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 (359 Boyden Avenue) 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. 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, FIND OUT (by scanning the lists on this page) or THROW IT OUT (in the trash). Never include batteries, plastic bags, plastic film, hoses, broken glass, polystyrene foam (i.e. Styrofoam), wood, food waste, corks, clothing, aerosol cans under pressure, motor oil containers, ceramic plates, cups, and mugs.
How do I report a missed pickup?
If your toter was not picked up contact our hauler F. Basso, Jr. Rubbish Removal at (973) 483-1671 and the Department of Public Works at 973-762-1175 ext 2.
Will I be given a 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?
We suggest putting your toter out to the curb the night before. Your recycling could be anytime during the day of your pickup depending on how smoothly the route goes for the hauler that day.
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.
What are some examples of acceptable FIBER materials for curbside recycling?
- Corrugated Cardboard (flattened)
- Boxboard (flattened)
- Paper Bags
- Junk Mail (including window envelopes)
- Office Paper
- Newspapers & Magazines
- Corrugated Pizza Boxes (no grease; food & liner removed)
- Gable Top Cartons (e.g. orange juice cartons, milk cartons, etc.)
- TetraPaks (aseptic containers designed to store liquids without refrigeration for up to 12 months — e.g. broth boxes, shelf-stable milk boxes, juice boxes, etc.)
What are some examples of acceptable COMMINGLED materials for curbside recycling?
- #1-7 Plastic Bottles with Caps
- #1-7 Plastic Containers
- Glass Bottles (any color)
- Jars with Lids
- Aluminum Cans, Pie Tins & Catering Trays
- Steel/Tin Food Cans
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 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 & poisonous waste
Plastics (#1-7) curbside?
Plastics marked 1-7 are accepted in our curbside recycling program and at our DPW facility (unless specifically mentioned in our "unacceptable" curbside recycling materials).
What if a material isn't included on the above lists?
When in doubt, FIND OUT (by scanning the lists on this page) or THROW IT OUT (in the trash). 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 cannot 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.
