In 2021, Dunellen residents will continue to have curbside recycling pickups every other Wednesday by the Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA). As in recent years, the updated informational brochure is available only via a downloadable pdf file.
All curbside recyclable items, such as bottles, cans, paper and small flat cardboard can be mixed together in a single recycling container as they are kept separate from trash. However, recycling placed in plastic bags will not be collected. Recycling must be placed curbside prior to 6am.
Blue containers with the Middlesex County logo are to be used. New Dunellen home owners can contact the municipal recycling coordinator within three months of moving in to obtain a free container (Dunellen Department of Public Works, 732-968-5455). Label containers with name and address. If containers are lost, stolen, or broken, replacement containers can be purchased at the Dunellen Recycling Yard (235 Hall Street).
Overflow can be placed in uncovered plastic or metal containers 32 gallons or smaller and not more than 50 lbs. Overflow of paper can be placed in brown paper grocery bags (NO PLASTIC BAGS). Additional newspaper may be bundled, tied, and placed next to your container. Do not overfill containers.
Recyclables will not be collected if they are not curbside. Only recyclables that are properly prepared will be collected. You may receive a rejection sticker and the collection skipped otherwise.
A recycling app called Recycling Coach is available in both Apple and Google app stores. It provides a personalized recycling calendar and additional guidance. You can also report issues with the recycling program such as missed pickup on the MCIA website. As in past years, recycling reminders are available by “liking” Dunellen411 on Facebook. For information on how to reuse items, Middlesex County has a free book available.
Middlesex County Improvement Authority
MATERIALS ACCEPTED FOR CURBSIDE COLLECTION
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 (remove cover), greeting cards, paperboard (such as non-waxcoated food and cereal boxes), tissue boxes, and shoe boxes. Corrugated and layered cardboard shaped into ridges, folds, or grooves (such as shipping boxes and packaging for most appliances) can be bundled. Flatten, bundle, and securely tie the cardboard and sheets into stacks no larger than 48 inches square and 12 inches high. CARDBOARD IN PLASTIC BAGS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
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).
Metal: Rinsedin, steel, aluminum and bimetal cans (such as soda, beer, canned pet food, soup and tuna cans).
Glass: Rinsed glass bottles and jars of all colors (such as juice, soda, beer and liquor bottles, mayonnaise and spaghetti sauce jars). Remove and dispose lids.
Plastic: #1 PETE and #2 HDPE containers (such as milk and juice jugs, water bottles, laundry detergent, shampoo and soda bottles). Crush to maximize capacity and do not include caps in the recycling container.
MATERIALS NOT ACCEPTED FOR CURBSIDE COLLECTION
• Plastic bags
• Shredded paper (Use in your compost. Bins are available for purchase from MCIA. There are also shredding events around the county)
• Plastics coded #3 or #7 (plastic toys, plastic packaging)
• Styrofoam (see special collection)
• Tanglers (garden hoses, electric cords)
• Pots, pans and mall appliances
• Greasy or food contaminated items (including pizza boxes, plastic cups or food trays)
• Syringes, batteries, bulbs
• Dishware, glass, mirrors
• Aluminum foil
Dunellen residents may also dump additional recycling materials at the Dunellen Recycling Yard (235 Hall Street). These include curbside recyclables, white goods/appliances, scrap metal, auto motor oil, and rigid plastics. Tires are not accepted (They are accepted at other Middlesex County sites). The yard’s hours of operation are 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday through Saturday. It is closed on Sundays and holidays.
Paint is accepted every second Saturday. Acceptable items include latex (water based) paint, oil based paint, stains, varnishes, lacquers, thinners, spray paint (aerosol) and driveway sealer. Items must be labeled. Unacceptable items include empty containers or latex paint that is dried out. These may be disposed of with your regular trash.
Leaves will be collected weekly, October to December and April to May. Leaves must be bagged in biodegradable leaf bags, available from October 1 to December 15 from the recycling yard, and then placed curbside. No other method can be used or the leaves will not be collected. Paper leaf bags are available at the Borough Garage/ Recycling Center, during normal business hours or on Wednesday evenings at the Library from October 1 to November 19 (limit: 20 bags per resident). Leaf bags will not be handed out any sooner than October 1.
Tree limbs will be collected only during the months of March, April and September. Limbs should not be more than 6 inches in diameter and should be in bundles no longer than 4 feet in length. Limbs, logs and roots can be dropped off at the Recycling Drop-off Center year-round. Roots must be free of dirt. Clippings, yard waste, and grass must be brought to the Recycling Drop-off Center either loose or bagged in biodegradable bags. Residents must empty grass clippings that are in plastic bags into the specified dumpster. Residents may keep plastic bags for reuse or place them in the separate trash container. Grass will not be picked-up curbside.
Metal/ white goods/ appliances including refrigerators and air conditioners are collected curbside by appointment only on the third Wednesday of the month. Call (732) 968-5455 to arrange for a pick-up.
Did your recycling not get picked up?
Check to make sure if:
• It’s your day or week and/or your recycling was put out by the curb no later than 6 a.m.
• Your entire street’s recycling has been affected
• A container no larger than 32 gallon has been used
• No unapproved items are mixed in with your recycling
• Your recycling was not placed in plastic bags, which are not permitted
If you still have a concern, comment or question regarding your recycling pick-up, check and see if there are any emergency situations (www.mciauth.com), call 800-488-6242 or send an email to mciarecycling@mciauth.com, making sure to leave a name, address and telephone number in the body of the message.
2021 CURBSIDE COLLECTION SCHEDULE – ALTERNATE WEDNESDAYS
January 6, 20
February 3, 17
March 3, 17, 31
April 14, 28
May 12, 26
June 9, 23
July 7, 21
August 4, 18
September 1, 15, 29
October 13, 27
November 10, 24
December 8, 22