New Brunswick, Nj: Where Does The Refuse Go?

The city of New Brunswick, New Jersey, provides its residents with trash and recycling information, including how to obtain a recycling bin, what materials are accepted, and the collection schedule. The city also offers bulk pickup services for large items that don't fit in the standard trash or recycling bins, such as furniture and appliances. However, the specific destination of the refuse from New Brunswick, NJ, is not explicitly mentioned. It is likely that the waste is transported to designated landfills or waste management facilities, but the exact location is not provided in the sources.

Bulk waste collection

The City of New Brunswick, New Jersey, offers bulk waste collection services to its residents. To schedule a bulk pickup, residents can visit the city's website or contact the Department of Public Works at (732) 745-5104. Each residence is limited to five bulk pickups per calendar year and a volume limit of 2 cubic yards per pickup, which is roughly equivalent to the contents of four 95-gallon trash containers or 3 feet x 3 feet x 6 feet in dimensions.

For those with once-a-week, automated trash collection, bulk waste is picked up by appointment the day after the normal trash day. Residents with twice-a-week, manual trash collection are advised to call the Department of Public Works for more information. Bulk appointments are based on trash collection zones, with Zone 1 on Wednesday, Zone 2 on Friday, and Zone 3 on Monday.

It is important to note that bulk waste does not include "white goods" (appliances) or items that are predominantly metal. These items require a separate appointment for collection. Additionally, bulk materials or debris resulting from permitted work must be disposed of privately and will not be picked up by the Department of Public Works.

To prepare bulk waste for collection, residents should ensure that items are properly packaged and do not exceed specified volume limits. Mattresses and box springs, for example, must be wrapped in plastic or placed in disposable plastic bags, covering all exposed areas. Carpeting and similar materials must be cut into manageable lengths, securely tied in bundles, and not exceed weight limits.

The City of New Brunswick also provides guidelines for the disposal of other special items, such as appliances, scrap metal, brush, Christmas trees, and household hazardous waste. Residents can refer to the city's website or contact the Department of Public Works for detailed information on bulk waste collection and proper waste management procedures.

Recycling guidelines

Recycling is mandatory in New Jersey, and there are strict rules about what can and cannot be recycled. The City of New Brunswick provides recycling containers for specified recyclable materials. These containers are provided by the Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA) and can be collected from DPW on Jersey Avenue.

Recyclables will be collected between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM on the assigned date for your zone. All recyclables must be placed curbside after 5:00 PM the evening before the scheduled collection or by 6:00 AM on the day of collection. No bags are permitted as recycling containers and will not be collected.

• Containers: Only use the recycling containers provided by the MCIA. Do not use bags as these will not be collected.
• Timing: Place your recyclables out for collection after 5:00 PM the evening before your scheduled collection day, or by 6:00 AM on the day of collection.
• Restrictions: No recyclables will be collected on holidays. Check the Collection Schedule for more information.
• Bulk Items: Bulk pick-up is available for items that are too big to place in your automated carts for curbside collection. This service is by appointment only and is limited to 2 cubic yards of trash and 5 bulk pickups per calendar year.
• Hazardous Waste: Hazardous waste, such as motor oil, cooking oil, grease, and tires, must be disposed of at a Hazardous Waste Recycling Center.
• Appliances: Large appliances are handled by Recycling. See the Special Recycling Guidelines for more information.
• Mattresses: Mattresses and box springs must be wrapped in plastic or placed in disposable plastic bags for collection.
• Grass Clippings: Grass clippings should be bagged and placed out with the regular garbage or recycled through grasscycling.
• Leaves: Leaves are banned from landfills and must be recycled. Check the local newspaper or the Leaf Schedule for scheduled pick-up days.
• Branches: Branches must be recycled by bringing them to the Township's drop-off convenience center located behind Sondek Park, open Monday to Saturday from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the New Brunswick website, which provides a comprehensive list of guidelines and restrictions for trash and recycling.

Hazardous waste disposal

The City of New Brunswick, New Jersey, provides its residents with information on trash and recycling, including guidelines on how to dispose of hazardous waste properly.

Household Hazardous Waste

The City of New Brunswick provides residents with opportunities to dispose of household hazardous waste safely and responsibly. Hazardous waste drop-off events are held multiple times a year at various locations throughout Middlesex County. This service is free of charge and open to all county residents. Acceptable items for disposal include adhesives, aerosol cans, antifreeze, brake fluid, car batteries, cleaners, drain cleaners, fire extinguishers, flares, fluorescent bulbs (unbroken), gasoline, gas/oil mix, kerosene, lighter fluid, mercury, propane tanks, stains/varnishes, thermometers, and thermostats.

