Sort Your Newton Recycling Load Before You Reach South Park Drive
Newton’s municipal Recycling Center handles far more than bottles and cans, but it is not a general dump and every material does not use the same container. Cardboard, computers, televisions, batteries, rigid plastic, #6 foam, scrap metal, cords and food waste all have different preparation rules.
The most useful plan is to identify each item before loading your vehicle, verify the current Town rule, and call when an official page and newsletter do not say exactly the same thing.
Quick Answer: Newton Recycling Center Hours, Location and Phone
The Town of Newton’s dedicated Recycling Center Hours page lists the municipal center on South Park Drive in Newton, NJ 07860 and says it is open Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The Town recycling office number is 973-383-4160.
Important address note: Newton’s official pages currently disagree on the street number. The dedicated hours page and other Town material use 3 South Park Drive, while the Town facility directory displays 11 South Park Drive. Both refer to the municipal Recycling Center on South Park Drive. Use the facility name in navigation and call 973-383-4160 if your map sends you somewhere unexpected.
Newton Recycling Center Address and Open-Today Hours
The strongest current schedule is consistent across the dedicated Town hours page, the Town’s residents-only recycling description and the Spring 2026 recycling publication: Tuesday and Thursday 8 AM–4 PM, Saturday 8 AM–1 PM.
| Day | Normal public hours | Planning note | Before a special trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed under the published regular schedule. | Do not assume the gate is available just because Public Works is operating. | Use another listed drop-off day. |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM–4:00 PM | Full weekday recycling-center day. | Call for unusual or large items. |
| Wednesday | Closed under the published regular schedule. | Do not confuse Public Works office hours with Recycling Center hours. | Wait for Thursday or Saturday. |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM–4:00 PM | Full weekday recycling-center day. | Verify holiday-week changes. |
| Friday | Closed under the published regular schedule. | Public Works can be open while the Recycling Center is not. | Use Saturday if appropriate. |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM–1:00 PM | Shorter public window than Tuesday and Thursday. | Arrive early with a complicated load. |
| Sunday | Closed under the published regular schedule. | Do not leave material outside a closed gate or container. | Use the next operating day. |
Who Can Use Newton Recycling Center?
The Town describes the South Park Drive facility as a small recycling facility for Newton residents only. It should not be treated as an unrestricted Sussex County dump, private scrap yard or commercial transfer station.
Newton resident
This is the intended user. Bring materials generated through normal residential use and follow the Town’s item-specific instructions.
Outside Newton
Do not assume a Newton mailing address or nearby ZIP code makes you eligible. Sussex County residents have separate SCMUA recycling options in Lafayette.
Business load
The resident Recycling Center should not automatically be used for commercial loads. Newton businesses also have annual recycling-reporting requirements.
What Newton Recycling Center Accepts in 2026
The Town’s current recycling hub links separate programs for cardboard, electronics, metal, batteries, Styrofoam, food waste, cords and other materials. Its Spring 2026 publication gives one of the clearest consolidated lists of current center programs.
| Material | Current Newton guidance | Preparation | Call first? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrugated cardboard | Accepted | Break down, flatten and remove packing debris. | Usually no for normal resident quantities. |
| Office paper, junk mail & magazines | Accepted | Keep paper reasonably clean and separate from trash. | Call for unusually large quantities. |
| Glass, cans & accepted plastic containers | Accepted | Rinse containers; follow Newton’s container preparation rules. | No for ordinary residential material. |
| #6 rigid Styrofoam packaging | 2026 program | Remove stickers and packing tape; no peanuts, food containers or ordinary soft foam. | Wise before a large foam load because this program originated as an SCMUA pilot. |
| Rigid plastic | Accepted | No metal attached. | For oversized or unusual molded plastic. |
| Computers, monitors & TVs | Accepted e-waste | Protect screens and wipe personal data where possible. | For printers, fax machines and devices not listed consistently across Town sources. |
| Batteries | Accepted categories | Separate by battery type and protect damaged batteries from shorting or leakage. | Yes for swollen, leaking, hot, damaged or unusually large batteries. |
| Scrap metal | Accepted with restrictions | Remove prohibited fluids, glass, rubber or other excluded hazards where required. | Yes for appliances and mixed auto parts. |
| Electrical cords & cables | Accepted | Town examples include extension cords and light strings with bulbs removed. | For unusual wired equipment. |
| Food waste | Year-round program | Use the Town’s food-waste collection instructions rather than mixing with ordinary recycling. | Call DPW for a free collection bin pickup appointment if needed. |
Curbside Recycling vs. South Park Drive Drop-Off
Newton residents do not need to bring every normal recyclable to the center. The Town operates monthly curbside collection for certain commingled containers and newspaper, while several paper products are specifically directed to the Recycling Center.
