Mandatory
Source Separation RecyclingWhy Source
Separate?
In Morris County Solid Waste Management
Plan requires "source
separation" to be the primary
method of separating the recyclable waste
stream from the solid waste stream for
the following reasons:
Source
separation is mandated by law
under the New Jersey Source
Separation and Recycling Act
(N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99 et. seq.).
In support of this law the MCMUA
favors a consistent source
separation policy throughout the
residential, commercial and
institutional sectors.
Source
separation promotes the removal
of all designated recyclable
materials from the waste stream
and, therefore, helps in
achieving high reduction rates.
Source
Separation promotes clean,
marketable materials by limiting
levels of contamination.
Contamination undermines
long-term marketability of
recyclable materials.
Source
Separation enables the recycler
at the source to receive the
economic benefits of cost
avoidance by not disposing of
recyclable materials as solid
waste as well as enabling the
recycler to receive revenue by
the sale of the recyclable
material.
Source
separation fosters a free market,
independent of the solid waste
collection and disposal system.
This reduces the need for
burdensome regulations and costly
enforcement.
Proper
documentation is difficult, if
not impossible, when recyclables
are mixed with solid waste.
Source
separation fosters competition
among recycling companies,
thereby keeping costs low and
quality of services high.
Source
separation encourages a thought
process among each individual
recycler that solid waste
disposal is every person's
responsibility. This can foster
further source reduction and
recycling activities at work,
home and school.
This below list of mandated materials represents the
minimum requirements for residents,
business and institutions in Morris
County. Individual municipalities may
mandate additional materials in their
municipal recycling ordinances.
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Materials Mandated to be Source Separated and Recycled
Morris County, New Jersey
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Aluminum Cans
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Cans made from aluminum that was manufactured to hold a serving of a beverage. Specifically
omitted from this definition are aluminum foil and aluminum pie plates.
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Glass Bottles and Jars
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Bottles and jars made from glass including clear, brown and green glass. A bottle is defined
as a receptacle having a narrow neck and a mouth that can be corked or capped. A jar is defined as a wide
mouthed container that can be capped. Caps and lids not included. Specifically omitted from this definition
are drinking glasses, windows, mirrors, light bulbs, and anything made of Pyrex® or ceramic.
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Plastic Bottles
(coded 1 and 2)
 
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Plastic bottles coded to indicate that they are comprised of the specific types of plastic
compounds (polymers) known as polyethylene terephthalate (PETE) or high density polyethylene
(HDPE). See symbols to the left. A bottle is defined as a receptacle having a narrow neck and a mouth that
can be corked or capped. Caps and lids not included. Any item made of plastic that is not a bottle, and any
plastic bottle without one of the symbols shown to the left is specifically omitted from this
definition.
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Steel (Tin) Cans
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An air-tight container for the distribution or storage of goods, composed of thin,
usually ferrous, metal. Examples are soup cans and tuna fish cans.
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Newspaper
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A publication containing news, information and advertising, usually printed on
low-cost paper called newsprint. Newspaper may include glossy inserts which come with the paper,
dependent upon the market conditions at the time.
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Corrugated Cardboard
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Shipping containers made with kraft paper linerboard and corrugated medium.
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Mixed Paper
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Various categories of recyclable paper including, but not limited to white and
colored paper used in printers, photocopiers and fax machines, white and colored ledger paper,
carbonless copy paper, construction paper, undeliverable mail, mailed promotional letters/
advertisements/circulars, magazines, catalogues, envelopes, soft cover books.
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Leaves
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Vegetative material, typically generated in the autumn when they fall from trees
and then are raked from residents' and/or commercial lawns.
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Grass Clippings
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Vegetative material generated when grass (lawns) are cut.
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Brush
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Branches, woody plants and other similar vegetative material. Leaves and grass
do not constitute brush.
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Natural Wood Waste
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Logs, stumps, branches and other wood tree parts. Dimensional lumber is omitted from
inclusion in this definition.
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Oil-Contaminated Soil
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Non-hazardous soil that contains petroleum hydrocarbons (gasoline, diesel, kerosene,
jet fuel, #4 & #6 heating oils and certain other refinery products including coal tar). This type
of soil shall be determined to be non-hazardous in accordance with the standards set forth in N.J.A.C. 7:26.
