Montclair's A to Z Disposal Guide provides handy information on the proper disposal, recycling, or reuse of items in your home.
Aerosol cans (paint or household cleaner) • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Aerosol cans (personal use) • Refuse
Air Conditioner • Household Appliances (sticker required)
Aluminum Foil • Refuse
Montclair's recycling vendor does not accept aluminum foil with recycling.
Ammunition, boxed • Special Disposal
Contact the Montclair Police Department at (973) 744-1234 for instructions.
Antifreeze • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Appliances, small • Donate, or Household Appliances
For donations:
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA): www.scheduleapickup.com or call 1-800-775-VETS (8387)
-OR-
Freecycle
Asbestos • Special Instructions
See the Asbestos Disposal Guide.
Automobiles, Used • Donation
Wheels for Wishes newjersey.wheelsforwishes.org
Automotive Fluids • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Baby Items • Donate
For donations:
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA): www.scheduleapickup.com or call 1-800-775-VETS (8387)
-OR-
Freecycle
Bath Tub • Bulky Waste
Batteries, car • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Batteries, rechargeable • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Batteries, standard/household/alkaline: AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt • Refuse (see explanation)
Most of the heavy metals in household batteries were removed in 1992. Therefore, they are no longer HHW and residents may dispose of them as refuse.
Bed Frame • Donate, or Bulky Waste
For donations: Freecycle
Bicycles • Donate, or Bulky Waste
For donations:
Give your bike a second life with Pedals for Progress (P4P), a NJ non-profit organization which rescues bicycles destined for overburdened landfills – or the Essex Incinerator – and ships them to developing countries where they are sorely needed and highly valued.
The group hosts drop-off collection events in and around the Montclair area. To find the closest upcoming events, go to www.p4p.org and click on "Collection Schedule".
-OR-
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA): www.scheduleapickup.com or call 1-800-775-VETS (8387)
-OR-
Freecycle
Black Light • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Bleach • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Boats, Used • Donation
Wheels for Wishes newjersey.wheelsforwishes.org
Bookcase, metal • Scrap Metal
Bookcase, wood or plastic • Donate, or Bulky Waste
For donations:
Freecycle
Books, hardcover • Donate, or Special Disposal
Donate to the Hillside Swap, used book store, library, hospital, etc.
If in bad condition: If the hardcover can be removed, pull the cover off and the pages can go with mixed paper recycling
OTHERWISE: discard of the book with your household refuse
Books, paperback • Donate, or Mixed Paper Recycling
For donations:
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA): www.scheduleapickup.com or call 1-800-775-VETS (8387)
-OR-
Hillside Swap
Bottle Caps • Refuse
Bottles, glass or plastic • Commingled Recycling
Box Spring • Bulky Waste
Boxes, cardboard • Mixed Paper Recycling
Boxes, corrugated cardboard • Mixed Paper Recycling
Corrugated cardboard must be flattened and preferably tied with twine (not tape), with any non-paper packaging removed.
Boxes, waxed corrugated cardboard • Refuse
Branches • Yard Waste
Brillo Pads • Refuse
Bubble Wrap (tape removed) • Special Recycling or Refuse
Drop off at one of the following locations for recycling:
The UPS Store
41 Watchung Plaza
(973) 744-6611
Montclair Shipping Plus
551 Valley Road
(973) 746-5500
Cans, food and beverage (aluminum, tin, and bi-metal) • Commingled Recycling
Cans, other (clean) • Scrap Metal
Car Seats • Refuse
For safety reasons, car seats should be disposed of as refuse.
Cars, Used • Donation
Wheels for Wishes newjersey.wheelsforwishes.org
Carbon Monoxide Alarm/Detector • Special Smoke Alarm Disposal
Cardboard, boxboard or corrugated • Mixed Paper Recycling
Cardboard, waxed • Refuse
Carpet, rolled or bundled • Bulky Waste (see note)
1 roll = 1 bulky waste item
Cartons, milk or OJ • Commingled Recycling
Cassette, audio • Refuse
Cassette, video • Refuse
Cat Litter • Refuse
CD Cases (jewel cases) • Electronics
CDs/DVDs • Donate, or Electronics
If playable, donate to the Hillside Swap.
