There will be a new recycling program starting early 2012.
Q: How do I know which schedule to follow?
A: The part of Metuchen in which you are located.
The map above shows the four regions of Metuchen created by using Main Street and the Pennsylvania Rail Road as dividers.
What can be collected?
The following items can be picked up at the curb when left out properly.
• Garbage & Bulk • Newspaper • Mixed Paper & Corrugated Cardboard • Aluminum Cans • Steel & Tin Cans • Plastic (1-5) • Glass Bottles • Metal • Yard Waste (Grass, Leaves, Brush & Tree Parts) • X-mas Trees.
Electronics - ITEMS ACCEPTED: Computers including: Monitors, Scanners, CPU’s, Modems, Printers, Cables, Keyboards and Televisions Only! All the above items are to be taken down to the Recycling Center.
Mixed News - Newspaper including any inserts (glossy or newsprint). Magazines, junk mail, cereal boxes, shoeboxes, office paper, telephone books, brown grocery bags, gift-wrapping & corrugated boxes are all acceptable mixed paper & corrugated recyclables. The pages of any book may also be collected, provided that hard covers are removed and placed out for trash.
All papers and corrugated items described above may be mixed together and placed at the curb using the department-distributed blue rectangular container. You may place this container at the curb with the lid on (if you have one) for collection when the schedule says "Mixed News”. You may also use a 32 gallon container, box or paper grocery bag as a container. No Limit.
Aluminum Cans and Foil - Soda, Beer & Juice Cans. Pie plates & 
Foil Scrap
Steel and Tin Cans - Soup, Pet food, empty aerosol cans and similarly constructed containers.
Glass - Only glass containers that contained food or drink.
Ceramics, porcelain, mirrors, glass windowpanes, etc. ARE NOT RECYCLABLE.
Plastic - Only plastics with a 1 - 5 in the recycling symbol on the bottom are recyclable. Residents may mix Aluminum, Glass, Tin and Plastic Cans together in the Blue Recycling Automated Container on there scheduled day for “Commingle” (Cans & Bottles). No Paper products.
Plastic grocery bags are not recyclable. Discarded plastic garbage containers will be taken as bulk trash. Please indicate with a note.
Metal - An appointment is ALWAYS needed to collect metal items. Call by 2:30 p.m. Friday's for pick-up 732-632-8519.
Metal appliances, cast iron sink or tub, lawn furniture, stove, washer, dryer, window frames (glass removed for regular garbage collection--not recyclable), door frames, sofa bed frameworks (separated from sofa), pipes and any other item or items existing of a metal component can only be picked up when you call.
Grass - Weeds, tomato & flower plants, and small hedge clippings. - Place in garbage cans or biodegradable bags. Maximum 50 lbs. per container or bag. WHEN POSSIBLE CUT IT AND LEAVE IT! NO YARD WASTE WILL BE COLLECTED IN PLASTIC BAGS!
Leaves - Collected in paper biodegradable bags only. Do not place leaves in street or out in plastic bags or garbage cans.
Brush and Tree Parts -Branches, twigs, shrubs and heavy vines. 4-inch diameter or smaller, bundled in 4ft. lengths, tied or in containers. WHEN COLLECTED CURB SIDE, UNLIMITED IF TIED IN BUNDLES 50 LBS. AND UNDER.
Brush and tree parts will no longer be accepted at the recycling center at any time. All brush and tree parts will be picked up curbside only. Please remember to follow proper cutting and tying necessary for pick-up.
Christmas Trees - X-mas trees will not be collected in plastic bags! If you have an artificial X-mas tree to be picked up you would need to call for a bulk trash pick up.
