Recycling

Maplewood Curbside Recycling 2024

Any Maplewood residents with recycling concerns should call (973) 762-8120 x3300 and leave a message. All messages are automatically forwarded via email to DPW Administration, who will be checking them and responding within 24 to 48 hours.

Starting in January 2023, recycling materials will need to be separated into two categories for two distinct pickups on alternating weeks. One week’s pickup will be exclusively for Fibers (cardboard, paper) and the following week’s pickup will be for Commingled (plastic, glass, and metal containers). Cross-contaminated recycling loads or materials put out on the wrong week will not be picked up. For more information on what materials can and cannot be recycled, please reference the FAQ section at the bottom of this page.

The revised curbside pickup rhythm will begin each week in Maplewood (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) and finish up each week in South Orange (Thursday and Friday). Maplewood's Monday pickups will take place for all households in Sections 1 and 2, including all households along Elmwood Avenue. Maplewood's Tuesday pickups will take place for all households in Sections 3 and 4, including all households along Valley Street and all households on Prospect Street to the north of Springfield Ave. Maplewood's Wednesday pickups will take place for all households in sections 5 and 6. A detailed map of all Township sections and 2024 full recycling calendar to be provided. For additional information, please see the FAQ section at the bottom of the page.

2024 Maplewood Curbside Recycling Schedule

Recycling FAQs

How do I report a missed pickup?

First check your toter for a tag that explains if your toter was not picked up
due to a contamination problem. If there is no tag, contact our hauler F.
Basso, Jr. Rubbish Removal at (973) 483-1671.

What are my options if I miss a pickup or the load is rejected due to contamination?

You can wait until the next scheduled pickup (of the same type, fiber or
commingled) or you can bring it to the DPW Recycling Center during operating hours. If the load has been rejected due to contamination, be sure to remove the contaminating items and put them in the trash.

What does “contamination” mean?

It can mean a number of things. In our dual stream system it can mean having paper in your toter on a commingled pickup week, or it can mean having plastics numbered 3,4,6, or 7 (which we don’t accept) in your commingled pickup. It can also mean putting things in the toter which should never be there (garden hoses, plastics with no number, broken glass, etc). The two most common forms of contamination are plastic bags and moisture (from rain or food). When in doubt, throw it out (in the trash). Never include batteries, plastic bags, plastic film, hoses, broken glass, polystyrene foam, wood, food waste, corks, clothing, aerosol cans under pressure, motor oil containers, ceramic plates, cups and mugs.

Will I be given another Toter?

No additional toters will be provided. Specific toters are not required, but closed hard plastic containers are highly recommended. Plastic bags are NOT acceptable and will not be picked up. We suggest collecting/sorting materials indoors and only putting those materials in the toter/container that are to be picked up that week (fiber or commingled).

What time of day is my recycling picked up?

It could be anytime during the day of your pickup depending on how smoothly the route goes for the hauler that day. We suggest putting your toter out to the curb the night before.

What if my pickup day falls on a holiday? Snow day?

F. Basso, Jr. Rubbish Removal observes the following major holidays: New Years Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. These are the ONLY holidays that impact the recycling pickup schedule.

If your pickup day falls on a major holiday, then pickup will be made on the next non-holiday pickup day. For instance, in Maplewood, if your pickup day is Monday, Memorial Day pickup would be the Tuesday after Memorial Day.

Snow and weather delays depend on the seriousness of the event. Check with the hauler for updates related to our community and your neighborhood:

F. Basso, Jr. Rubbish Removal at (973) 483-1671

Why are there different pickup weeks for different materials?

Curbside pickup is now dual stream. Meaning that recyclable materials need to be separated for two distinct pickups on alternating weeks: one week exclusively for Fibers (cardboard, paper) and the next week for Commingled (plastic, glass, and metal containers). Cross-contaminated loads or materials put out on the wrong week will not be picked up. The dual stream process avoids cross contamination of recyclables and the town is charged a lower rate meaning that more of what is recyclable actually gets recycled more cost effectively.

What are some examples of acceptable FIBER materials for curbside recycling?

Corrugated Cardboard
Boxboard (flattened cereal boxes, etc.)
Paper Bags
Junk Mail (including window envelopes)
Office Paper
Newspapers & Magazines
Corrugated Brown Pizza Boxes (no grease, food & liner removed)

What are some examples of acceptable COMMINGLED materials for curbside recycling?

#1, 2, & 5 Plastic Containers & Bottles with Caps
Glass Bottles (Any Color) & Jars with Lids
Aluminum Cans, Pie Tins, & Catering Trays
Steel/Tin Food Cans
Gable Top Cartons (orange juice, milk, aseptic packaging)
Juice Boxes (TetraPak)

What are some examples of UNACCEPTABLE curbside recycling materials?

