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1. What is the most current recycling information?

Effective July 1, 2022 curbside recycling is now single stream; items do not have to be separated. Paper/carboard items can be mixed in the same container(s) as glass/plastic items. Items can be placed in more than one container at the curb. The Recycling Flyer (PDF) contains information regarding what can be recycled curbside and at the Transfer Station. Place recycling curbside the night before or by 6AM on your collection day.

Pickup is no longer on Thursday citywide; it is now on the same day as residents' weekly trash collection. View the trash collection schedule here. There is no change to how trash collection operates.

When recycling collection falls on a holiday, every pickup that week after the holiday will be pushed to the next day. View the holiday recycling schedule here.

Glass, metal items, plastic marked 1, 2, and 5, mixed paper and carboard can be combined together. Items should be placed in a water-tight, covered bin(s). Wet paper and cardboard cannot be recycled and will not be accepted.

Missed recycling collections can be reported online for the fastest service using Report-A-Concern or by calling (908)-273-6404 during business hours. After reporting a missed pickup (phone or web), leave recycling in your pickup location. Missed collections take place the next day. 

Plastic bags are not accepted as recyclable material at this time nor should recycling materials be placed in plastic bags and left at the curb for collection.

View a list of acceptable items for recycling here.

2. Who is entitled to use the Municipal Transfer Station?

The Transfer Station and Compost and Recycling Center is for Summit residents – you must reside at your Summit address. If it is a rental property, the tenant may apply for a permit to use the facilities; the owner is considered to be in business and must purchase a coupon from the Department of Community Services to use the facilities.

3. What is required for use of the Transfer Station?

A digital permit is required to enter. Purchase a permit here, after creating a personal account and uploading a scanned copy of your vehicle registration. More information on digital permits is available here.

4. What is the procedure if I borrow or rent a vehicle?

Residents borrowing vehicles need to obtain a temporary pass, available at City Hall, Department of Community Services, second floor to fill out a form. You must know the following information on the borrowed vehicle: Make, model, color, license plate number, year, state vehicle is registered in, the name of the person driving the vehicle and if it is a commercial or private vehicle.

Building materials will be accepted at the transfer station from the homeowner only, in limited quantities not in excess of 40 gallons per trip. Building materials are never accepted from contractors. NO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS accepted! The Union County Utilities Authority holds Hazardous Collection Days at various locations, three to four times a year so that you may dispose of your hazardous materials.

5. What is considered a commercial vehicle and what are the rules governing the use of them?

Commercial vehicles include rental trucks, vans, pickups or any vehicles that are marked with the business name or that indicate on the license plate that they are commercial. No commercial vehicles are allowed in the transfer station on Saturdays or holidays. They may use the compost and recycling areas only.

6. I am a Summit resident, but pay a landscaper to maintain my property. Is he allowed to use the facility at no charge?

You as the resident homeowner are allowed to use the facilities with the proper permit. Your landscaper is not allowed to use the facility at no charge. It is a business and must purchase coupons available at the Department of Community Services in City Hall.

7. My trash was not picked up today. What should I do?

If your trash was not picked up by noon on the day of pick-up, please call 908-273-6404 or visit the Department of Community Services (DCS) counter on the second (2nd) floor of City Hall at 512 Springfield Avenue, Summit, NJ from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Department of Community Services (DCS) counter hours are 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Friday.

8. My recycling was not picked up today. What should I do?

Use the Report a Concern tool on cityofsummit.org or call the Department of Community Services at 908-273-6404. For the non-collection of materials, a notice/sticker should be provided by the vendor with a reason. Missed collections reported by phone or the Report a Concern tool are collected the next day. 

9. What is the garbage collection schedule?

Your weekly household trash collection day depends on where you live in Summit. View the collection schedule here. Trash is still collected on holidays. Trash should not be brought to the curb. It should be left up your driveway or near your garage. Please clear a path for crews to access trash containers. If containers are not accessible, crews will not remove trash. Bagged trash should be placed in your trash receptacle by or before 6AM on the day of collection. Garbage cans must be watertight metal or plastic cans with tight-fitting lids and must not weigh more than 75 pounds each. Crews will collect up to a maximum of four (4) 20-gallon cans per unit. Missed trash collections can be reported online for the fastest service using Report-A-Concern or by calling (908)-273-6404 during business hours.