Jackson Township residents will again receive weekly curbside recycling pickup after more than a decade of reduced service, township officials announced.
Mayor Jennifer Kuhn and Council President Mordy Burnstein said the township has reached a new agreement with its recycling contractor to restore weekly collections beginning early next year. The deal increases the frequency of pickup from every other week to weekly, with what officials described as a slight cost increase that will not require a tax hike.
The announcement follows a survey the township circulated less than a month ago seeking resident feedback on the recycling contract, which was up for renewal. Officials said residents consistently cited recycling as a major quality-of-life concern, particularly as online shopping and home deliveries have driven up the volume of cardboard and packaging.
The new agreement will also allow the township to redraw recycling districts in order to streamline routes and scheduling. Township officials said the change is intended to make service more efficient for both residents and the contractor, and will free up Department of Public Works staff to focus on other responsibilities by reducing their direct involvement with recycling.
Kuhn said she began reviewing township contracts and services after taking office in October, looking for areas to improve service and control costs. Weekly recycling was cut more than 10 years ago in a cost-saving move, she noted, but today’s higher volume of recyclables has made the old schedule more burdensome for residents.
Council members from across the political spectrum publicly backed the move, calling it a practical response to changing household needs. Several officials pointed to the growth of online ordering and package deliveries as a key reason the biweekly schedule no longer worked.
In addition to restoring weekly pickup, the township plans several follow-up steps:
New recycling zones and collection schedules are being developed and are expected to roll out in February.
The township will run a weekly information campaign to explain the new routes and dates.
Officials say the change will be funded through “smarter contracting and better resource management,” without additional taxes or budget increases.
Kuhn, Burnstein, and other council members also credited residents who responded to the recent survey for helping drive the change, describing the shift as an example of the township responding directly to public input.
Residents with questions have been encouraged to contact Council President Burnstein at mburnstein@jacksontwpnj.net.