Recycling Works in Morris Co.

Morris County's recycling efforts are having positive results. Figures calculated by NJDEP for 2020 show Morris County's 43% municipal solid waste (MSW) recycling rate is amongst the best in northern New Jersey. Additionally, Morris County's 66% total recycling rate is at New Jersey's overall 60% recycling rate goal.

Morris County's 2020 municipal solid waste recycling rate of 43% currently below the 50% recycling goal for municipal solid waste and but the 66% overall recycling rate exceeds the state's 60% goal for total recycling. Let's keep recycling Morris County!
 

Documents to Download

Most of these documents will be PDF files.

• 2018 Morris County Environmental Guide - This is a 12-page booklet describing many disposal, recycling, reuse and other environmental opportunities available for Morris County residents and businesses.
• Solid Waste and Recycling Requirements for Businesses and Institutions Flyer (April 2014) - This is a general flyer describing disposal and recycling requirements for businesses in Morris County.
• Solid Waste and Recycling Requirements for Builders and Contractors Working in Morris County Flyer (October 2014) - This is a general flyer describing disposal and recycling requirements for builders and contractors doing work in Morris County.
• Recycling Inspections to Increase (July 5, 2007) - Letter sent to transfer station customers informing them about an increase in inspections of loads of garbage at the transfer stations with the goal of finding mandated recyclable materials mixed with the garbage.
   

Library Consisting of Folders of Graphics, PDFs, PSA's, etc.

• Single-Stream Recycling (10/5/2023)
• Recycling General (10/5/2023)
• Vegetative Wastes - Composting (10/5/2023)
• Household Hazardous Wastes (10/5/2023)
• Clean Communities (10/5/2023)
• Litter (10/5/2023)
• For Kids (10/5/2023)
• NJDEP Prepared Promotional Items (10/5/2023)
• NJ Waste Wise Bulletins (10/5/2023)
   

Flyers / Graphics to Download

• Basic Guide to Single-Stream Recycling (3/17/2023) - Infographic describing the MCMUA's materials acceptance and a basic guide for its All-In-One single-stream recycling collection program.
• Litter Prevention For Business Guide (3/17/2023)
• Shredded Paper Infographic (4/5/2023)
• Helium Tank Disposal Flyer (3/17/2023)
• Plant Pot Recycling (4/28/2023)
• Rechargeable Battery Recycling/Disposal Flyer Avoid the Spark (3/17/2023)
• No Dumping Flyer (3/17/2023)
• Curbside Recycling Inspection Tag (3/17/2023)
   

Recycling Information for the Resident

Q. How do recyclables get collected in Morris County?

• Each town in Morris County is responsible for its own recycling collection system, and the level of service provided by each town varies. Many, but not all, towns also provide municipal recycling depots that allow for residential drop-off of recyclables. Click here to view the MCMUA's municipal database of municipal solid waste services provided in Morris County. Click here for a listing of municipal recycling depots. There are three primary types of recycling collection in Morris County.
   
  1. Some towns use their own municipal employees and equipment to collect recyclables;
  2. Some towns contract with hauling companies to collect their recyclables. The MCMUA provides recycling collection services for towns that contract to use the MCMUA curbside recycling collection program; and
  3. Some towns don't provide any recycling collection at all and instead rely on each resident to subscribe and pay individually for recycling collection services with a hauling company that services the town.
      
• Regarding apartments and condominiums, some towns provide for the collection of recyclables at the multi-family complexes while others do not. You should check with the manager of the complex to determine how your recyclables are collected. Click here for additional information about recycling at multi-family residential complexes (apartments and condominiums).
• The company collecting recyclables is sometimes not the same as the entity collecting garbage. For instance, in some towns the MCMUA collects recyclables but does not collect garbage.
• Regardless of who picks up the recyclables in each town, there is a list of materials that are mandated to be separated from the garbage in order to be recycled. This is known as mandated source separation recycling and it has been the the law throughout all of New Jersey since 1987. While each town is free to devise how to provide recycling collection services, it is the responsibility of each and every resident, business and governmental institution in Morris County to source separate and recycle all of the mandated materials. Click here to read about the list of mandated recyclables. It is not necessary that a town provide collection for each mandated recyclable, and many towns leave certain materials to be recycled independently by the generator.
   

Q. In which towns does the MCMUA collect recyclables?

• Click here to view the list of municipalities the MCMUA collects from along with their recycling schedules. The MCMUA curbside recycling collection program operates in towns that contract with the MCMUA to perform this service. Typically when a town contracts with the MCMUA to provide residential curbside recycling collection, the MCMUA also delivers recyclables collected at the municipal recycling depot to recycling markets. Depending upon the contract, sometimes apartments and/or condominiums are included in the collection contract and sometimes they are not. Please check with your municipal recycling coordinator or manager of your apartment/condominium to find out who collects both your recyclables and/or garbage. Additionally, the MCMUA's recycling collection contracts with towns sometimes include collection at municipal buildings and/or schools.
   

Q. Does the MCMUA provide household containers for recycling?

The MCMUA does not provide recycling containers. The MCMUA does provide recycling and trash decals for your own containers. Click here to view the decals that the MCMUA provides.

Q. Did the MCMUA miss your recycling collection?

If recycling was not picked up on your scheduled collection day, it must be reported to your Municipal Recycling Coordinator/Municipality no later than 10 AM the day following collection. Any missed pick up reported after 10 AM the day following will not be picked up until the next scheduled collection.

Q. Should I buy the biggest recycling container available, or is there a weight limit?

The MCMUA currently collects recyclables manually, which dictates a 50-pound limit on the the weight of each individual recycling container and its contents. Please use multiple containers if you have over 50 pounds of recyclables to place at the curb for collection by the MCMUA.

Q. Are there other materials I am required to recycle besides what is picked up at curbside?

While most residents recycle cans and bottles and most types of paper through their curbside recycling program, there are other less traditional items mandated to be recycled, even though they may not be acceptable in the town's curbside recycling collection program. Tires and appliances are common examples of such mandated recyclables.

Q. Do I need to label my containers for collection?

Residents should label their home garbage and recycling containers. Many people say they know what container is what and they don't need a decal, but the decals are not only for their use but for the curbside collection crew. Some towns have recycling and garbage collection on the same day. Click here to view the decals that are provided by the MCMUA.

Q. Any holiday recycling tips?

Most gift wrap paper is recyclable and one must not forget about all the corrugated and bottles that are produced during the holidays. Special attention must also be paid to recycling electronics and batteries Click here to view some of the MCMUA's tips on holiday recycling.

Recycling for Businesses

Recycling and Governmental Institutions