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Vegetative Waste Recycling

The MCMUA owns and operates two vegetative waste recycling facilities, one in Parsippany and the other in Mount Olive for the recycling of leaves, grass, and brush. These facilities accept natural vegetative waste from contracting municipalities, contractors, and landscapers. Businesses must first FILL OUT AN APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL prior to using the MCMUA facilities.

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Hours and Locations

Parsippany Facility
Located behind the Morris County
Public Safety Training Academy
500 West Hanover Avenue
Parsippany, NJ 07054
Normal Hours: M-F, 7am-noon and 1-3pm

Mount Olive Facility
Waterloo Road, Mount Olive, NJ 07828
Located at the intersection of Waterloo Valley and Waterloo Roads near the International Trade Zone, Mount Olive
Normal Hours:M-F, 7am-noon and 1-3pm

On-site personnel are not available during the lunch hour and commercial contractors are not permitted to enter facilities between noon and 1:00 p.m.

Forms and Guidance

Compost Facility Rules - Click here for a PDF copy of the MCMUA's rules and regulations regarding use of the vegetative waste facilities. Prior to using any of the the vegetative waste facilities, please print these rules, sign and send the MCMUA a copy of the signed document indicating that the rules have been read and understood. Additionally, please maintain a copy of these rules in all vehicles accessing the MCMUA's vegetative waste sites. Compliance with these rules is mandated and appreciated.

  • Dump/material tickets are available at each individual compost facility and all commercial entities (landscapers, contractors, etc.) must pay in full by check (no cash or credit cards accepted) at the time of drop off. Additionally, a weekly blank check may be left with the MCMUA to pay for one week's worth of dumping using the weekly blank check.
  • Commercial Businesses Wanting to Pick Up Mulch or Compost - Commercial businesses are still required to meet the MCMUA's requirements by:
    1. filling out an MCMUA application
    2. adhering to our insurance requirements, and
    3. registering with Vollers Excavating & Construction, Inc. (HVI Services), the MCMUA's contractual marketing company, service@vollers.cc prior to picking up material for the first time of the season. Once registered your company will be invoiced and directly by Vollers Excavating for the pick up of material while the MCMUA requires a check prior to the drop off of material at its facilities.
       

Residents are not permitted to come into either of our sites to drop off vegetative waste. Residents needing to recycle vegetative waste are encouraged to check what services their municipality provide or utilize services from local recycling markets.

Recommended Compost Apllication Rates

  • Turf/Sod Establishment & Soil Amending
    Incorporate compost into the top 3" to 5" of soil at a rate of 1 cubic yard per 1,000 sq ft. Blend into existing stockpiles of soil based on agronomic rates as needed.
     
  • Turf Maintenance & Topdressing of Turf
    Apply compost at a rate of 0.75 cubic yards per 1,000 sq ft on established turf and work into existing soil. For best results, aerate before topdressing and water immediately after spreading compost.
     
  • Flowerbed, Garden, or Ground Cover Installation</font>
    Mix or rototill 1/2" of compost into existing soils at a depth of 3" to 5" before planting.
     
  • Tree & Shrub Planting
    When planting, blend 10% compost with 90% existing soil backfill by volume. Remove debris and mix well to achieve better root growth.
     
  • Container Plants
    Blend no more than 10% compost by volume with traditional commercial potting media. Be sure to water thoroughly after planting. A soil-less media test is recommended to determine specific agronomic needs.
     
  • The above rates are general use recommendations. Please consult with a horticultural professional, certified crop advisor, or university extension agent to further refine individual uses.
  • Compost is used for landscaping and gardening services only. It is not intended for human consumption.
  • All products are testing according to NJDEP specifications, namely N.J.A.C. 7:26A-4.3.
     

Mulch Process

Tree parts and brush are placed through a wood grinder twice to produce a fine wood mulch end product. The double ground wood mulch is sold to residents, landscapers, and garden centers for use as ground cover around shrubs, trees, etc.

