Recycling & Composting

If you have questions, call the MCMUA at (973) 285-8394. For materials that are not accepted elsewhere or not listed, please check the MCMUA Materials Guide.

BATTERIES
Do not dispose batteries in your trash or recycling bin. Batteries contain toxic heavy metals and should be disposed of properly. Some batteries have the potential to explode. The batteries listed below may be dropped off at the Department of Public Works during regular business hours. Click here for more information. 

• AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, phone, camera, power tools, 11 lbs or smaller
• Rechargeable Batteries (Lithium, Lithium Ion, Nickel-metal hydride, Nickle-cadmium)
• Alkaline, Zinc Air, Zinc Carbon Batteries
• “L” Button Cell Batteries (Lithium, Alkaline) Identification numbers that start with “L”

The batteries listed below are considered household hazardous waste.  Please refer to the MCMUA website for disposal.

• “S” Button Cell Batteries (Silver Oxide)
• Lead-Acid Batteries (Car & Boat)

STYROFOAM (POLYSTYRENE #6)
Through a shared-services agreement, residents can recycle their clean, white Styrofoam (only polystyrene #6) by drop-off at the Borough of Madison Recycling Center located at 34 John Avenue.

• Only EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam (Styrofoam) is accepted.  This includes EPS foam, rigid packaging, and Styrofoam boxes.
• XPS (extruded polystyrene) foam is NOT accepted.  This includes food service foam, colored foam, meat trays, packing peanuts/foam, and foam cups.
• Must be clean from dirt, dust, and paint.
• Remove all tape, stickers, cardboard, glue, and labels.

TANGLEWOOD LANE RECYCLING DEPOT
The Tanglewood Lane Recycling Depot located at the end of Tanglewood Lane can be utilized by residents to drop-off the materials below, in addition to any materials that are acceptable for curbside pickup.  The materials below may not be placed curbside for collection, only for drop-off.

DROP-OFF ONLY!  NO CURBSIDE COLLECTION

•   Clothing (not loose, must be in plastic bags)
•   Latex Paint (add kitty litter or speedy dry to partially full cans, stir and let dry completely, replace lid and drop off)
•   Large, Rigid Plastics (large toys, laundry baskets, soda and milk crates, pet carriers, buckets (remove metal), storage containers, garbage & recycling containers, empty & dry plastic paint cans, plastic outdoor furniture (without PVC pipes)
•   Christmas Trees

TANGLEWOOD LANE COMPOST FACILITY
Chatham Township offers residents the option and convenience of dropping off compostable yard waste at the Tanglewood Lane Compost Area.  Curbside pick-up is not provided. A valid government-issued identification showing proof of residence is all that is needed to enter the facility.

This service is available only to Chatham Township residents using a car or pick-up truck for drop-off. If you intend to use a truck larger than a pick-up truck, owned or borrowed, you must schedule the drop-off by calling the Department of Public Works and providing a description of the vehicle and the license plate number.

ACCEPTABLE MATERIALS
Grass Clippings, Leaves, Branches

UNACCEPTABLE MATERIALS
Stumps, Building Materials, Rocks & Stones, Bio-degradable Bags, Railroad Ties, Concrete, Firewood, Planters and Plastic Bags                      

•    Whatever type of container/bag you transport organic material in, you must take back with you after unloading.
•    Leaves and grass must be separated and loaded in the designated area.
•    Branches must be separated from leaves and grass and placed in the brush pile.
•    Branches must be no larger than 4 inches in diameter and 8 feet in length.

The inclusion of non-acceptable materials leads to severe damage to expensive equipment used for the shredding of compost material and potential danger of physical harm to the compost operators.

Landscapers must contact the Department of Public Works for purchase of compost permits at 973-604-7840. Compost is open to landscapers beginning April 1, 2025.

RECYCLE COACH APP
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has encourages the use of a free app called Recycle Coach. The app’s home page can be found here.