NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Leaf and Brush Collection Schedules for Middlesex County

October 23, 2007 --It’s that season once again when leaves and other tree debris litter our yards and driveways. To combat the forces of nature, most Middlesex County municipalities are taking advantage of the Middlesex County Improvement Authority’s (MCIA) Yard Waste program for the recycling of leaves and brush. Last year, the Middlesex County residents recycled over 38,000 tons of yard waste.

16 of Middlesex County’s 25 municipalities also participate in the MCIA’s county-wide curbside recycling program. The MCIA implemented this regional recycling program over 10 years ago and it saves the participating municipalities money by sparing them the cost of purchasing large equipment solely for recycling collection.

All Middlesex County municipalities operate recycling programs. Each municipality has its own recycling coordinator and collection schedule and some impose additional restrictions. Below is a list of municipalities participating in the curbside recycling program and their individual requirements for leaf and brush disposal.

If your municipality is not listed below, please contact your municipal recycling coordinator for details. For additional information, visit MCIA’s website at www.mciauth.com.

Cranbury:
Leaves will be collected from mid-October through December 28.

Brush is collected on the third Wednesday of each month. Call (609) 395-0900, ext. 229, to arrange for a pickup. Pile brush neatly at the curb.

Dunellen:
Leaves will be collected weekly, October through December. Leaves must be bagged in the paper leaf bags that were provided by the Borough and then placed curbside. No other method can be used or the leaves will not be collected. Paper leaf bags are available at the Borough Garage, Recycling Center, during normal business hours or on Wednesday evenings at the Library from October 1 – November 20 (limit: 20 bags per resident).

Helmetta:
Leaves are collected curbside. Put leaves in biodegradable paper bags and place at the curb for fall collection. For schedule information, call (732) 521-4946, ext. 110.

Brush must be placed curbside for chipping for the last pickup on Friday, October 26. Call (732) 521-4946, ext. 110, to schedule an appointment.

Jamesburg:
Leaves are collected curbside beginning November 5 through January 9. Rake loose leaves to the curb, no closer than 10 feet from any storm drain inlet, during the 7 days prior to your area's scheduled collection date, or place at the curb in biodegradable bags ONLY. These bagged leaves will be picked up every other Sunday. Biodegradable bags are available at area hardware stores. Call (732) 521-3335 for schedule information.

Middlesex:
Leaves will only be picked up in paper biodegradable bags. Items can also be taken to the Recycling Center. Call (732) 968-1603 or (732) 356-7953 for scheduled pickup dates.

Brush and grass collection continue until December 20. Pickup will be made every Wednesday and items can also be taken to the Recycling Center. Grass will only be picked up in paper biodegradable bags.

Plastic bags will not be picked up.

Milltown:
Leaves placed in biodegradable leaf bags will be collected curbside on your regular trash collection day from November 3 to January 14. Biodegradable leaf bags are available at the Public Works Yard.

Brush under 1 inch in diameter and under 4 feet in length, and tied in bundles of 50 pounds or less, and trash cans of flowers, weeds, clippings and twigs are collected are collected curbside on your regular trash day. Branches over 1 inch in diameter and over 4 feet in length will be picked up on Thursdays. Call (732) 828-2100, ext. 186, to schedule a pickup. Cans only.

Monroe:
Leaves placed in brown recycling bags only will be collected curbside through November 14. Brown recycling bags can be picked up at the Monroe Recycling Drop-Off Center, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., and Saturday, between 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Brush is collected curbside. Tree parts must be no more than 5 inches in diameter and must be cut and tied with string or cord into lengths no longer than 4 feet. Brush will be collected through November 16.

New Brunswick:
Leaves can be bagged or raked loose to the curb for the fall composting collection. Leaf collection will take place in November and December.

Brush no greater than 5 inches in diameter will be collected by appointment only. Branches must be tied in bundles, not exceeding 6 feet in length or 50 pounds in weight. Place twigs too small to bundle in an open, rigid container. Bagged brush will not be collected. Up to 10 bundles and up to 3 containers are accepted per pickup. Call (732) 745-5059 for an appointment.

Old Bridge:
Leaves are collected in biodegradable paper bags. Leaves in plastic bags will not be collected. Residents will receive a flyer from Old Bridge Township with the collection schedule.

Piscataway:
Leaves must be placed in biodegradable leaf bags to be collected curbside from the last week of October through the end of December. Leaves may also be brought to the Recycling Center anytime of the year.

Plainsboro:
Leaves are collected from late October through mid-December and should be raked to the curb line. Check the Township newsletter for schedule information.

Sayreville:
Leaves are collected in biodegradable paper bags - Leaves in plastic bags will not be collected. Leaves can be taken to Fort Grumpy in biodegradable bags on a seasonal basis. The Borough provides free leaf bags to residents. Collection schedules will appear on the local cable television community board on Channel 15.

Brush is collected curbside on the first and third Fridays of the month in January, February and March. Brush material must not be greater than 5 inches in diameter, must be tied in bundles and cannot exceed 4 feet in length (weight limit is 30 lbs. per bundle).

South Amboy:
Call (732) 721-5793 for leaf and brush disposal details.

South Plainfield:
Leaves must be placed in biodegradable paper bags and placed curbside. Leaves will be collected from mid-November to mid-December, and may also be brought to the compost site. Do not leave plastic bags in leaf pile. Call (908) 755-2187 for further information.

Brush must be recycled at the compost site. Bring brush tied or loose. Do not leave plastic bags in the pile.

Yard waste pickup for senior citizens is available by appointment only. Call (908) 755-2187 to arrange a pickup.

South River:
Leaves are collected every Monday, except holidays. Place Leaves in open plastic bags or containers and place at the curb.

Brush must be tied with string or cord in bundles no more than 4 feet in length and 1 foot in height. Place the brush at curbside for Monday collection (except holidays).

Spotswood:
Leaves placed in biodegradable bags only will be collected curbside beginning in November. Please refer to the fall edition of the Borough newsletter for the collection schedules.

Brush is collected by appointment through October 2007. Tree parts must be no more than 5 inches in diameter and cut and tied with string or cord in lengths no longer than 4 feet. Call (732) 251-0700 to arrange for pickup.

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