CD/DVD players • Electronics
Ceramics • Sell, Donate, or Refuse
Chairs • Donate, or Bulky Waste
For donations: Freecycle
Chemicals, crystallized (identified) • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Chemicals, crystallized (unidentified) • Special Disposal
Contact the Montclair Fire Department at (973) 744-1234 for instructions.
Chemistry Sets • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
China • Refuse (see note)
If in good condition, bring to a consignment shop or donate.
Christmas Holiday Trees • Yard Waste (seasonal) Christmas trees placed at the curb are picked up on a weekly basis during the entire month of January. All decorations, lights, etc. must be removed. Wreaths collected separately with refuse.
Cleaning Fluids • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Clothes Dryer • Household Appliances
Clothing • Donate or Refuse (depending on condition)
If the items are in good condition: Look for a new home for them (donate or sell).
Some options include:
Second Time Around Shop
-OR-
Used clothing bins
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The Vietnam Veterans (VVA) program: www.scheduleapickup.com or call 1-800-775-VETS (8387)
-OR-
The Hillside Swap
-OR-
Freecycle
If your items are in poor condition, dispose of them as refuse.
Coat Hangers, plastic • Refuse
Coat Hangers, wire • Special Recycling or Scrap Metal
Clean wire hangers can be brought back to your local dry cleaner or disposed of as scrap metal.
Commode • Bulky Waste
Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), or Special Disposal
Spent CFLs are also accepted at any Home Depot, Lowes, or Ikea locations.
Computers • Electronics
Construction/Demolition Debris (C&D) • Bulky Waste (see note) or Special Disposal
For Bulky Waste: One (1) can only, weighing no more than 75 pounds
For larger quantities: see Construction/Demolition Disposal Guide
Cooking Oil (Vegetable Oil) • Special Recycling
Bring used cooking oil to the Essex County Utilities Authority located at 125 Fairview Avenue (next to the old hospital center), Cedar Grove, NJ 07009 Phone: (973) 792-9060
You may also call to find out when the next collection day is scheduled.
Cork • Special Recycling
Whole Foods Market provides a cork recycling receptacle (in their exit doorway) which collects cork for the Cork Forest and Conservation Alliance (www.corkforest.org), a non-profit organization.
Cork is a 100% natural, renewable, recyclable and biodegradable material that is obtained through an environmentally-friendly harvesting process. Recycling corks conserves cork forests.
Cosmetics • Refuse
Couch • Donate, or Bulky Waste
For donations: Freecycle
Degreasers • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Dehumidifiers • Household Appliances (sticker required)
Detergent • Refuse (liquid)/Commingled Recycling (container)
Give to a friend, family, or neighbor
-OR-
Discard liquid down the sink and recycle the container with commingled recycling
Dirt • Special Disposal
Residents must make their own arrangements for disposal (i.e. hire a landscaper)
Dishes • Donate or Refuse
Dishwasher • Household Appliances
Disinfectants • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Driveway Sealer • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Dryer • Household Appliances
Electronic Equipment • Electronics
Envelopes, paper • Mixed Paper Recycling
Envelopes with windows are also included.
Explosives/Highly Reactive Materials • Explosives
Call 911 (will alert the police and fire departments)
Eyeglasses • Special Recycling
Eyeglasses can be dropped off at Lens Crafters and Pearle Vision locations.
They can also be mailed to:
New Eyes for the Needy
PO Box 332
Short Hills, NJ 07078
-OR-
New Jersey Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center, Inc.
c/o The Katzenbach School for the Deaf
320 Sullivan Way
West Trenton, NJ 08628
Fans, window-sized or ceiling • Bulky Waste
Fences, metal • Scrap Metal
Fences, other (wood, plastic) • Bulky Waste
File Cabinets, metal • Scrap Metal
File Cabinets, other • Bulky Waste
Fire Extinguisher • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Fireworks • Special Disposal
Contact the Montclair Fire Department at (973) 744-1234 for instructions.
Flag, American • Special Disposal
The United States Flag Code states: "The Flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."
