East Brunswick's Bulk Garbage Collection Service

Bulk garbage collection in East Brunswick, NJ, is a service provided by the local government to help residents dispose of large items that don't fit in their regular trash or recycling bins. This service is typically scheduled by appointment and has certain restrictions on the types and amounts of waste that can be collected. The Solid Waste & Recycling Division of the Department of Public Works handles bulk waste appointments and ensures that waste is collected and disposed of properly. Residents can schedule bulk pickups online or by contacting the Department of Public Works directly. It's important to note that there are specific guidelines for preparing bulk waste items, such as wrapping mattresses in plastic, and restrictions on certain construction materials like concrete and asphalt.

Bulk garbage collection scheduling

Bulk garbage collection is a service provided by the Department of Public Works in East Brunswick, New Jersey, to collect large or bulky items that don't fit into regular trash or recycling bins. This service is typically scheduled separately from regular garbage collection and often requires an appointment.

In East Brunswick, the Public Works department handles bulk garbage collection, ensuring that residents have a way to dispose of large items properly. The scheduling of bulk garbage collection can vary, but it is generally coordinated to occur after the regular trash collection day.

To schedule a bulk pickup in East Brunswick, residents can visit the official website and follow the provided instructions. The website offers a dedicated section for Solid Waste & Recycling, where residents can find information about bulk collection scheduling. It is important to note that bulk appointments are typically limited to a certain number per year for each address, and there may be volume restrictions per appointment.

When preparing for bulk garbage collection, it is essential to follow the guidelines provided by the Public Works department. This includes ensuring that items are properly packaged, wrapped, or bundled to facilitate easy handling and collection. For example, mattresses and box springs should be wrapped in plastic or placed in disposable plastic bags to be collected. Additionally, there may be specific instructions for preparing items such as carpeting, furniture, wooden fencing, construction materials, and sheeted glass.

It is worth noting that certain items, such as concrete, asphalt, and brick, may not be collected by the Public Works department and may require private disposal through a separate vendor. Residents are advised to refer to the Township Ordinance for detailed information on what can and cannot be placed at the curb for bulk garbage collection.

Items that are not collected

The bulk garbage collection service in East Brunswick, NJ, covers items that are too big to fit in your automated carts for curbside collection. Each residence is limited to 2 cubic yards of trash per pick-up and 5 bulk pickups per calendar year.

• Building or renovation materials.
• Concrete, asphalt, and brick are not collected and must be disposed of privately.
• Containers or materials designated for bulk curbside pick-up should not be at the street more than one day prior to the scheduled pick-up.
• Containers must not weigh more than 50 lbs or be larger than 32 gallons.
• Mattresses and box springs that are not wrapped in plastic or placed in disposable plastic bags with all exposed areas covered.
• Carpeting, sheet flooring, and similar materials that are not in lengths of 4 feet or less and securely tied in bundles no more than 2 feet thick and/or 40 pounds in weight.
• Large furniture items such as couches and mattresses can be placed curbside, but metal bed frames should be dismantled and will be picked up by appointment with the metal pick-up service.
• Wooden fencing that is not cut into lengths of 4 feet by 2 feet, with a limit of 3 panels per pickup.
• Lumber, shingles, wallboard, or other building materials that require a Township permit. These should be stacked and securely tied in bundles not exceeding 4 feet in length by 2 feet thick and/or 40 pounds per bundle. All protruding nails or sharp objects must be removed, and glass should be removed from window casings and packaged for disposal, free of sharp edges.
• Sheeted glass that is not broken up and placed in a sealed box clearly marked "glass".
• Hazardous waste, which can be dropped off at designated locations.
• Tree branches that are not bundled and no longer than 4 feet long and weighing no more than 50 lbs.
• Recyclables placed in trash containers.
• Bags used as recycling containers.
• Any items placed at the curb on holidays.

