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 as well as the Department of Public Works at 973-762-1175 ext 2.
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, the Township does not provide a toter of any kind. Specific toters are not required. However, 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 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.
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