If you have such a flag, put it in the special bin outside the Brookdale ShopRite, or contact the American Legion or VFW who will accept the flag and properly dispose of it.
Floor Wax • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Spent CFLs are also accepted at any Home Depot, Lowes, or Ikea locations.
Foil, aluminum • Refuse
Montclair's recycling vendor does not accept aluminum foil with recycling.
Freezers • Household Appliances (sticker required)
Frozen Meal Boxes (clean) • Mixed Paper Recycling
Fungicides • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Furniture, large • Bulky Waste
Furniture, small • Donate
For donations:
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA): www.scheduleapickup.com or call 1-800-775-VETS (8387)
Game consoles • Electronics
Garbage Cans, metal or rigid plastic • Bulky Waste
Gasoline • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Glass, bottles • Commingled Recycling
Glass, drinking • Refuse
Glass, window panes • Plate Glass
Drop-off at Community Services Yard (219 North Fullerton Avenue, Montclair) on Saturdays from 9am-4pm.
Glassware, kitchenware, homedecor • Donate
For donations:
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA): www.scheduleapickup.com or call 1-800-775-VETS (8387)
Grass Clippings • Home Composting or Yard Waste
Grease (cooking) • Refuse
Grill, charcoal or gas • Scrap Metal
Headboard • Bulky Waste
Helium tank, empty • Scrap Metal
Once empty, unscrew the valve on the tank and bring to the Department of Community Services (219 No. Fullerton Ave),Wednesday/Friday between 2pm and 4pm and Saturdays between 9am and 4pm.
Herbicides • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Hole Punchers, metal • Scrap Metal
Hot Water Heater • Household Appliances
Ink Cartridges • Special Recycling
Bring to your local Staples store for recycling.
Insecticides • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Iron (light iron) • Scrap Metal
Jewelry • Donate
For donations:
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA): www.scheduleapickup.com or call 1-800-775-VETS (8387)
Juice Box • Commingled Recycling
Note: container muse be emptied and the straw removed
Junk Mail • Mixed Paper Recycling
Kerosene • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Kitchen Scraps, animal products (meat, fish, chicken, bones, grease, fat, dairy) • Refuse
Kitchen Scraps, vegetative (fruit and vegetable) • Home Composting or Refuse
Lamps, large (more than 4 feet) • Bulky Waste
Lancets (medical) • Medical Waste
Latex Gloves • Refuse
Latex Paint • Refuse (see note)
2 cans per garbage collection, completely dried, lids off – the lids can go in garbage bags but paint cans must be placed on the ground next to the garbage.
Laundry Detergent Containers, plastic • Commingled Recycling
Lawn Chairs • Bulky Waste
Lawn Mower (oil and gas removed) • Scrap Metal (preferred), or Bulky Waste
Leaves • Home Composting or Yard Waste
Light Bulbs, CFL (compact fluorescent lights) • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), or Special Disposal
Spent CFLs are also accepted at any Home Depot, Lowes, or Ikea locations.
Light Bulbs, incandescent • Refuse
Lighter Fluid • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Linoleum, rolled • Bulky Waste (see note)
1 roll = 1 bulky waste item
Logs/Stumps • Yard Waste
Loveseat • Bulky Waste
Magazines • Mixed Paper Recycling
Mattress • Bulky Waste
Medications • Medical Waste
Mercury and products containing mercury (thermometers, thermostats, fluorescent bulbs) • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Metal (clean metal) • Scrap Metal
Metal Pipes (up to 10 feet in length) • Scrap Metal (preferred), or Bulky Waste
Metal Screens • Bulky Waste (see note)
If loose: one piece = one item
If tied in a bundle of three (3): one bundle = one item
Microwaves • Donate, or Electronics
If usable, for donations:
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA): www.scheduleapickup.com or call 1-800-775-VETS (8387)
Mirrors• Donate, or Refuse
If usable, for donations:
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA): www.scheduleapickup.com or call 1-800-775-VETS (8387)
If broken: Refuse
Motor Oil • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) or Special Recycling
Drop off motor oil at the following facilities:
Montclair MotorWerks
(973) 744-9839
40 Claremont Ave, Montclair, M-F 8-4:30, Saturday 8-noon
$1 per gallon charge
Pines Auto Service
(973) 744-9708
223 Harrison Ave, Montclair
$1 per gallon charge
Motorcycles, Used • Donation
Wheels for Wishes newjersey.wheelsforwishes.org
Nail Polish Remover • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Needles, hypodermic • Medical Waste
Newspapers • Mixed Paper Recycling
Notebooks, spiral • Refuse
Notepad Backing, cardboard • Mixed Paper Recycling
Notepad Paper • Mixed Paper Recycling
Office Paper • Mixed Paper Recycling
Oil, cooking • Special Recycling, or Refuse
Bring used cooking oil to the Essex County Utilities Authority located at 125 Fairview Avenue (next to the old hospital center), Cedar Grove, NJ 07009 (973)-857-2350.