Battery Disposal

Both rechargeable and button-cell batteries are accepted at hazardous waste drop-off events. However, it is essential to properly secure these batteries before transport. Each battery should be individually bagged or have its terminal end taped. Alkaline batteries, on the other hand, can be disposed of in regular trash.

Asbestos-Containing Materials

The disposal of asbestos-containing materials requires special attention. Residents must call ahead and pre-register any asbestos-containing waste. Additionally, these materials must be double-bagged for disposal.

Paint Disposal

Paint drop-off days are typically scheduled on weekends, from 8 am to noon, at various locations. This service is free and open to Township and county residents. Acceptable items include latex (water-based) paint, oil-based paint, stains, varnishes, lacquers, thinners, spray paint (aerosol), and driveway sealer. All items must be labeled. Empty containers or dried-out latex paint are not accepted. Residents can dispose of empty and completely dry paint cans in the regular trash by removing the lid and placing the cans into a garbage bag.

Oil, Tires, and Car Battery Pick-Up

The Township offers a pick-up service for motor oil, tires, and car batteries on the second Wednesday of every month. Residents are limited to 5 gallons of motor oil in a plastic bottle with a screw top and 4 car tires off the rim per pick-up. To schedule a pick-up, residents can call the Department of Public Works at (732) 297-1134.

Paper Shredding Events

Middlesex County hosts paper shredding events multiple times a year, which are open to residential paper only. There is a limit of 5 file boxes or 100 pounds per car. Newspapers, magazines, hardcover books, junk mail, photos, x-rays, CDs, shredded paper, and garbage are not accepted. Paper must be in a manageable container, not a plastic bag.

Cooking Oil Recycling

The County also provides a year-round cooking oil recycling program for liquid vegetable oils. This program is exclusive to Middlesex County residents, who must provide proof of residency.

Electronic Waste Disposal

Electronic waste, such as computers, printers, monitors, and TVs, is not collected through curbside pickup and is banned from landfills. Residents can drop off these items at New Tech Recycling in Somerset, NJ, or contact them at (732) 564-3110 for more information.

Bulk Waste Collection

The City of New Brunswick offers bulk waste collection for items that are too large for regular curbside collection. Each residence is limited to 2 cubic yards of trash per pick-up and 5 bulk pickups per year. Bulk materials that are not "white goods" (appliances) or predominantly metal can be picked up curbside by appointment. This includes items such as mattresses, box springs, carpeting, furniture, wooden fencing, and construction materials.

For more information on hazardous waste disposal or other waste management services in New Brunswick, NJ, residents can refer to the official city website or contact the Department of Public Works directly.

Grass clippings disposal

Grass clippings can be disposed of at the Department of Public Works Yard, Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. from late April through late October. They will be accepted in biodegradable paper bags or open barrels/cans, with a weight limit of 35 pounds per can or bag.

Grass-cycling and backyard composting are also recommended as alternatives to grass clippings disposal. Composting will improve soil moisture, decrease erosion, and recycle nutrients and organic matter back into the soil. Grass-cycling increases organic matter for healthier soil and lawns, and does not cause thatch build-up or spread lawn disease.

The City of New Brunswick also offers free composting and rain barrel workshops, where residents can take home an earth machine composter or rain barrel for their home or garden.

Missed collection issues

If your garbage was not picked up in New Brunswick, New Jersey, there could be a few reasons why. Firstly, check whether there is street construction or a car parked in front of the garbage. Another reason could be that the garbage was put out too late or was not properly prepared. If your garbage was not collected due to one of these reasons, you should leave the garbage at the curb and call the Public Works Department, who will ask a series of questions to determine the cause. If the garbage was properly prepared and put out on time, the contractor will be sent back within 48 hours.

In New Brunswick, household trash must be placed curbside after 5:00 PM on the evening before the scheduled collection day, or by 6:00 AM on the scheduled day. Up to three trash containers per household will be accepted, and trash may be placed in plastic disposal bags, which must be at least 3 mils thick and securely tied. No container may weigh more than 50 lbs. or be larger than 32 gallons.

If you have additional bagged refuse that does not fit in the cart, you can call for a bulk pickup. Each residence is limited to 2 cubic yards of trash per bulk pickup and 5 bulk pickups per calendar year. Bulk materials that are not “white goods” (appliances) or predominantly metal can be picked up curbside by appointment.

Some common missed collection issues include having less than 3 ft. of clearance around the cart due to obstacles such as cars, utility poles, or mailboxes. Another issue could be an incorrect cart position or an overflowing cart. Sometimes, the cart may be blocked, hidden, or too far away from the roadway, making it inaccessible for collection.

Frequently asked questions