Why won’t they pick up my recycling from the curb?

Submitted by lem5043 t3_zlheqx in jerseycity

I live in the Heights. This is the second consecutive week that I put my recycling bin out to the curb filled with bagged recyclables, the recycling trucks came and went, and they left my bin there untouched.

I know there are 2 rounds of recycling trucks that come by each Tuesday (not sure what the difference is). I heard the first one coming by so I actually watched from the my window as the guy picked up the top bag of recyclables out of my bin, then he saw there were additional bags underneath that one so he put the bag back in my bin and walked away. I saw him take my neighbors’ bags from their bins though. I hoped maybe the second truck would pick it up instead??? But no, the second truck has come by, all my neighbors’ bins have been fully emptied but mine was left there at the curb full (again).

Can someone please tell me what I’m doing wrong?

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Knobbies4Ever t1_j05e1ta wrote

Recycleables are supposed to be placed loose in bins, not bagged. According to the JC web page on this:

Use bins - please do not put into plastic bags

My guess is some of the crews aren't sure what to do when residents put out stuff in bags.

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lem5043 OP t1_j05emvv wrote

Thank you. But I watched the guy tonight pick up my neighbor’s trash bags of recyclables (which looks identical to my bags) right after he ignored mine.

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MrHarryPits t1_j06s9we wrote

horrible justification. follow the rules, screw your neighbor too

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lem5043 OP t1_j05f9r6 wrote

Also, wouldn’t they rather people put their recyclables into plastic bags instead of leaving them loose in the bin? I feel like loose items would more easily spill out into the street and create litter.

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Knobbies4Ever t1_j05gztk wrote

I can't explain the behavior of the crews servicing your neighborhood. My guess is they don't have clear direction on what to do if people put out mixed glass / metal / plastic in bags - to pick it up, or leave it.

I've been putting out my own recycling in JC since 2007 and the rule in that time has been to put it out loose, not bagged... never had a problem.

As for the reason behind the loose vs. bagged rule: I've read that the sorting machines in some recycling plants get gummed up by plastic bags. No idea what the deal is at the plant JC uses... it might create an extra step to un-bag the stuff, hence the rule / ask.

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HappyArtichoke7729 t1_j06rhz3 wrote

The sorting machines don't open bags, they sort. If it's bagged then a human has to cut the bag open. They not like that.

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imaluckyduckie t1_j07jzds wrote

Plastic bags jam all sorts of machinery used for sorting and processing

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mookybelltolls t1_j05fwd4 wrote

DO NOT BAG YOUR RECYCLING. Just dump it in the bin.

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photo-smart t1_j06ks33 wrote

I’ve noticed that most of the comment here are not clear so I’m gonna try to clear this up. For recycle, there are two separate piles. One pile is for plastic/glass/aluminum (all mixed together). The other pile is for cardboard. Don’t mix those two up.

Now, technically recycle should be in two separate bins, not bags. The city says bags mess things up, but you’ll notice many people still put the recycle in bags and the sanitation people still pick it up. If you insist on using bags, use clear bags only, although I recommend you buy some bins.

Put your recycle out around 7pm. That’s it. One truck will come by for plastic/glass/aluminum. Then another truck with come by for cardboard. Keep your two piles visibly separate. I hope this clears things up. If you still have questions, let us know.

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lem5043 OP t1_j06p48l wrote

Thank you and everyone else for the helpful feedback. I do have a bin. I just place my plastic/glass/aluminum/paper recyclables inside of a plastic trash bag and put the bag inside the bin, all of my residential neighbors do the same thing so I didn’t think it was an issue. But based on all the feedback it seems that I should either stop using bags altogether or use clear bags.

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Especiallymoist t1_j086s8h wrote

You’re bundling the cardboard in with everything else. Theres a separate truck for just cardboard. Just put the cardboard out separately.

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designgineer t1_j079rq1 wrote

The major thing is to keep cardboard separate from the rest (different bin/ even on the ground is fine). I’ve used bags for plastic/glass/aluminum and they take it.

They won’t take anything if cardboard is mixed with the rest in the same bin or bag

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souperred t1_j06p6uu wrote

jersey city required clear bags only. then no bags. now clear bags are supposedly allowed again. if they're in clear bags and weren't picked up, call DPW 201-547-4400 and they'll come back around.

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ohnjaynb t1_j06ms6i wrote

Yes, the official rule is to only put recycling out in loose in bins, but in practice people still regularly leave it in bags. The question is why are your neighbors getting away with it while you're not? Are they using clear or blue bags while you're not? Do they have a clear line of sight? While your bags are hidden? Is your neighbor a store or restaurant? If so they could have arranged for a private company to pickup their trash.on a certain day, and you're setting recycling out on the wrong day.

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lem5043 OP t1_j06prlp wrote

No to all of these questions, they’re using the same white trash bags as me. My only guess is that my neighbors are just leaving out a solo trash bag on their curb, whereas I have a few trash bags inside of my bin. So maybe they feel more inclined to pick up the 1 random bag rather than my multiple bags. Regardless I’ll be switching to clear bags or simply not bagging at all going forward. Appreciate all of the feedback.

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ohnjaynb t1_j06qjq3 wrote

There's your answer. They must assume that bags in a bin are regular trash. Most people who leave recycling in bags don't put it in a bin because that's extra work.

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Chaoszine-77 t1_j06vm6n wrote

If it was put out correctly, report it on SeeClickFix/leave it out and they will get it picked up. And then the city will be aware of it being left in the first place.

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Educational-Math9208 t1_j05e5n6 wrote

One round is for plastics the other round is for cardboard. Plastics should be bagged in a clear plastic bag and cardboard should be stacked or tied together for easy removal. Ensure both are separated.

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iaceintheholei t1_j06w6q3 wrote

I use blue plastic recycling bags from amazon. The blue kinda makes it clear to them that it’s recycling

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blucifers_cajones t1_j06z8kp wrote

The first truck grabs the paper/cardboard boxes. These should not be bagged. The second truck grabs the rest. I have seen lots of people put their recycling in bags, even though the website says not to. Maybe it depends on the type of bag? Blue/clear? Whatever the case, I would first separate your recycling into paper/cardboard, and then plastic/aluminum/glass. I use a cardboard box for my cardboard, and my blue bin for the rest, unbagged.

https://www.jerseycitynj.gov/cityhall/dpw/recycle

ETA: make sure your bin is visible from the street! Our recycling was missed one time because it was not visible because of parked cars. I try to move it to a place seen from the street between parked cars or by light poles.

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Crazy-Consequence-26 t1_j06uaji wrote

I used to place my recycle in the blue bins the city gave out but the blue bins kept getting stolen.

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possums101 t1_j05ltx7 wrote

Plastics in bag, cardboard stacked or tied together.

Edit: CLEAR bag. Must be clear.

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