You may also call to find out when the next collection day is scheduled.
Packing Material • Special Recycling, or Refuse
Drop off at one of the following locations for recycling:
The UPS Store
41 Watchung Plaza
(973) 744-6611
Accepts packing peanuts, bubble wrap, flat Styrofoam (polystyrene)
-OR-
Montclair Shipping Plus
551 Valley Road
(973) 746-5500
Accepts packing peanuts, sealed air bags, bubble wrap (tape removed)
Packing Peanuts • Special Recycling, or Refuse
Drop off at one of the following locations for recycling:
The UPS Store
41 Watchung Plaza
(973) 744-6611
Montclair Shipping Plus
551 Valley Road
(973) 746-5500
Padded Envelopes • Refuse
Paint Cans, empty • Refuse
Paint Thinners • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Paint, latex • Refuse (see note)
Paint cans containing small amounts of latex paint can be disposed of by first drying out the paint: open the lid and let the paint dry outdoors, away from children and pets.
If the can of latex paint still has a substantial amount of liquid paint (one inch or more) it will not dry; you can simply add a paint hardener/drying product, which can be purchased at any hardware store. Once the latex paint has completely hardened you may dispose of it as refuse.
Of course, if the latex paint is usable and there is a significant quantity, try to use it up; or, try to donate it to a community organization.
Paint, oil based • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Paints, aerosol spray • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Paper Bags • Mixed Paper Recycling
Perfume • Refuse
Pesticides • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Pet Waste • Refuse (see note)
Due to health concerns, dog and cat waste should not be composted.
Dog walkers should dispose of their pet waste in their household refuse, not in a public container in the commercial districts.
Photography/Darkroom Chemicals • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Pizza Boxes • Refuse
Plastic Bags • Special Recycling, or Refuse
Plastic bags can be recycled at many supermarkets (A&P, Kings, Whole Foods).
Plastic Bottles • Commingled Recycling
Plastic Cutlery • Refuse
Plastic Wrap • Refuse
Plate Glass • Special Disposal (see below)
Drop-off at Community Services Yard (219 North Fullerton Avenue, Montclair) on Saturdays from 9am-4pm.
Pool Chemicals/Cleaners • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Pool, baby swimming pool • Bulky Waste
Porcelain Sink • Bulky Waste
Pots and Pans • Donate, or Refuse
Prescription Medications • Medical Waste
Pressure Treated Wood • Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris
Printers • Electronics
Propane Tank • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
PVC Pipes (up to 10 feet in length) • Bulky Waste
Radios/Stereos • Donate, or Electronics
For donations:
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA): www.scheduleapickup.com or call 1-800-775-VETS (8387)
Refrigerator • Household Appliances (sticker required)
Remotes • Electronics
Rugs, rolled or bundled • Donate, or Bulky Waste (see note)
If usable, for donations:
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA): www.scheduleapickup.com or call 1-800-775-VETS (8387)
If bulky waste:
1 roll = 1 bulky waste item
Sharps (syringes, hypodermic needles, and lancets) • Medical Waste
Shipping Boxes, cardboard • Mixed Paper Recycling
Shoes • Donate
For donations:
Planet Aid bins around town
-OR-
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA): www.scheduleapickup.com or call 1-800-775-VETS (8387)
Shrubs • Yard Waste
Sink, cast iron • Bulky Waste
Smoke Alarm/Detector • Special Smoke Alarm Disposal
Return to manufacturer or contact appropriate facility.