Preparation of bulk materials

Preparing your bulk materials properly is essential to ensure they are collected by the waste management service. Here are some detailed instructions on how to prepare your bulk materials for collection in East Brunswick, NJ:

• Separate Bulk Waste and Regular Trash: Separate bulk waste items from your regular trash. Bulk waste refers to large items that don't fit in your regular trash bins, such as furniture, appliances, and yard waste.
• Bag Smaller Items: Place smaller items in trash bags or cans. This includes items such as grass clippings, leaves, and other small debris. Ensure that bags are securely tied and not overflowing.
• Containerize Loose Items: Avoid leaving items in loose piles. Place smaller loose items, such as bundled branches or scrap metal, into containers like trash cans or bags. For larger loose items, such as carpeting, cut, roll, and securely tie them into bundles.
• Prepare Glass Items: If you have glass items, box them up securely and label the box as "GLASS." Keep the boxes under 2 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft in dimension.
• Separate Green Waste and Bulk Items: Create separate piles for green waste (yard trimmings, branches, grass) and bulk items. This separation allows for different trucks to collect the materials efficiently.
• Placement and Timing: Place your bulk items at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your regular collection day. For homes with alleys, place the items along the alley side of your property line without blocking the alley. For homes without alleys, place the items along the front curb. Ensure that you adhere to the designated bulk collection week for your area.
• Size Limitations: Be mindful of size limitations for piles. Piles should not exceed 10 ft in length, 6 ft in width, and 4 ft in height.
• Prohibited Items: Do not include prohibited items, such as construction debris, hazardous waste, dirt, concrete, tires, engines, auto parts, or unboxed glass. These items require separate disposal methods.
• Special Instructions for Electronics and Appliances: Covered electronic devices, appliances, and tires are collected separately for recycling. Keep these items clearly visible and separate from the main trash pile. There may be limits on the number of appliances that can be disposed of during each bulk waste collection.
• Oversized Items: For particularly large items, such as pianos or very large furniture, contact the waste management company ahead of time to determine if their collection vehicles can accommodate the items.
• Donate Usable Items: Before discarding, consider donating usable household items to local charities or organizations. This helps extend the life of these items and benefits those in need.

Collection of branches

The collection of branches is a separate process from the regular solid waste collection in East Brunswick, New Jersey. The town's Office of Recycling handles the collection of branches, and residents must follow specific guidelines for a successful pickup.

Firstly, residents must call the Office of Recycling at 732-390-6984 to be added to the collection list. It is important to submit your information by Friday before the third week of the month to secure your spot on the schedule.

Once on the schedule, there are specific requirements for preparing branches for collection. Branches must be tied and bundled, with each bundle measuring no longer than 4 feet in length and weighing no more than 50 lbs. It is important to note that branches should not be placed in biodegradable bags or containers.

For those who miss the collection or prefer an alternative option, the Recycling Center accepts drop-offs of unbundled branches. This service is available Monday through Saturday from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. However, it is crucial to remember that only East Brunswick residents with proper ID are permitted to use this service.

The guidelines for branch collection in East Brunswick, NJ, are designed to ensure an efficient and safe process for both residents and the collection crew. By following these simple instructions, residents can conveniently dispose of their branches, contributing to a cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing community.

Recycling guidelines

Recycling is mandatory in the State of New Jersey, and East Brunswick has a number of guidelines and services to help residents recycle properly.

• Paper and cardboard: East Brunswick's Public Works Department provides curbside pickup of mixed paper and cardboard products every other week.
• Plastic and glass: Plastic bottles, containers, bags, and product wraps can be recycled. Glass bottles and containers can also be recycled. Rinse and remove caps before placing them in a designated recycling container for curbside pickup.
• Clothing: Goodwill, located on Route 18, accepts gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories. Children's clothing with drawstrings, metal, or painted appliques is not accepted.
• Toys: Donate to Toys for Tots or visit www.donationtown.org or repurposenj to find other places to donate.
• Electronics, computers, and cell phones: The Middlesex County Department of Solid Waste Management's "E-Cycle" program accepts electronics such as phones, televisions, computers, and fluorescent light bulbs. They are located at Sims Recycling Solutions in Edison and are open on the first Saturday of every month and the third Monday of every month.
• Household goods: Consider bartering or donating items. The Better World Cafe, a community kitchen, often requests donations of supplies for their kitchen.
• Paint: Leftover latex paint can be dried with kitty litter and disposed of in the garbage, but oil-based paints are considered hazardous and must be discarded safely. Old paint can be brought to the East Brunswick Reclamation Center, open Monday through Saturday from 8 am to 4 pm.

What not to do:

• Do not place recyclables in the trash.
• Do not use bags as recycling containers.
• Do not place trash in recycling containers.
• Do not recycle on holidays.

Other notes:

• Residents must call the Department of Public Works to arrange for the collection of bulk items or additional solid waste material.
• Recycling containers are provided by the Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA) and can be picked up at DPW on Jersey Avenue.
• Recycling is for residential materials only. Building or renovation materials are not permitted.

Frequently asked questions