Livingston Will Switch To New Garbage Collection Company (What To Know)

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Livingston is switching to a new garbage collection company in September.

Trash collection in Livingston will be handled by F. Basso, Jr. Rubbish Removal Inc. starting on Sept. 1. There will be no service interruptions for local residents, and their regular pickup days will stay the same, town officials said.

Beginning on Sept. 1, all questions about garbage collection – including missed pickups, service concerns and general inquiries – should be directed to F. Basso, Jr. Rubbish Removal Inc. at livingston@fbassoinc.com or 862-452-4664.

Recycling and hazardous waste collection are handled by separate vendors in Livingston. Waste Industries remains the township’s recycling collection vendor.

The Livingston Township Council approved the contract for its new garbage contractor at their July 29 meeting. The agreement authorizes a five-year term (an initial three-year contract with a two-year extension option) at a total amount not to exceed $7,068,950.

“We awarded this contract the way we’re required to by law – through a public bidding process – and Basso came in as the lowest qualified bidder,” Mayor Ed Meinhardt said.

“We’re expecting the switch to go smoothly, but like with any big change, there might be a few small hiccups at the start,” Meinhardt said. “That’s why there will be a dedicated field supervisor in town six days a week to help handle any issues quickly.”

“Importantly, this new agreement will save the township close to a million dollars over the life of the contract compared to the next closest bid – all without changing or reducing any of the services our residents rely on,” the mayor added.

Here are some things that Livingston residents should know about the switch, town officials said:

• Collection days will not change
• Garbage should be placed curbside before 6 a.m. on your collection day, but not before 4 p.m. the day prior
• All garbage should be bagged and secured inside a garbage container weighing no more than 50 pounds
• Residents may place out up to three 30-gallon containers each collection day
• Do not block garbage containers with parked vehicles or other obstacles

Other updates regarding the town’s garbage collection include:

BULK PICKUP – “Residents will now be limited to a maximum of five bulky items per household each bulk pickup. The weight of all items must not exceed a total of 150 pounds. Items must be able to fit in a garbage truck. Bulk pickup items include, but are not be limited to: furniture; plastic appliances; rugs and carpets rolled and tied in 4-foot lengths weighing no more than 50 pounds; clothing; toys; screens; doors; branches three to four inches in diameter in bundles (not to exceed four feet in length); garden and lawn trimmings in bags; and automobile tires removed from the rim. Bulk pickup will still occur on the last regular collection day of the month based on each section.”

OPTIONAL REAR YARD PICKUP – “F. Basso, Jr. Rubbish Removal, Inc. will offer optional rear yard (back door) pickup for a monthly fee paid directly by interested residents. The cost is $28.50 per month for up to three garbage cans. Residents can enroll/set up existing accounts at fbassoinc.com. Billing questions can be directed to 973-868-8496.”

MORE INFO - For more information and updates about garbage and recycling services, visit livingstonnj.org/GarbageRecycling

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.