Solid Waste and Recycling FAQ’s

FAQ

RECYCLING

New Jersey's mandatory recycling law (the New Jersey Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act), which was enacted in 1987, requires recycling in the residential, commercial (business) and institutional sectors (schools, hospitals, prisons, etc.).  Over the last 25 years, there have been many changes in the method of collections, and more specifically, what items can be recycled.  The list of “Questions and Answers” below will help to alleviate any confusion as to the Town of Clinton’s residential recycling program:

  1. What CAN I recycle?

The current contract that the Town has with its hauler is for the collection of all plastic designated ID #’s 1 – 6.  For purposes of the Town of Clinton, commonly accepted recyclables include: paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminum/metal and glass.

Paper

  • Paper (staples okay)
  • Newspaper
  • Envelopes
  • Junk mail
  • Phone books
  • Brochures/Magazines

Cardboard

  • Ream wrappers
  • File folders
  • Poster board
  • Frozen food boxes
  • Cardboard boxes
  • Milk cartons

Plastic

  • Water bottles
  • Take-out containers
  • Soda bottles
  • Bagged film plastics

 

 

Aluminum/Metal

  • Aluminum beverage cans
  • Food cans

 

 

 

 

 

Glass

  • Bottles (clear, green & brown
  • Jars

 

 

 

 

 

  1. What CAN'T I recycle?
  • Aerosol cans
  • Aluminum foil
  • Batteries
  • Food waste
  • Glass (Other than what is listed in #1 above)
  • Mirrors or ceramics
  • Stickers & address labels
  • Styrofoam, tissue, paper towels, or napkins
  • Plastic-coated paper
  • Wrapping paper
  • Waxed paper
  • Window glass
  • Light bulbs
  • Ceramics
  • Plastics (Other than products coded #1 or #2
  • Cookware
  • Hardcover books
  • Polystyrene foam plastic (even if it has the recycling symbol)
  • Plastic bags

Solid Waste

  1. What CAN I place at the curb for weekly “Trash” collection?
    • The current contract that the Town has with its hauler is for the collection of all “trash” designated ID #10 (IE: Solid Waste), and DOES NOT, include the collection of bulky items
      1. For purposes of the Town of Clinton, “Solid Waste” is defined as “Waste originating in the community consisting of household waste from private residences.” This broad definition means that unless the item you wish to dispose of is considered exempt from this category, it is permitted to be collected.
  2. What CAN'T I place at the curb for weekly “Trash” collection?
    • Recyclable materials
    • Hazardous materials
    • Electronics (including TV’s and computers)
    • Bulky Items
    • Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL)
    • Freon
    • Propane Tanks
  3. What should I do with my Christmas Tree at the end of the season?
    1. Once per week curbside collection of Christmas Trees will occur during the month of January for each year of the contract for all residential properties within the Town of Clinton. 
  1. How do I dispose of vegetative waste?
    1. Once per week collection of vegetative waste for residents wishing to dispose of grass clippings.  The clippings must be placed in a recyclable brown bag.  The collection day shall be the same day as the collection of solid waste.
      1. This collection DOES NOT include the collection of brush or leaves.  Brush and leaves are collected in accordance with the Town Brush Collection Schedule that is mailed to all residential properties each year. 

Bulky Item Collection

  1. How do I dispose of a “Bulky” item”?
    1. Bulk waste (IE: ID # 13) collection is NOT included as part of the Town of Clinton’s solid waste or recycling program.   If a Town of Clinton resident needs to have a bulky item collected and disposed of, they will need to contact Republic Services directly at 908-730-7800 in order to schedule and pay for the collection of a specific item(s).  A list of the most common bulky items, along with the fee schedule can be viewed by clicking here.

Additional Resources