Vegetative Icon House Icon

Compost, Mulch and Vegetative Waste for the Resident

Q. What is screened compost?

A. Screened compost consists of leaves that break down (decompose) over a period of months. After autumn leaves are deposited at our recycling facilities, they are turned weekly and are broken down by April/May into a black, crumbly soil amendment known as compost. The material is then screened in a large screener, and bulky materials including large sticks, twigs, etc., are removed and a finer, finished compost is produced.

Q. What are the benefits of compost?

A. Compost helps plants grow better, improves soil structure, helps the soil retain water, helps release plant nutrients and adds vital organic matter to the soil.

Q. What is double-ground wood mulch?

A. Double-ground wood mulch consists of tree parts, branches, brush and wood chips. Brush and tree parts are processed once and then mixed with wood chips for a second grind resulting in a more finely ground mulch.

Q. What are the benefits of wood mulch?

A. Wood mulch is used around trees, shrubs, landscape plants, and flower beds to help reduce weeds, conserve moisture and enhance the natural beauty of the landscape. Wood mulch breaks down slowly and adds organic matter to the soil. Generally, a mulch layer of two to four inches will reduce weeds, conserve moisture, and increase the attractiveness around shrubs and trees. When mulching around trees, remember to keep mulch approximately six inches from the trees trunk.

Q. Approximately how many square feet will ground-wood mulch cover at different depths?

Cubic Yard Coverage Table - General Guide
  • 1 c.y. = 324 square feet at 1" depth
  • 1 c.y. = 162 square feet at 2" depth
  • 1 c.y. = 108 square feet at 3" depth
  • 1 c.y. = 81 square feet at 4" depth
  • 1 c.y. = 64 square feet at 5" depth
     

Q. What is the current availability for residential pickup of mulch and compost?

MCMUA RESIDENTIAL PICKUP OF FREE MATERIAL SITE FACILITY STATUS

Parsippany Vegetative Waste Recycling Facility

Mount Olive Vegetative Waste Recycling Facility
Unscreened Compost

AVAILABLE

 Unscreened Compost

AVAILABLE
Wood Mulch

AVAILABLE

 Wood Mulch

AVAILABLE

THIS MESSAGE SERVES AS THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION REGARDING THE STATUS OF THE LISTED MATERIALS ABOVE
DATE ESTIMATES ARE NOT PROVIDED WHEN ANY MATERIAL RETURNS TO AVAILABLE STATUS AS IT IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVED WHEN MATERIAL IS AVAILABLE.

**** IF ANY MATERIAL IS LISTED HERE AS AVAILABLE AND IT HAS BEEN DEPLETED AT THE SITE DUE TO HIGH VOLUME OF ACTIVITY, THE MATERIAL WILL BE REPLENISHED WITHIN 24 to 48 HOURS FOLLOWING THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY ****

FREE MATERIAL IS MADE AVAILABLE TO MORRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS WITH A LIMIT OF 2 CUBIC YARDS, PER YEAR, PER ADDRESS

Q. Where are the vegetative waste facilities for residential pickup of mulch and compost?

A. Our Parsippany facility is behind the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy at 500 West Hanover Avenue, Parsippany 07054. Click here for directions.

Our Mount Olive facility is off Waterloo Valley Road in the International Trade Zone in Mount Olive. Click here for directions.

The MCMUA makes available on a first-come / first-served basis unscreened compost and double ground wood mulch for Morris County residents free of charge from piles located at the entrance of each site. Morris County residents may take FREE of charge a maximum of 2 Cubic Yards of each product per household. Both locations are under video surveillance to minimize abuse of these piles and prevent illegal dumping. Commercial entities are not permitted to take any of the FREE material as it is exclusively put out for residentially pick up only.

