MIDDLESEX RECYCLING FAQS

What if my collection day falls on a holiday?
If your collection day falls on any of these holidays - New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas - collection is rescheduled for the following Saturday. Check your municipal collection schedule in the yellow section of the recycling brochure for specific dates.

Recycling collection is not affected by municipal public work holidays, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Columbus Day, Election Day or Veterans Day. Collections will take place on those days.

What do the bright orange or bright green stickers on my recyclable items mean?
 These are rejection stickers. The most common reasons for rejection are:

  • Trash mixed in with recyclables.

  • Containers larger than 32 gallons.

  • Newspapers in the mixed-paper container.

  • Recyclables in plastic bags.

  • Corrugated cardboard not properly prepared.

Only recyclables that are properly sorted and prepared will be collected.

Will bad weather affect my pickup?
Collections are rarely canceled due to weather conditions. However, if extremely severe weather conditions exist, please refer to our web site at mciauth.com, or call (800) 488-MCIA (6242) to find out if collections will take place as scheduled. If snow or ice conditions exist and collections are made, please ensure your collection containers are visible and easily accessible for safety purposes.

What if my recyclables were not collected?
Your recyclables should be placed curbside the night before your scheduled pickup, or by 6 a.m. on the day of the pickup. Collection times are subject to change, and all material must be ready for pickup by 6 a.m.

If your recyclables were out at the curb on time and were not collected, call us within 24 hours. If you delay calling, your recyclables may not be picked up until your next collection date.

As a new resident, how do I obtain containers?
New residents should contact their municipal recycling coordinator to obtain free containers; additional containers can be purchased.

Why can't I recycle #3 through #7 plastics ?
These types of plastics are not mandated recyclables in New Jersey. Currently, there are no sufficient recycling markets for these plastics. Middlesex County expects to add these commodities to curbside collections in future years.

Other questions or comments? Call us at (800) 488-MCIA(6242). (We will get back to you during regular business hours.)