SOUTH PLAINFIELD                     
                                   RESIDENTS                                             
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NEW RECYCLING GUIDELINES

As of April 1, 2010, South Plainfield has a new contract for curbside recycling.  Our recyclables will be taken to a sorting facility.  Therefore, we do not need to keep our bottles and cans separate from our paper any longer.  You can mix all of your recyclables together.  If you wish, you can continue to keep them separated, but they will be collected together in one truck.   If you plan to use the Borough's Recycling Drop-Off Center on Kenneth Avenue, you should continue to separate your recyclabes because we have separate boxes there for cardboard, for newspapers, for mixed paper and for bottles and cans.

RECYCLING DISTRICTS

2010 CURBSIDE RECYCLING COLLECTIBLE SCHEDULE

Recycling Collection Holidays
Recycling collection holidays for 2010: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. If your collection day falls on any of these holidays, collection is rescheduled for the following Saturday.  Note: Municipal Public Works holidays do NOT affect the recycling collection schedule.

Have your recyclables at the curb by 6:00 am on your collection day.  You can set them out the night before after 7:00 pm.If your recyclables are not collected when scheduled, call the Borough Recycling Coordinator (908-226-7621) as soon as you know you have been missed, but within 24 hours.  If you call after office hours, leave a message on their answering machine. 

Please consider the weather.  In windy conditions, try to put heavier material on top of lighter material to keep it from blowing out of your containers. Write your address on the cans so you can retrieve them if they blow away.

If there is snow on the ground make sure your cans can be reached from the street. The truck drivers should not have to climb over piles of snow.  If the plows pile the snow up in front of your recyclables the driver may not even see them.  If the weather is going to create problems, consider using the Borough's Recycling Center on Kenneth Avenue that week or keep your materials for the next scheduled pickup.

Weather Emergencies
Changes in collection schedules due to weather emergencies or other emergency situations will be announced on the following radio stations: WCTC (1450 AM), WMGQ (98.3 FM) and NJ101.5 (101.5 FM). You may also check for changes on the web site or  by calling 908-226-7621 for specific information.

SOUTH PLAINFIELD DROP-OFF CENTER

South Plainfield’s Recycling Drop-Off Center is located at the end of Kenneth Avenue, just past the soccer field.  Hours of operation are Tuesdays, 12 noon – 7 p.m, Fridays and Saturdays 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. All recyclables collected curbside – newspaper, mixed paper, cardboard (flattened), glass bottles, aluminum/steel/tin cans, plastic containers #1 PETE and #2 HDPE – are accepted. Note that recyclables must be kept separated at the Recycling Center Drop-Off Center.  We have separate boxes for:  Bottles and Cans, Corrugated Cardboard, Mixed Office Paper and Newspaper.

NOTE: IT IS ILLEGAL TO DISCARD THE ABOVE ITEMS IN THE TRASH

In addition to #1 and #2 plastic bottles, we can accept plastic types #3-#7, as well as, milk containers.  Used clothes, Motor oil (up to 5 gallons, residential only, NO businesses), household rechargeable batteries,   computers, appliances and scrap metal are also accepted. Not accepted: televisions, propane tanks, non-recyclable items or any hazardous waste.

YARD WASTE SITE

The Yard Waste Site located at the end of Kenneth Avenue  past the Recycling Center, it is open to   all residents. A yard waste decal must be mounted on the driver's side rear window.   Decals are available at the Municipal Clerk's Office Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm.
Hours of Operation:  March 16-December 15: Tuesday 12 noon-7pm; Saturday 8am-3pm.   Leaf Season additional hours Mid-November-Mid-December: Monday - Friday 8am-3pm, December 16-March 15: Saturday 8am-3pm.                                                               

Leaves: will be collected at curb from mid-November to mid-December. Leaves must be placed in biodegradable paper bags for curbside collection.  Leaves may be brought to the Yard Waste Site. Do not leave plastic bags in the leaf pile.  Call 908-755-2187 for further information.

Brush: twigs, branches up to 4 inches in diameter and shrubs must be recycled.  Bring
brush tied or loose. Do not leave plastic bags in the pile.

Grass clippings: may be brought to the Yard Waste Site. Bring grass loose or in bags and empty into the proper container.Do not leave plastic bags in the grass box. 
No more than (3) 30 gallon bags or cans accepted.

We urge you to use cut-it and leave-it lawn care instead of bagging. It saves time and
money and reduces the negative environmental impacts of lawn care.  Contact the
Recycling Coordinator for more information 908-226-7621 or atempel@southplainfieldnj.com

Note: each material must be kept separate.  Ask attendant for assistance and instructions about
where to put materials.

South Plainfield's Recycling Drop-Off Center and Yard Waste Site are closed on
Sundays and all Borough Holidays.

OTHER MATERIALS

Motor Oil: Residents can bring used motor oil to the Recycling Center or County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection days.  DO NOT place used motor oil for pickup at the curb. 
Keep all HHW items separate.

