTRONICS including computers, monitors, CPUs, printers, scanners, modems, cables, keyboards, televisions, irons, fluorescent lightbulbs, thermostats, and thermometers (containing mercury) can be dropped off at your convenience at 51 Main St by the white container. (It is locked, please leave it on the side).

 AUTO TIRES can be dropped off behind 51 Main St by the 3 containers.

COUNTY PROGRAMS                                                                                                                                                  

Please refer to the MCIA staff at 1-800-488-6242 (MCIA) or at www.mciauth.com for more information on:

• Household Hazardouse Waste
• Paint Drop Off
• Compost Bins
• Paper Shredding 
• Tire Disposal

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS                                                                                                                         

WHAT IF MY COLLECTION DAY FALLS ON A HOLIDAY?
If your collection day falls on any of these holidays - New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas - collection is rescheduled for the following Saturday. Check your municipal collection schedule in this brochure for specific dates.

Recycling collection is not affected by municipal public works holidays such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lincoln’s Birthday, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Columbus Day, Election Day or Veterans Day. Recycling collections will take place on those days.

WHAT DO THE STICKERS ON MY RECYCLABLE ITEMS MEAN?
These are rejection stickers. The most common reasons for rejection are:
• Trash mixed in with recyclables
• Containers larger than 32 gallons
• Recyclables in plastic bags
• Cardboard not properly prepared

Only recyclables that are properly prepared will be collected.

WHAT IF MY RECYCLABLES WERE NOT COLLECTED?
Your recyclables should be placed curbside the night before your scheduled pick-up or by 6 a.m. on the day of the pickup. Collection times are subject to change, and all material must be ready for pick-up by 6 a.m. If your recyclables were out at the curb on time and were not collected, leave the recycling at the curb and call us within 24 hours. If you delay calling, your recyclables may not be picked up until your next collection date.

 2023 RECYCLING GUIDE