Normal curbside material
- Glass jars and bottles
- Aluminum cans
- Tin-plated steel cans
- Accepted plastic bottles and containers
- Newspaper, dry and tied in bundles
- Aluminum and foil pie plates
Items specifically directed to the Center
- Corrugated cardboard
- Magazines
- Junk mail
- Office paper
- Special accepted materials such as limited e-waste, batteries and scrap metal
Newton Cardboard Recycling: Flatten It Before You Arrive
Newton changed its cardboard setup in February 2025 with new horizontal-opening containers designed to collect more material. The Town’s instruction is simple: cardboard brought to the center must be cleaned of debris and flattened before arrival.
Do this
Empty shipping and moving boxes, flatten them and remove loose packing contents before loading your vehicle.
Do not fill boxes with trash
Foam, plastic bags, packing peanuts, food, bubble wrap and household garbage should not be hidden inside cardboard.
Do not arrive with intact boxes
The container openings are designed for broken-down cardboard. Flattening before arrival avoids unloading problems.
Electronics Recycling: Newton’s Official Pages Need a Careful Read
The Town’s dedicated electronics page currently lists three core accepted categories: computers, monitors and televisions. It includes desktops, laptops, all-in-ones, tablets, e-readers and small-scale servers; CRT and flat-panel monitors; and several television types.
However, Newton’s Spring 2026 newsletter is broader and also lists printers, fax machines, computer cables, wiring and cell phones. Because these two official Town sources do not perfectly match, use the dedicated electronics page as the safest baseline and call 973-383-4160 before bringing a printer, fax machine or another borderline electronic device.
| Electronic item | Dedicated electronics page | 2026 newsletter | Best action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desktop / laptop | Accepted | Accepted | Prepare for drop-off; erase personal data first. |
| Tablet / e-reader | Accepted under computers. | Not separately detailed. | Follow the dedicated electronics page. |
| Monitor | CRT and flat panel accepted. | Accepted. | Protect the screen during transport. |
| Television | CRT, flat panel, rear projection, plasma and wooden console listed. | Accepted. | Call for unusually large or damaged sets. |
| Printer / fax machine | Not in the dedicated accepted list. | Listed as accepted. | Call before driving. |
| Cell phone | Phones are not accepted in the general electronics category, but a separate cell-phone collection mailbox is described. | Cell phones listed as collected. | Use the separate collection route rather than dropping it into a TV/computer container. |
| Router / modem / switch | Not accepted. | Not clearly added. | Use another electronics route unless Town staff confirms otherwise. |
| Microwave / toaster / appliance | Not accepted as electronics. | Computerized appliances such as dehumidifiers and coffee machines are excluded from the e-waste container. | Ask about metal recycling or a different disposal route. |
Electronics Newton Explicitly Lists as Not Accepted
- Stereos, DVD/VHS players and speakers
- General communication devices such as phones and answering machines, apart from Newton’s separate cell-phone mailbox
- Healthcare devices such as blood-pressure monitors and CPAP machines
- Modems, routers and network switches
- Stoves, refrigerators and dishwashers in the e-waste stream
- Toasters, microwaves and blenders
- Power tools such as drills, sanders and saws
- Hair dryers, curling irons, sewing machines and similar grooming/styling devices
Battery Recycling at Newton Recycling Center
Newton’s Spring 2026 publication states that alkaline, rechargeable, PB-labeled and lithium-based batteries are currently accepted. The Town electronics page also says separate household-battery collection mailboxes are located at the electronics trailer year-round.
Alkaline
Listed by Newton’s 2026 recycling publication as accepted.
Rechargeable
Listed as accepted. Keep battery types separated when practical.
PB / lead-acid
PB-labeled batteries are included in the Town’s current accepted list.
Lithium-based
The Spring 2026 update says lithium-based batteries are now accepted, replacing older Town material that said a lithium program was still being developed.
Scrap Metal: Accepted Items and Safety Exclusions
Newton’s metal-recycling guidance lists brass, copper, aluminum and stainless steel and gives household examples such as washing machines, bicycles, grills, dryers, metal bed frames, patio furniture, shelving, automotive parts, aluminum rims, gutters, pots, pans and hot-water heaters.
