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1. Are hard cover books a recyclable item?

The outside cover of the hard cover books must be removed and thrown in the regular household garbage. The inside pages can then be put in the recycling.

Paper back books are recyclable

2. As a business entity, am I eligible to participate in the curbside recycling program?

Small Business Recycling Program

Small businesses are eligible to participate in the curbside recycling program if they meet the following criteria. Businesses must place no more than 4 recycling buckets (either green or yellow) and 15 units of corrugated cardboard out for collection on each scheduled recycling day. Businesses who have more than 4 but less than 10 buckets (either type) on any scheduled recycling day can participate in the program for a fee of $150 per year. Please contact the MCIA recycling office at 609-278-8086 for information and stickers.

For businesses who exceed this, they must obtain a private contract with a recycling disposal company.

Commercial Recycling

Commercial and institutional establishments who are not eligible for the small business program are required to make their own arrangements for recycling. Contact a waste hauler for information on what recycling services the company can provide. Please be sure that the hauler provides documentation on the amount of materials collected for recycling. Municipalities must provide tonnage information to the State of New Jersey each year. Information on recycling by commercial establishments must be included. For more information, contact Recycling Department at 609-278-8086 or the Hamstat Call Center at 609-586-0311.

3. Can I really put everything in the same bucket?

Yes, you can place all acceptable recyclable materials into the yellow and/or green buckets. It makes no difference which bucket you place the materials in. Single stream technology does what it says: glass, aluminum, metal and acceptable plastics, newspapers, magazines and cardboard all in one bucket. The recyclable materials will be separated at a recycling facility.

4. Can I still use the yellow and green recycling buckets?

Yes, residents can still continue to use either the yellow and/or green recycling buckets. The only difference with single stream is that you do not have to separate the recyclable material by bucket. Cans, bottles, glass, newspapers, magazines, etc. can now be placed all together in either bucket. Mercer County residents are asked to use the yellow and green buckets to help identify the recyclable material.

5. Can shredded paper go in the recycling?

Shredded paper can be put in recycling container for recycling pick up.

Shredded paper cannot be taken to the Ecological Facility.

6. How many recycling buckets can I place at the curb?

Residents can place up to four buckets at the curb per collection day. Cardboard that will not fit in the bucket can be placed on the side of the bucket.

7. What is single stream recycling collection?

Single stream recycling collection is a user-friendly system that allows residents to place all acceptable recyclable materials into one container and for the recycling haulers to place these same recyclables into one collection vehicle. This process facilitates the decrease of collection vehicles on the road and subsequently vehicle emissions.

8. What items go into curbside recycling?

Access the Mercer County Improvement Authority (MCIA) website to learn about Accepted and Not Accepted Materials.

9. Where do I go to recycle a cell phone?

You can take your used cell phone to the senior center. Visit Call2Recycle to find the cell phone recycling locations.

10. What happens if my regularly scheduled recycling pickup falls on a holiday where there is no pickup?

• There are no holidays that fall on a recycling day for the year 2023. 

11. What do I do if my house was missed for pickup on recycling day?

If your house was missed for collection on your regularly scheduled recycling day, call our office between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm; you may also leave a message after hours or on weekends at 609-278-8086 or you can fill out the Missed Stop Form. The Recycling Department is dedicated to serving our recycling customers.

For recycling changes in schedules such as holidays and inclement weather, residents can call the MCIA Recycling Hotline 24 hours a day at 609-394-0100.

For more information about recycling and recycling schedules, please visit the Mercer County Improvement Authority's website.

12. Where do I get a replacement or new recycling bucket?

Recycling containers are available to Hamilton Township residents at the Ecological Facility located at 1360 Kuser Road.