TRASH PICKUP : Most Bergen County towns have curbside trash pickup . Towns that provide back or side yard pickup include Englewood , Glen Rock , Hasbrouck Heights , Haworth , Ho-Ho- Kus , Ridgefield , Ridgewood , Saddle River , South Hackensack , Tenafly , Upper Saddle River and Woodcliff Lake . In the past , many Bergen County towns offered rear and side yard pickup . But in recent years , many eliminated the perk .

In Teaneck and Alpine , residents must contract for garbage pickup with one of the towns ’ approved providers .

YARD WASTE : Most towns also have specific guidelines and recommendations for yard waste , including grass clippings in the summer and leaves in the fall .

BULK WASTE : Many towns have bulk waste pickup days at least once a month for items like old barbecues and couches .

RECYCLING PICKUP : All Bergen County towns offer curbside recycling collections or have drop-off locations . These are for items like cardboard , paper , newspapers and magazine , glass and plastic .

RECYCLING / RECLAMATION CENTERS : Most Bergen County towns have centers providing residents with the ability to drop off recycling between pickup cycles . Many centers also accept bulk waste , and other items like yard waste , scrap metal , old appliances , fluorescent light bulbs , certain types of batteries , cooking oil and more . Some towns require a pre-approved car decal for drop-off .

The Bergen County Utilities Authority ( BCUA ) hosts several Household Hazardous Waste Collection events each year , in Mahwah , Moonachie and Paramus . The service is free of charge for Bergen County residents . An ID is required to show proof of residency , such as a driver ’ s license , utility bill or tax bill .

Materials should be in original containers and labeled . Unlabeled waste or containers with unknown contents will not be accepted . Unacceptable materials include regulated medical waste , radioactive materials , explosives and compressed cylinders of oxygen or acetylene . For the current collection schedule , visit bcua . org or call ( 201 ) 807-5825 .

The BCUA has put together a separate comprehensive list to help you with items that can ’ t be handled by your town ’ s regular trash collection .

Private collection services are available and they offer several benefits .

Your town may not accept certain items , either in its bulk waste pick-up program or at its recycling center .

Even if the town accepts your item , there is still the work to get the item from the house to the curb or recycling center . Ovens are not easy to carry , even to the curb . Private collection services can be hired for larger items , and it ’ s fast . You can call and have the item picked up that day or shortly after . Most town pick-ups are just once amonth . Youcan have old paint removed inaday or two with a private pickup , but may need to wait a few months for the next county collection event .

JAIMIE WINTERS

42 2017EDITION | ( 201 ) WELCOME