Any materials with food or greasy residues
Any pizza boxes made of materials other than clean, corrugated brown cardboard
Wax cardboard (produce protection)
Paper/cardboard egg cartons
Cardboard tubes and packaging padding
Plastics #3, 4, 6, & 7
Plastics without any recycling numbers
Plastic bags and film
Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam)
Batteries, especially lithium
Aerosol cans (pressurized)
Aluminum foil
Electronics
Hoses
Ropes
Wires
Wood
Stickers
Corks
Clothing
Motor Oil Containers
Electrical and mechanical toy
Light Bulbs
Mirrors
Window glass
Ceramics
Food waste
Medical waste
Hazardous waste
Poisonous waste

Why can’t I recycle all plastics (#1-7) curbside?

Only plastics marked 1, 2, & 5 are accepted in our curbside recycling program and at our DPW facility. The market for recycling numbers 3, 4, 6, & 7 is not sufficient to make them cost-effective for collection. We suggest decreasing your use of these single use plastics.

What if a material isn't included on the above lists?

When in doubt, THROW IT OUT. If you aren't certain whether or not a material is recyclable, don't recycle it. This helps to limit recycling contamination.

How do I recycle items that can’t go in curbside bins?

You can bring some items directly to the DPW recycling center at 359 Boyden Avenue and self-sort them for recycling. The recycling center is open from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm on weekdays and 8:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturdays. The center is closed on Sundays. For a list of items accepted at the DPW recycling center, please see the informational tabs at the bottom of this page.

Have a question that wasn't answered here? Please Contact the Maplewood Department of Public Works at (973) 762-1175.

Recycling Center

About

The Department of Public Works recycling center is for Maplewood residential use only. All commercial or institutional sources should enter into contracts or otherwise arrange for the disposal of recyclable materials by means of private disposal. At no time should any commercial or institutional source leave recyclable materials at the curb, or dispose of materials at the Department of Public Works.

Visit Us

359 Boyden Avenue Maplewood, NJ 07040

Weekdays 8:00 am to 3:00 pm

Saturdays 8:00 am to 12:00 pm

Closed Sundays

Electronics Recycling

The Maplewood Department of Public Works facility at 359 Boyden Avenue accepts electronics for recycling from Maplewood and South Orange residents during regular facility hours.

Please utilize the large container labeled for electronic recycling on the left side of the Department of Public Works recycling center as you pull in our gates. The back of the container is open--please walk your items into the container as far back as possible.

Maplewood residents may also recycle their electronics in South Orange at 300 Walton Road on the specified collection dates provided on their website.

Electronic Items Accepted at the Maplewood Recycling Center:

Electronic Items Not Accepted at the Maplewood Recycling Center:

Alkaline Batteries
Household Hazardous Waste
Materials Containing Liquids
Radioactive materials
PCB Containing Materials
CDs, DVDs, VHS Tapes, or Cassette Tapes
Light Bulbs (LED, CFL, Incandescent)
Scavenged CRT TV's Monitors (containing broken glass or broken housing)
Mercury Containing Devices (thermostats, medical devices, thermometers)

Additional Resources:

List of Acceptable and Unacceptable Electronic Items

Scrap Metal, Oils, Used Clothing, Paint & More

In addition to commonplace items such as cardboard, aluminum, and glass/plastic bottles, we also recycle other materials at the Department of Public Works:

Paint Disposal

Click here for a guide to safe paint disposal: Safe Paint Disposal Maplewood

Air Conditioner Disposal

Residents may dispose of air conditioners at the public works recycling center without removing any remaining Freon from the unit. All air conditioner units dropped off at the public works yard are to be placed on the curb beside the yellow canister used to recycle motor oil.

Battery Disposal

Regular batteries are no longer accepted for recycling; please dispose of regular batteries in your curbside garbage.

Cooking Oil

Pouring used cooking oil down your kitchen sink, or toilet, will lead to blockages in your plumbing system, as well as the Township’s sewer system. When a blockage happens, it could lead to sewage backing up into your, or a neighbors home. There is a large container at the DPW recycling center in which you can easily dispose of your used cooking oil in a safe and eco-friendly method.

Motor Oil

Motor oil can be disposed of in a large yellow canister at the DPW recycling center.

Used Clothing Drop-Off Shed

Used clothing is accepted at the DPW recycling center. Receipts are available so donated clothing can be claimed as a tax deduction.

Clothing Items Accepted at the Maplewood Recycling Center:

Clothing Items Not Accepted at the Maplewood Recycling Center:

Rags
Undergarments
Fabric Scraps
Toys
Household Goods

Please keep in mind air conditioner, battery, clothing, and oil recycling services are drop-off only. This feature is for residential use only; commercial businesses are not permitted to dispose of any materials at the public works yard.

Scrap Metal Disposal

Scrap metal can be left next to the yellow canister marked for oil disposal at the DPW recycling center. If the item is too large or heavy for you to transport, please call the Department of Public Works at (973) 762-1175 to schedule a curbside pickup.

Washing Machines & Dishwashers

If you cannot transport the item yourself, the Maplewood Department of Public Works will pick up old washing machines and dishwashers. Simply call us at (973) 762-1175 to schedule an appointment for pick up. Once the appointment is set please be sure to place the item curbside the night prior to pick up.