Brand New Trash Collection System Kicks Off In Chatham Borough

CHATHAM, NJ — As the old adage goes, "out with the old, in with the new," and changes to garbage pickup in Chatham Borough officially began in the new year.

Chatham Borough announced plans to phase out its "Green Bag" waste collection system in favor of a new automated system back in November 2022. The "Green Bag" system was kept in place until the end of 2023, and the new system officially began this week.

The borough was using a "pay as you throw" system for green bags, which means that while everyone pays the same for collection, the amount they pay for disposal is determined by how much they throw out.

Chatham was one of five municipalities in the entire state that still used the "pay as you go" green garbage bag system, according to Council member Len Resto, who was the lone dissenting vote on the change back in 2022.

According to the board, the need for the switch was primarily due to financial issues. The cost of green bags under the old system included a trash tipping fee, which has risen in recent years.

The annual solid waste bill was $374 this year, plus the cost of green bags, a significant increase from the previous year. "Our vendor costs have gone up by more than 70 percent. This is a problem everywhere. It's absolutely crazy right now," Council member Jocelyn Mathiasen said previously.

It is estimated that if the borough had kept the green bag program, the prices would have risen further.

Under the new system, a 65-gallon garbage bin would cost $482, versus $564 with green bags. The smallest bin, which holds 35 gallons, would cost $259 instead of $374. There is also a 95-gallon bin, which is suitable for large families and costs $704.

The addition of cans is also expected to help reduce the appearance of rodents and prevent future problems with bears getting into trash bags.

Here is the new schedule, which went into effect this week:

• ORANGE - If your address is North of Main Street your new garbage collection day will be Tuesdays. Borough containers must be used. Bulk pickup day will be the first Friday of the month.
• YELLOW - If your address is between Main Street and Watchung Avenue, your new garbage collection day will be Wednesdays. Borough containers must be used. Your bulk pickup day will be the second Friday of the month.
• BLUE - If your address is south of Watchung Avenue, your new garbage collection day will be Thursdays. Borough containers must be used. Your bulk pickup day will be the third Friday of the month.

The lids of the new garbage carts have arrows on them; the carts must be placed with the arrows facing the street and the handles facing the house, borough officials said.

Residents will be able to store an "excess trash" bag next to their container if there is an occasional surplus of trash. The stickers are $3 at Borough Hall and will cover one large (up to a 40-gallon) bag.

Residents will be allowed to use the stickers three times per year; if they desire more, they must upgrade their cart, according to officials.