Recycling Collection Rules

HOUSEHOLD COLLECTION

Garbage shall be placed at the curb in sturdy covered garbage container. Please place your solid waste out after 5:00 pm the night before your scheduled pick up day.

BULK WASTE

ONLY 3 PIECES PER HOUSEHOLD PER WEEK

Garbage should be placed at the curb in a sturdy covered garbage container. Please place your solid waste out after 5:00 pm the night before your scheduled pick up day. Such as furniture, wood, mattresses, box springs, play equipment, microwave ovens, etc. Shall be placed at the curb on the scheduled weekly day for bulky waste pick‐up. Do not place bulk waste in cardboard boxes, use plastic bags. Wood must be tied and bundled no longer than four (4) feet, and no heavier than 50 lbs per bundle. Carpet must be tied and bundled no longer than four (4) feet, and no heavier than 50 lbs per bundle. Each carpet bundle is considered one (1) bulk item. Concrete, asphalt, rock, dirt, tree logs, or construction material will not be collected; all renovation materials must be disposed of privately.

MIXED PAPER

Mixed paper includes magazines, glossy catalogs, envelopes, coupon and color newspaper inserts, not book paper, construction paper, white and colored paper, fax paper, and computer paper. Mixed paper must be tied and bundled, or placed in a brown paper bag at the curb along with newspaper and cardboard. Do not include other material, such as telephone books or cereal boxes.

CORRUGATED CARDBOARD

Cardboard boxes must be flattened, tied with twine in bundles not more than 12" high, not more than 25 lbs. Per bundle.

Cardboard will be collected every other week. Check your color coded calendar below for material collection schedule

COMMINGLE MATERIALS

(Plastic bottles, cans, glass bottles)this category consists of glass bottles and jars, aluminum cans, tin cans and plastic bottles. All materials should be rinsed well, and placed in a sturdy open container.

GRASS/LEAVES COLLECTION

Grass and leaves must be placed in an open container (garbage can-32 gallon or less) or in biodegradable bags- no plastic bags will be collected brush and twigs may be placed at the curb tied and bundled no longer than four (4) feet and no heavier than 50 lbs. Per bundle. THROUGH GRASS COLLECTION SEASON: Brush is collected with grass.

ELECTRONICS

Drop off covered electronics (tv’s, desktop faxes, copiers, VCR, keyboards, and computer towers) at d.p.w. or throughout the collection program offered by the county of union. For information call 908 686 1922 Monday thru Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm -if you wish to dispose a large television (must be over 50 inches) please contact public works for an appointment and assistance. Additionally, union DPW accepts electronics 24/7 at convenience center.

APPLIANCES

The following items will be picked up by appointment only by calling the department of public works at (908) 686 1922 washing machines, dryers, stoves, air conditioners, hot water heaters, freezers, refrigerators, cast iron, and steel tubs. There will be one (1) pick up per month per household with a limit of two (2) pieces per household. Appointments will not be accepted through our recording system. You must speak directly with a receptionist and receive a confirmation number.

PAINTS

Oil based paints- may be disposed of during any of the union county special waste disposal days. For further information on locations and dates, please call the union county recycling at ucnj.org. 

Water based paints: Dispose of at the curb, if the lids have been removed and the paint is completely dry. Residents must insure that all paint cans are dry and empty.