Snow blower (oil and gas removed) • Bulky Waste
Soaps • Refuse
Sofa • Bulky Waste
Sponges • Refuse
Sports Equipment • Donate
If in good condition:
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA): www.scheduleapickup.com or call 1-800-775-VETS (8387)
Spot Remover • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Spray Paints, aerosol • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Staplers, staples (metal) • Scrap Metal
Steering Fluid • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Stereos/Radios • Donate or Electronics
For donations:
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA): www.scheduleapickup.com or call 1-800-775-VETS (8387)
-OR-
Freecycle
Sticky Notes • Mixed Paper Recycling
Stones • Special Disposal
Residents must make their own arrangements for disposal (i.e. hire a landscaper)
Styrofoam
Bring select Styrofoam waste to Montclair’s Community Services Yard every other Saturday.
When: Every other Saturday, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. or until the collection truck is full.
Where: 219 North Fullerton Avenue, Montclair (where other recycled goods are collected)
We’ll recycle these:
(Items accepted ONLY if they are in a clear plastic bag)
- clean, white, hard molded foam coolers
- protective Styrofoam commonly used in shipping: large, white, hard molded pieces and foam sheets, e.g., material used to protect furniture & e-commerce deliveries
We will not accept these:
- Styrofoam cups
- Styrofoam food trays / plates (even if clean/unused)
- Styrofoam egg cartons
- Styrofoam packing peanuts
- Styrofoam products not in clear plastic bags – Styrofoam products not in clear plastic bags will not be accepted and will be turned away. DCS does not provide clear plastic bags.
Please remove any tape, paper, cardboard, etc. also, be sure to check for the number 6 recycling symbol.
Styrofoam (polystyrene), packing peanuts • Special Recycling or Refuse
Drop off at the following location for recycling:
Montclair Shipping Plus
551 Valley Road
(973) 746-5500
Swimming pool (baby pool) • Bulky Waste
Syringes • Medical Waste
Tables • Bulky Waste
Telephone Books • Mixed Paper Recycling
Televisions • Electronics
Thermostats • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Tires • Special Disposal
Tires (up to 1100 series) are accepted for recycling in Montclair Tires and can be dropped off at the Public Works Center (219 North Fullerton Avenue) on Saturday between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There is a fee of $2.00 per tire without the rim or $5.00 per tire with rim, which must be paid before drop-off.
The office is only open on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Toaster • Scrap Metal
Toilet • Bulky Waste
Toilet Cleaner • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Tools • Donate
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA): www.scheduleapickup.com or call 1-800-775-VETS (8387)
Toys • Donate
For small toys: drop off in the Planet Aid bins around town
For large toys: contact the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA): www.scheduleapickup.com or call 1-800-775-VETS (8387)
-OR-
Freecycle
Treated Wood • Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris
Tree Stump • Yard Waste
Trucks, Used • Donation
Wheels for Wishes newjersey.wheelsforwishes.org
Umbrella, beach or patio • Bulky Waste
UV Lamps (black light) • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Vacuum Cleaner • Bulky Waste
Varnish • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Vehicles, Used • Donation
Wheels for Wishes newjersey.wheelsforwishes.org
VHS Tapes • Electronics
Washer Fluid • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Washing Machines • Household Appliances
Weeds • Yard Waste (quantity dependent)
Window Frames, metal (glass removed) • Scrap Metal, or Bulky Waste (see note)
If loose: one piece = one item
If tied in a bundle of three (3): one bundle = one item
Windows • Plate Glass
Drop-off at Community Services Yard (219 North Fullerton Avenue, Montclair) on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Wood Preservative and Oil-Based Stains • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Woody Waste (from trees) • Yard Waste
Wrapping Paper, metallic • Refuse
Wrapping Paper, non-metallic • Mixed Paper Recycling
Wreaths • Refuse
Yard Waste (leaves and grass) • Yard Waste
Zinc batteries • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Zip disks/Zip drives • Electronics