News & Announcements
Mendham Township Official News & Announcements.
Change to Mendham Township's Recycling Service
Release Date: December 30, 2020
A Message from Mayor Sarah Neibart
Earlier this week you should have received a letter that Mendham Township has returned to the “dual stream” recycling collection process for 2021. Starting on Monday, January 4, 2021, the recycling collection day has changed to Mondays with paper products being picked up on the first Monday of 2021 (January 4th) followed by bottles and cans on the following Monday (January 11th).
Recycling pick-up tomorrow - Thursday, December 31st is not impacted by this change and will be the last day to put out all your recyclables (paper, plastics, cans, etc.) together.
Over the last few years, the Township’s municipal recycling program has become extremely expensive and unpredictable. Before 2020, Mendham Township did not offer a weekly recycling program. In 2020, when we transitioned our waste management program, we received a reasonable bid for weekly recycling service. Unfortunately, the proposal for 2021 was too expensive and the Township looked for a more sustainable long-term alternative.
Over the past year, we learned how infrastructure and costs to process recyclable materials are often limiting, and mixed recyclable materials can often be contaminated with non-recyclable waste. This can result in materials ending up in landfills. As communities across the country adapt to new sustainable recycling practices, Mendham Township aims to be cost effective and help encourage more efficient recycling.
Many towns, including Mendham Township, are working to reduce relatively high contamination rates that result in less recyclable materials actually being recycled. To ensure that collected product is being recycled and to increase the quality of materials for the market, the recommendation was for the Township to look into dual-stream recycling.
The Environmental Commission is working on setting up a webinar with the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority shortly to discuss Mendham Township's new recycling program, and to give residents the opportunity to ask further questions on the new collection system. The Township will keep residents informed as this progresses. In the meantime, please refer to the packet you should have received in the mail. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us by email or call: (973) 543-4555.
Sarah Neibart
Mayor, Mendham Township