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Used Motor Oil
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Motor oil from motor vehicles, lawn mowers, boats, etc., which has served its
intended useful purpose.
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Lead-Acid Batteries
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Storage batteries in which the electrodes are grids of lead containing
lead oxides that change in composition during charging and
discharging, and the electrolyte is dilute sulfuric acid.
These include starting batteries such as car batteries
that deliver a short burst of high power to start the engine.
In addition, they may include deep cell batteries found
on boats or campers used to power accessories like trolling
motors, winches or lights.
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Hazardous Dry Cell Batteries
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Rechargeable batteries, such as nickel-cadmium, nickel-iron, nickel metal
hydride, lithium ion, small sealed lead acid, etc. These are often used as substitutes for
non-rechargeable batteries in standard sizes such as AAA, AA, C, D and 9V. Rechargeable
batteries are commonly found in cordless tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop
computers, cameras, remote controls, toys, etc. Also included in this definition are
non-rechargeable batteries that are hazardous as defined by the Resource Conservation
Recovery Act ("RCRA"), regardless of the RCRA exclusion of household waste from
the definition of hazardous waste pursuant to 40 C.F.R. 261.4(b). Non-rechargeable,
hazardous batteries include older alkaline and carbon zinc batteries as well as silver oxide,
mercury and magnesium button-type batteries, etc. It should be noted that domestically manufactured
alkaline and carbon zinc non-rechargeable batteries made after circa 1994 eliminated mercury
content to the point that they should not be considered RCRA hazardous and therefore are not
included in this material category.
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Metal Appliances
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Appliances composed predominantly of metal, and may include stoves,
washing machines and dryers, for example, if the appliance is predominantly
metal. Also included are air conditioners, refrigerators and dehumidifiers
if they are predominantly metal. If these appliances on the latter list contain
refrigerants that are prohibited by the Clean Air Act from being knowingly vented, the
refrigerant must be recovered accordingly.
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Whole Tires*
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Tires that are whole, not chipped into small pieces. *Tires are allowed to be recycled
and/or incinerated for energy recovery.
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The following section explains the changes made to each of
the material categories, if any, since the 1993 Plan Amendment.
Newspaper - There is no change to the source separation requirement
for Newspaper. This material remains mandatory for all generators to source separate and recycle.
Corrugated Cardboard - In the 1993 Plan Amendment, this material was
referred to as "Corrugated." The term Corrugated Cardboard better explains type of
material defined. There is no change to the source separation requirement for Corrugated Cardboard. It
continues to be mandatory for all generators to source separate and recycle this material.
Mixed Paper - There is no change to the source separation requirement
for Mixed Paper. It continues to be mandatory for all generators to source separate and recycle this
material.
Aluminum Cans - In the 1993 Plan Amendment, this material was
referred to as "Aluminum," and the intent was that it meant Aluminum Cans. The
word "Cans" has been added to clarify the intent. Aluminum foil and aluminum pie plates
are not included in this material. Otherwise, there is no change to the source separation requirement
for Aluminum Cans. It continues to be mandatory for all generators to source separate and recycle this material.
Plastic Bottles coded 1 and 2 - In the 1993 Plan Amendment, this material
was referred to as "Plastic Containers." It has since been learned that markets exist primarily for
PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate) and HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) plastic bottles
(coded number 1 and number 2, respectively). See the symbols that follow. The word "Containers" has
been replaced with the phrase "Bottles coded 1 and 2" to clarify that only bottles with the codes 1 and 2
as shown below are included in this material category, and other plastic bottles and containers are not. A bottle
is defined as a receptacle having a narrow neck and a mouth that can be corked or capped. Otherwise, there is
no change to the source separation requirement for Plastic Bottles coded 1 and 2. It continues to be mandatory
for all generators to source separate and recycle this material.
Polyethylene Terephthalate:
High Density Polyethylene:
Glass Bottles and Jars - In the 1993 Plan Amendment, this material was
referred to as "Glass Containers," and the intent was that meant Glass Bottles and Jars. The
phrase "Bottles and Jars" has been added to clarify the intent. For example, drinking glasses
and Pyrex® containers are not included in this material. Otherwise, there is no change to the source separation
requirement for Glass Bottles and Jars. It continues to be mandatory for all generators to source
separate and recycle this material.
