Questions/Contact us: rurecycles@ipo.rutgers.edu

What is “Single Stream” recycling?

Single stream recycling is a technical term that describes the comingling of all recyclable materials (plastics, cardboard, paper, etc.) instead of being separating each item by type.

Can I recycle my plastic bags?

No. Plastic bags must be placed in the “Trash” receptacle

Can I recycle pizza boxes?

Yes, but only if it does not have any cheese or grease on it. 

I have food in my plastic #1, #2, or #5 container.  Can I still recycle it?

If the container is soiled with food, place it in the “Trash” receptacle.  If you pour out any leftover liquid and rinse/wash out any food, the container can be recycled.   

Should I remove the top from my plastic bottle before placing it in the recycling receptacle?

Yes. Bottle tops, though made of #5 plastic, cannot be captured by the machinery at the Material Recovery Facility.  They should be removed and placed in the “Trash” receptacle.

Do I need to remove labels from containers?

No. As long as the container is empty there is no need to remove the label.

How should I dispose of old medicine?
How do I order a dumpster?

Please click here for dumpster request information.

How do I order a recycling toter for an office cleanout?

Please click here for recycling toter request information

Who do I contact to shred/recycle confidential materials?

Rutgers Business Services handles all confidential shredding.

Where does my recycling go and what happens to it after it is  hauled away?

Camden

  • Single Stream Recycling is collected in Camden by Direct Waste Services and is taken to Omni Recycling located in Pitman, NJ.  Recyclables are sorted into different saleable commodities, and then baled/packaged and sold to manufacturers and used to make new products.
New Brunswick/Piscataway
  • Single Stream Recycling is collected in New Brunswick/Piscataway by Waste Management and taken to Colgate Paper Stock in New Brunswick, NJ.  Recyclables are sorted into different saleable commodities, and then baled/packaged and sold to manufacturers and used to make new products.
Newark
  • Single Stream Recycling is collected in Newark by Direct Waste Services and is taken to G&F Recycling located in Newark, NJ.  Recyclables are sorted into different saleable commodities.  Those commodities are baled/packaged and sold to manufacturers where they are used to make new products.
Where does my trash go and what happens to it after it’s taken away?

Camden

  • Trash is collected in Camden by Direct Waste Services and taken to Covanta located in Camden, NJ. It is incinerated to generate electricity.
New Brunswick/Piscataway
  • Trash is collected in New Brunswick/Piscataway by Waste Management and is taken to the Middlesex County Landfill located in East Brunswick, NJ. 
Newark
  • Trash collected in Newark is taken to a Covanta location and is incinerated to generate electricity.
What do the three chasing arrows of the recycling mobius mean?

Each arrow represents one step in the three step process that completes the recycling loop.

  • The first step is collection. This is when you put your recyclables into a recycling bin. If clean, the collected materials are then marketed and sold to a manufacturing facility.
  • The second step is the manufacturing process.  The recyclable materials are converted into new products and shipped to stores across the country as new consumer goods.
  • The third step is purchasing products manufactured from recycled material.  Only after you, the consumer, purchase products made with recycled content is the recycling loop complete.