This FREE pickup of material is provided by the MCMUA as a community service so please respect our facilities and others when loading your material. Please note that active screening of compost at the pickup area is not permitted. Additionally, there is no residential drop off (dumping) of materials allowed at the sites whatsoever. Those that violate this rule and illegally dump on our facilities will no longer be permitted on site for future pickup of any materials and may be subject to enforcement actions.

Customers seeking larger quantities, The MCMUA sells and delivers truckload quantities of screened and unscreened compost and double ground wood mulch on year-round basis. Landscaping products can be delivered in quantities of 5 and 10 cubic yard increments for each product and pricing for each can be found here for these delivery quantities.

Commercial businesses are NOT permitted to take material from the piles of wood mulch or unscreened compost at either site. Click here for information about purchasing compost and mulch in bulk by businesses.

Q. Are Morris County residents permitted to dump at these facilities?

The MCMUA vegetative waste recycling facilities are not open to the general public for the recycling of leaves, grass, brush, or wood chips. They are open only to pre-approved contractors and municipalities. Please DO NOT enter these facilities. Heavy equipment operates daily and objects that enter a grinder, screener or compost windrow turner can be ejected with tremendous force over long distances. If you have a question, comment, or concern, call 973-631-5109. PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THESE FACILITIES UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WHATSOEVER.

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Compost/Mulch Sales & Vegetative Waste Recycling for Businesses

Bulk compost and mulch sales and leaf, grass and brush recycling

Image of 2022 Veg Waste Pricing (Business)

Image of Naturcycle LogoThe MCMUA has a compost sales agreement with Vollers Excavating & Construction, Inc. (HVI Services) to market all commercial outbound compost material on behalf of the MCMUA. All pricing and sales of compost to commercial customers is to be coordinated between Vollers Excavating & Construction, Inc. (HVI Services) and the customer.

Vollers Excavating & Construction, Inc. (HVI Services)
Telphone: 908-725-1026
Email: service@vollers.cc
https://vollerscompany.com/

For current compost pricing click here or review the "Commercial Business Pricing" flyer.

Wood Mulch Pricing from the MCMUA

  • $10.00/c.y. - Wood Mulch Pick-up
     

Site Locations

Please note, this additional drop-off service by is separate from the MCMUA's general use requirements needed to access the facilities and pickup material.

Q. What are the insurance requirements to use the MCMUA compost facilities?

A. The MCMUA compost facilities have the same vehicle and worker's compensation insurance requirements as those for the MCMUA transfer stations. Click here to view these insurance requirements. Vehicles may not enter the MCMUA compost facilities without first providing proof of insurance coverage in the form of valid certificates of insurance.

Q. Is the compost tested?

A. In addition to routine sampling at both facilities as required by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), the MCMUA, in partnership has enrolled the Parsippany-Troy Hills site in the United States Composting Council, LLC Seal of Testing Assurance "Certified" Compost program.

Logo of STA Certified CompostThe USCC STA Certification is an ongoing independent analysis conducted at certified laboratories and provides a technical data sheet with important agronomic information as well as health and safety data about the compost. This is designed to give the customer the information needed in order to get the maximum benefit from the compost. Currently, this is the only compost testing program available that gives you this type of information. For more information about the STA program, visit the USCC STA website.

Q. Where are the facilities located for dropping off and purchasing bulk material?

A. Our Parsippany facility is behind the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy at 500 West Hanover Avenue, Parsippany 07054. Click here for directions. Our Mount Olive facility is off Waterloo Valley Road in the International Trade Zone in Mount Olive. Click here for directions.

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Leaf, Grass and Brush Recycling for Municipalities

  • Ticket books used for municipalities dropping off vegetative waste are available at either facility during operating hours. Note: all transactions require a valid drop off ticket. Questions regarding these tickets may be directed to any of the MCMUA on site employees.
     