Steel Cans - In the 1993 Plan Amendment, this material was referred to as
"Ferrous Containers." It is now felt that a more recognizable term to describe this material is
Steel Cans. Otherwise, there is no change to the source separation requirement for Steel Cans. It
continues to be mandatory for all generators to source separate and recycle this material.
Leaves - In the 1993 Plan Amendment, this material was referred to as
"Yard Waste." Leaves has been included as a separate item, in lieu of the broader term "Yard
Waste," in order to differentiate between leaves and other organic material that is generated
outdoors. Otherwise, there is no change to the source separation requirement for Leaves. It
continues to be mandatory for all generators to source separate and recycle this material.
Grass - In the 1993 Plan Amendment, this material was referred to as
"Yard Waste." Grass has been included as a separate item, in lieu of the broader term
"Yard Waste," in order to differentiate between grass and other organic material that
is generated outdoors. Otherwise, there is no change to the source separation requirement
for Grass. It continues to be mandatory for all generators to source separate and recycle this material.
Brush - In the 1993 Plan Amendment, this material was referred to as
"Yard Waste." Brush has been included as a separate item, in lieu of the broader term
"Yard Waste," in order to differentiate between brush and other organic material
that is generated outdoors. Otherwise, there is no change to the source separation requirement for
Brush. It continues to be mandatory for all generators to source separate and recycle this material.
Lead-Acid Batteries - In the 1993 Plan Amendment, this material was referred
to as "Vehicular Batteries." The term Lead-Acid Batteries better explains type of material defined.
Otherwise, there is no change to the source separation requirement for Lead-Acid Batteries. It continues
to be mandatory for all generators to source separate and recycle this material.
Metal Appliances - In the 1993 Plan Amendment, this material was referred to as
"White Goods." It is now felt that a more recognizable term to describe this material is Metal
Appliances. Otherwise, there is no change to the source separation requirement for Metal Appliances. It
continues to be mandatory for all generators to source separate and recycle this material.
Used Motor Oil - In the 1993 Plan Amendment, this material was referred to as
"Motor Oil." The term was changed slightly to Used Motor Oil to more clearly indicate that this
is motor oil which has been used. Otherwise, there is no change to the source separation requirement for
Used Motor Oil. It continues to be mandatory for all generators to source separate and recycle this material.
Oil Contaminated Soil – There is no change to the source separation
requirement for Oil-Contaminated Soil. It continues to be mandatory for all generators to source separate and
recycle this material.
Natural Wood Waste - In the 1993 Plan Amendment, this material was referred
to as "Stumps," and the remarks indicated that the term Stumps included "logs, branches, natural wood waste."
A more inclusive term to describe this material is Natural Wood Waste, which includes stumps logs and branches and
other wood tree parts. Otherwise, there is no change to the source separation requirement for Natural Wood Waste.
It continues to be mandatory for all generators to source separate and recycle this material.
Hazardous Dry Cell Batteries - In the 1993 Plan Amendment, this material was
referred to as "Household Batteries." The term Hazardous Dry Cell Batteries better explains the material
defined. This category has been modified slightly and now allows non-hazardous dry cell batteries to be
disposed as MSW. Circa 1994, most non-rechargeable dry cell batteries became non-hazardous when the
battery industry removed most of the mercury contained in the dry cell. If the industry continues to
change the formulation of dry cell batteries, rechargeable and/or non-rechargeable, the determination of
whether or not the battery must be source separated and recycled is based on whether or not it is hazardous.
Whole Tires - In the 1993 Plan Amendment, this material was referred to as
"Tires." The category is now renamed Whole Tires to differentiate between whole tires and
chipped tires. Chipped tires are excluded from this definition. Another change with this Plan Amendment
regarding whole tires is that whole tires are allowed to be incinerated for energy recovery. Whole Tires are
not acceptable at the transfer station for disposal since whole tires are not allowed for disposal at landfills,
due to the fact that they tend to resurface after having been buried. Whole Tires are, however, allowed to be
incinerated for energy recovery (waste-to-energy) or as a tire-derived fuel (TDF). Waste-to-energy is considered
by the NJDEP to a "beneficial use." The category "beneficial use" is a separate and distinct
waste handling method from recycling and is therefore not considered to be recycling. Therefore, Whole Tires
are an exception on this list of designated materials in that all of the materials on this list must be recycled.
Whole Tires must either be recycled or incinerated for energy recovery as a beneficial use.