White Goods: Metal appliances, such as washing machines and refrigerators (remove doors and
plastic shelves).  Put out for a Borough-wide curbside Bulky Waste pickup or bring to the Recycling
Center. You may also bring scrap metal or other items that are nearly all metal (remove all fuel and
fluids from lawnmowers, remove tires from bicycles, etc.)  See attendant for assistance.  DO NOT
bring televisions or propane tanks.

Be careful when handling refrigerators and air conditioners.  Do not damage coils or allow the Freon
to escape into the air.  Freon erodes the stratospheric ozone layer, allowing dangerous UV
radiation to reach the Earth's surface.  It is against Federal Law to vent Freon into the air, it must
be recycled.

Fluorescent Lights, Electronics, Wood Scrap, Plastic Film: These are mandatory recyclables for businesses but not for residents.  The Recycling Center accepts computers from residents     .
The County takes residents' fluorescent bulbs at the Household Hazardous Waste               collections                                                                                                                                   

COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS - CONVENIENT DISPOSAL

Laser Printer Cartridges:
The Public Library collects used printer cartridges for recycling.

BULKY WASTE

The Borough Trash Compactor on Kenneth Avenue takes bulky waste such as furniture and lumber for disposal in the landfill.  To register your vehicle for admission, see the Municipal Clerk at Borough Hall or call 908-226-7606.  For Compactor information call the Public Works Department at 908-755-2187.

2010 Compactor Schedule

OPEN 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY PROGRAMS

Middlesex County Paint Drop Program         

(South Plainfield Recycling Center)

           

3rd Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Middlesex County Residents only

(Proof of Residency Required)

Keep oil-based paint separate from latex paint.  We also take thinners, stains and      varnishes.  You can discard empty, dry cans in your trash.

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Household Hazardous Waste

For all other household hazardous waste, call the Middlesex County Division
of Solid Waste Management at 732-745-4170 for information about Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection days and items accepted.

          The 2010 schedule is:
          Middlesex County College, Edison: Sunday, 3/21 and Sunday, 11/21
          Middlesex County Div. of Highways, North Brunswick: Saturday, 4/17
          and Saturday 10/16    

          Middlesex County Road Dept., Sayreville: Saturday, 5/15
          Old Bridge Public Works:  Sunday, 7/18
          Woodbridge Public Works:   Saturday, 9/18
           

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Middlesex County Tire Recycling Program
(Metuchen Recycling Center)
Middlesex County Residents only (Proof of Residency Required)
Note:  The Metuchen Recycling Center is located on:
Jersey Avenue off Durham Avenue in Metuchen
Call 732-632-8519

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS DROP-OFF PROGRAM

consumer electronics AND TELEVISIONS

RECYCLE YOUR USED HOUSEHOLD BATTERIES

The South Plainfield Recycling Center accepts household batteries
(lithium, ni-cad rechargeable and button batteries). The Public Library
at 2484 Plainfield Avenue also accepts rechargeable and button batteries.

Do not bring alkaline batteries. These no longer contain mercury
and should be discarded with your regular household trash

Note:  Due to new State regulations, put a piece of tape over
each terminal or put each battery in a separate plastic bag.

The Borough urges all residents to take advantage of these
drop-off locations. Keeping batteries out of the regular garbage helps
keep lithium, nickel, cadmium and other toxic metals from polluting
the environment.

PAPER SHREDDING

Middlesex County runs a Paper Shredding Program to allow residents to recycle confidential
paper.  On September 25, 2010 the paper shredding truck will be parked from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
in the parking lot of the Senior Center at 90 Maple Avenue.  Other shredding events are
Scheduled throughout the year in other municipalities. Contact the Division of Solid Waste
Management for a complete list.

                THE CLUTTER CURE PUBLISHES

     THE “ULTIMATE REDISTRIBUTION GUIDE”

South Plainfield’s Recycling Office frequently gets inquiries from residents who have to
dispose of items that are in good condition. “It’s a perfectly good refrigerator; it’s a shame
to just junk it.” “Do you know anybody who would want a collection of text books on electrical engineering?”   “My aunt passed away and she has all these cosmetics, mostly not even opened.  I hate to just throw them out.”

The Recycling Office has a copy of A Place For Every Thing, The Ultimate Redistribution Guide for Mercer, Middlesex and Monmouth Counties.   Written by Audrey Rockman of
The Clutter Cure, the book is a compilation of charitable organizations, consignment shops, nursing homes, animal shelters and others seeking used, usable goods.  An index lists the items, from Air Conditioners to Yarn, and cross-references the establishments seeking them. 

If you have question about any of the Middlesex County Collection
Programs, call the
Middlesex County Division of Solid Waste Management at (732) 745-4170.

email: solidwaste@co.middlesex.nj.us