The Township of Denville held a public bid opening as required by the NJ Local Public Contracts law for the renewal of our residential garbage and recycling collection and disposal services. The bid contained a variety of alternatives for bi-weekly single stream recycling, weekly single stream recycling and weekly dual stream recycling. The bid submitted for twice weekly garbage collection and weekly rotating dual stream recycling was the most competitive and was the only bid alternative that could be awarded for 2020 within the current $80/quarter garbage fee charged to our residents. All of the other bid alternatives would have required an immediate increase in the quarterly garbage and recycling fee.As many residents may be aware, the market for recycled materials worldwide has virtually collapsed. As recently as six (6) years ago, the Township received a year-end dividend for the sale of its recycled commodities, which helped keep our garbage and recycling collection rates stable. However, due to the deteriorating international recycling market, not only does the Township no longer receive a year-end dividend, during the past two years, the Township has had to pay a recycling disposal surcharge. In 2019, the surcharge (in addition to the contractual collection fees with the (MCMUA) is projected to be an extra $115,954.For that reason, we examined various alternatives and starting in 2020 will provide weekly dual stream collection without increasing our residential garbage and recycling user fee. Two questions many might be asking – (1) what is dual stream recycling and how will it work? And, (2) if the international recycling market has collapsed, how can the Township provide increased weekly collection at the same rate?

What is Dual Stream Recycling and How Does it Work?

Starting in January 2020, Gaeta Recycling, Inc. will collect commingled materials (glass, plastic, aluminum, etc.) one week and they will collect mixed paper materials (newspaper, cardboard, paper, etc.) the next week in accordance with the calendar. This will rotate during the entire 2020 year with 53 collections of recycling (26 commingled and 27 fiber materials) as compared to 28 single stream collection dates in 2019. 

If the International Recycling Market has collapsed how can the Township provide weekly service at the same rate? 

Although commodities such as recycled glass, plastic and aluminum have virtually no value on the recycling market, one product has retained and even increased in value. This product is mixed paper (i.e. – paper and cardboard).

With the advent of online shopping and delivery services, there is a growing need from online retailers for recycled paper and cardboard products. The value of the paper, if not mixed with commingled items, retains a much higher value on the market, which translates into a lower collection cost for the Township and its residents.

The Township structured its recycling contract to be a fixed rate contract. Therefore, even if the mixed paper commodity falls in price, we are locked in at a fixed price over the three (3) year term of the contract and will not be subject to surcharges by the vendor. 

The following are some general guidelines for what items are recyclable: 

Commingled Materials: Any plastic items #1,#2,#4,#5 & #7, glass bottles and metal cans. These recyclables must be placed curbside in a solid metal or plastic reusable container with handles.

All recyclables must be emptied and rinsed.

Plastic shopping bags and Styrofoam will not be collected with your recycling. Plastic bags can be returned to most local supermarket and Styrofoam can be placed in the trash. 

Mixed Paper: Newspaper, corrugated cardboard, magazines, office paper, junk mail, chipboard, telephone books, catalogs, books with hard covers removed and paper bags may be mixed together. All mixed paper product must be placed in containers, tied into bundles or placed into secure paper bags. 

Will the Recycling Yard also be Dual Stream?

What will be the hours? 

The Recycling Center will also convert from Single Stream to Dual Stream, effective January 1, 2020. For the convenience of our residents, the recycling center is open seven (7) days per week on the following schedule: 

Monday – Friday:  7:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Saturday:  8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Sunday:    10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

 Will my Garbage Collection Change? 

No. Trash collection will remain unchanged and is scheduled to be collected twice per week as follows: 

North of US Highway 46  – Tuesday and Friday
South of US Highway 46  – Monday and Thursday

There will be no trash pick-up on:

• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• July 4th
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day

If your collection is scheduled for any of these days, it will be collected the next day). 

What about Pick-up of Large Metal Items?

Denville provides curbside pick-up of large metal items:

• air conditioners

• dehumidifiers

• freezer

• microwaves

• refrigerators

• and more

by appointment only, every Wednesday. Please phone 973-625-8334 no later than 11 :00 AM Tuesday to schedule a pick-up. .