Frequently Asked Questions

Used syringes are a common contaminant at our recycling center and also a dangerous one that puts the safety of our workers at risk! Therefore, they do not belong in your recycling container. Never put them in recycling. To safely dispose of used syringes, check with your doctor about a prescription for containers for used sharps or you may buy them online. If you do not wish to pursue either of these options, place the clipped needle and syringe in a sturdy plastic container such as a detergent bottle. Put a warning label stating "WARNING: USED SYRINGES" on the container. Seal the bottle and tightly recap it as well as duct tape it. To correctly and safely dispose of the container, please bring it to a participating hospital or place it in your regular trash. DO NOT RECYCLE THIS CONTAINER. For more information, please visit our safe syringe disposal webpage at http://co.burlington.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/3871/Safe-Syringe-Flyer-2020?bidId=

Aerosol cans are no longer recyclable in our program. Over recent years there have been fires caused by the compression of the cans during collection and processing, posing a great hazard to our trucks, facility, and workers. Therefore, aerosol cans are not accepted in the Burlington County Regional Recycling Program. Aerosol cans should be fully empty before placing in your regular trash. 

NO!  The recyclable labeling is misleading. Plastic air pillows, bubble wrap and Styrofoam, etc. cannot be recycled in municipal recycling programs, including ours.

Local grocery stores and large retailers that take back and recycle plastic bags may take the air pillows and bubble wrap.  Check with store manager on what is acceptable at their plastic bag dropoff.

There are no local options to recycle most foam packaging which is coded #6 inside the "recycling" symbol.

NO, the metal hangers damage recycling sorting equipment and we have no market for the plastic hangers.

Most scrap yards will recycle metal hangers.  You can visit Earth911 and search “metal hangers” to find the closest scrap yard location.  You can also try to other options listed below: 

• Contact your town to see if they have a scrap metal dropoff or will take them on scrap metal collection days.
• Bring them to the Convenience Center at the Burlington County Resource Recovery Complex, 22000 Burlington-Columbus Road, Florence, NJ  08518.

Unfortunately, at this time, we are unaware of any programs that recycle plastic hangers. Other than finding creative ways to reuse them, they should be put in your household trash.

New Shredded Paper Guidelines

The boxes from frozen foods have various types of coatings which cause problems when paper mills try to separate the fiber (paper) layer.  They are unlike the shelf stable cartons used for boxed juice and broth and the refrigerated cartons for milk and orange juice, which are coated with a single layer of polyethylene.

• Recycling is the law, enforced through the local municipal ordinances.
• Recycling saves money. When municipalities send less to the landfill, they spend less of your tax dollars on disposal fees.
• Recycling reduces trash. It will extend the life of the landfill.
• Recycling conserves natural and nonrenewable resources.
• Recycling saves energy. Making products from recycled materials use less energy than from raw materials.