30 Dec
2020
30 Dec
'20
1:13 p.m.
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