    • Image of 2024 Veg Waste Pricing (Morris Co. Governments)
  • General Holiday Schedule For MCMUA
     
  • Vehicle Registration - All municipalities must be pre-registered with MCMUA before being allowed to drop off or pick up any material. Please complete and email the Vehicle Registration Form to the MCMUA at muainsuarance@co.morris.nj.us. On this form you will be require to provide a listing of the type of vehicle(s), license plate number(s), and their cubic yard capacities.
     
    Click here for the Compost Facility Vehicle Use Form
     

Vegetative Waste Recycling for Morris County Municipalities

Drop-off of Vegetative Waste

  • $6.50/c.y. - Leaf (Uncompacted) Composting Drop-off
  • $9.50/c.y. - Leaf (Compacted) Composting Drop-off
  • $9.50/c.y. - Grass (Uncompacted) Composting Drop-off
  • $12.50/c.y. - Grass (Compacted) Composting Drop-off
  • $7.50/c.y. - Brush (Uncompacted) Recycling Drop-off
  • $9.50/c.y. - Brush (Compacted) Recycling Drop-off
  • $6.00/c.y. - Lake Weed (Uncompacted) Recycling Drop-off
  • $9.50/c.y. - Lake Weed (Compacted) Recycling Drop-off
  • $0.00/c.y. - Christmas Tree (Clean) Recycling Drop-off
  • $4.00/c.y. - Wood Chip Recycling Drop-off
     
  • $2.00/c.y. - Surcharge for material accepted in bags.
    Bagged material only accepted at Mt. Olive facility.
     

Pick-up and Purchase of Vegetative Products

  • $10.00/c.y. - Wood Mulch Pick-up
  • $5.00/c.y. - Unscreened Compost Pick-up
  • $16.00/c.y. - Screened Compost Pick-up
     
Image of 2024 Veg Waste Pricing (Non-Morris Co. Governments)

Vegetative Waste Recycling for Non-Morris County Municipalities

Drop-off of Vegetative Waste

  • $9.00/c.y. - Leaf (Uncompacted) Composting Drop-off
  • $11.00/c.y. - Leaf (Compacted) Composting Drop-off
  • $12.00/c.y. - Grass (Uncompacted) Composting Drop-off
  • $14.00/c.y. - Grass (Compacted) Composting Drop-off
  • $9.00/c.y. - Brush (Uncompacted) Recycling Drop-off
  • $11.00/c.y. - Brush (Compacted) Recycling Drop-off
  • $6.00/c.y. - Lake Weed (Uncompacted) Recycling Drop-off
  • $4.00/c.y. - Wood Chip Recycling Drop-off
     
  • $2.00/c.y. - Surcharge for material accepted in bags.
    Bagged material only accepted at Mt. Olive facility.
     

Pick-up and Purchase of Vegetative Products

  • $10.00/c.y. - Wood Mulch Pick-up
  • $5.00/c.y. - Unscreened Compost Pick-up
  • $16.00/c.y. - Screened Compost Pick-up
     

Preparation Requirements for Acceptance

Vegetative collection includes grass, leaves and brush. To best comply with MCMUA facility requirements, we recommend residential collection where residents are instructed to place leaves and grass in biodegradable brown paper bags with the bag open or in open containers with handles. Brush must be kept and collected separately from grass and leaves. Leaves should not be swept into the gutter. For easy collection, we can accept , branches or brush tied with string in bundles not to exceed 18 inches in diameter and 6 feet in length. No limbs or brush over 4 inches in diameter will be accepted.

Acceptable Brush
(keep separate from leaves and grass)
Image acceptable brush prep Image acceptable brush prep Image acceptable brush prep
Acceptable Leaves and Grass
(keep separate from brush)
Image acceptable leaf and grass prep Image acceptable leaf and grass prep Image acceptable leaf and grass prep
Unacceptable Material
No garbage - No plastic bags - No plastic flower pots - No rocks or metal - No water bottles - No animal waste - No wood waste - No food waste
No branches/brush mixed with leaves and grass
Image uaacceptable prep Image unacceptable prep Image unacceptable prep