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Solid Waste Collection Update

Posted on: July 9, 2026 - 4:19pm
Garbage truck and recycling cans in front of houses on a street with blue sky in background.

SOLID WASTE COLLECTION UPDATE

Oakland representatives met with representatives from the Borough of Pompton Lakes this week to review the rollout of Oakland's new solid waste and recycling collection program, discuss the issues that arose during the first week of service, and identify improvements moving forward.

 We appreciate the feedback we have received from residents. Your comments have helped us identify areas where additional communication and operational adjustments were needed.

After reviewing collection practices, the Borough and Pompton Lakes have agreed on the following guidelines:

  • Beginning August 3, 2026, garbage and recycling containers may be up to 45 gallons in size and weigh no more than 60 pounds when full. These limits are intended to improve safety for collection crews while providing a practical standard for residents.
  • Residents may place an unlimited number of garbage containers at the curb on their scheduled collection day. All household garbage should be securely bagged before being placed in a container. Individual garbage bags placed neatly at the curb will also be collected.
  • Bulky waste will continue to be picked up as it has been in the past.
  • Co-mingled recyclables should be placed loose in recycling containers and should not be placed in plastic bags.
  • Yard waste should continue to be placed in paper yard waste bags or approved containers that meet the size and weight requirements. Yard waste should never be placed in plastic bags.

During the first week of collection, Pompton Lakes estimated that more than 30 percent of Oakland households were using containers larger than the new standard. Based on that information and the concerns expressed by residents, the Borough is actively exploring programs to help offset the cost of replacing oversized containers. Additional details regarding a discounted purchase and/or reimbursement program will be shared once they have been reviewed and approved by the Governing Body.

Residents who wish to dispose of an oversized garbage container may place the empty container at the curb on their scheduled garbage collection day and clearly mark it "Trash" or "Remove." The container will be collected for disposal.

We also discussed concerns regarding the handling of containers during collection. Pompton Lakes has been asked to ensure that containers are returned upright, placed out of the roadway, and, whenever possible, with lids replaced after collection.

The Borough recognizes that the transition to a new service provider has presented challenges during the first week. While no transition of this size is without hiccups, both Oakland and Pompton Lakes remain committed to working together to improve service, address concerns promptly, and ensure residents receive the dependable collection service they expect.

We appreciate your continued patience and cooperation as we complete this transition and will continue to keep residents informed as additional updates become available.