Talkin' Trash in Millburn/Short Hills - Proper disposal of used cooking oil and other nasties

Did you know that your regular household trash is incinerated, in Newark? In fact, all of Essex County's household trash is BURNED about 10 miles from where we live.

It is therefore very important that we keep certain materials out of our trash; fortunately the Millburn DPW and other local resources offer convenient alternatives. Used cooking oil is a good example of what NOT to put in the trash nor should it ever be poured down a drain, where it can clog pipes and cause damage to sewage systems. Used cooking oil may be poured into the white vat (aka igloo) labeled 'motor oil' at the DPW yard, in front of the building.

Here is a comprehensive list of what should NOT be put in your regular trash, and what to do with it:

1) Curbside recycling:

• Plastics numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 (except Styrofoam - see (3) below)
• All metals including aluminum foil and all types of metal cans
• Empty spray cans
• Glass containers
• All paper except hard cover books (please break down boxes)

All of the above may be placed together in the same bin but please separate different materials: i.e. remove metal caps from glass bottles and paper labels from cans.

2) Drop at DPW yard

• USED COOKING OIL and motor oil
• Fluorescent tubes
• Electronics: computers, printers, TVs, etc
• All non-alkaline batteries including auto batteries, button batteries and household & device rechargeables
• Light plastic bags and plastic film
• Antifreeze
• large metal goods (call for appliance special pick up)
• dried latex paint cans
• garden clippings/small branches

• Styrofoam peanuts/packing material may be dropped at the local Ebay store or Mailboxes etc. for re-use. Help a local business while helping the environment!
• Meat trays, large Stryofoam blocks and most other styrofoam may be dropped for recycling at Foam Pack Industries, 72 Fadem Rd., Springfield (973) 376-3700 http://www.foampackindustries.com/