Examples on the Town metal flyer
- Washing machines and dryers
- Bicycles
- BBQ grills
- Metal bed frames
- Patio furniture
- Metal shelving
- Automotive parts
- Aluminum rims
- Lawn mowers with fluids removed
- Gutters
- Pots and pans
- Hot-water heaters
Town flyer says no
- Freon
- Gas
- Oil
- Explosives
- Propane tanks
- Rubber
- Glass
#6 Styrofoam, Rigid Plastic, Cords, Food Waste and Other Special Programs
Newton’s recycling program expanded beyond traditional bottles, cans and paper. These specialty streams are useful, but they work only when residents follow the preparation rule for that exact material.
| Program | What Newton says | Preparation | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| #6 rigid Styrofoam | Rigid packaging foam accepted under the Town/SCMUA program. | Remove stickers and packing tape. | Packing peanuts, soft foam and Styrofoam food containers are not part of this stream. |
| Rigid plastic | Examples include buckets, milk crates, laundry baskets, pet carriers, lawn furniture, tubs and toys. | No metal attached. | Bringing mixed-material plastic/metal items without checking. |
| Cords & cables | Extension cords and household light strings are examples. | Remove bulbs from light strings. | Treating an entire electronic appliance as “just a cord.” |
| Food waste | Spring 2026 publication says food waste is collected year-round. | Use the Town’s food-waste collection system. | Mixing food waste into ordinary container recycling. |
| American flags | Flags in any condition are accepted for proper retirement with the Newton VFW. | Keep separate from ordinary textiles. | Putting flags into a general trash or textile load. |
| Eyeglasses / hearing aids | Collected for distribution through Lions International. | Keep small reusable devices separate. | Putting them in e-waste or mixed recycling. |
Plastic Bags: Check the Newer Town Route Before Using South Park Drive
This is an area where older Newton material can mislead residents. Spring 2026 recycling information described clean #2 and #4 plastic bags and film as accepted, but the Town’s dedicated Plastic Bag Recycling update now lists collection at the Newton Municipal Building at 39 Trinity Street and several retail locations rather than presenting South Park Drive as the primary bag route.
The dedicated page says #2 or #4 film and bags must be clean, dry and free of food residue. Examples include grocery bags, bread bags, dry-cleaning bags, produce bags, case overwrap, newspaper sleeves, air pillows, bubble wrap and similar film.
Fees, Pay Rates, Bulk Waste and Special Events
No general public recycling-center pay-rate sheet was found on the current Town hours or facility pages. Newton’s resident Recycling Center is a municipal drop-off program, not a private buyback yard.
Routine recyclables
The Town describes recycling as a resident service, but item-specific programs can have separate rules. Check before assuming every unusual item is free.
Scrap metal
The Town receives revenue from collected scrap metal. No resident scrap payout is published.
Bulk trash
Bulk waste is a separate program. In Spring 2026 the Town used a $50 permit for up to 500 pounds of curbside bulky waste; future dates and permit terms can change.
Newton also runs special recycling-center events for materials such as tires, rims, waste fluids and paper shredding. Event acceptance and dates are not the same as normal Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday drop-off rules.
Newton Business Recycling Requirements
Newton’s business rules are separate from resident Recycling Center access. Every business, institution or industrial facility is required to report recycling activities annually to the Recycling Coordinator, including amounts recycled by material and the recycling vendor used.
Food-service establishments also have a specific requirement to recycle grease and/or cooking oil generated in food processing and maintain required records.
How to Prepare a Newton Recycling Center Load
Identify every material before loading
Separate cardboard, container recycling, electronics, batteries, scrap metal, foam, rigid plastic, cords and food waste rather than making one mixed pile.
Use curbside service when it fits
Normal bottles, jars, cans and certain paper can use Newton’s regular curbside program. Save the Recycling Center trip for materials specifically routed there.
Flatten cardboard at home
Remove packing material and break boxes down before reaching the South Park Drive containers.
Prepare special materials separately
Remove metal from rigid plastic, remove bulbs from light strings and follow the specific foam, battery and scrap-metal restrictions.
Protect personal electronics data
Back up and erase computers, tablets and other data-bearing devices where practical before recycling.
Call about official-source conflicts
Printers, fax machines, plastic-film collection and unusual electronics are examples where Newton’s different publications may not say exactly the same thing.
Verify the day and address before driving
Use Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday hours and navigate by the Newton Recycling Center name on South Park Drive because the Town currently publishes two street numbers.
Hi, I’m a Newton resident and I want to use the Recycling Center. I have [list each material separately]. Are all of these accepted right now at South Park Drive? Is there any preparation, quantity limit or special event requirement, and which street number should I use for navigation today?
Common Newton Recycling Center Mistakes
When Newton Recycling Center Is Not the Right Place
Sussex County residents also have a broader regional recycling and solid-waste option through the Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority in Lafayette. This can be useful when a material is not accepted by Newton’s municipal resident center or needs a county program.
SCMUA Recycling Center
Located at 34 South Route 94 in Lafayette. Current recycling-center hours are Monday through Saturday, 7:00 AM–2:00 PM.
Broader material options
SCMUA lists cardboard, mixed fiber, containers, plastic film, motor oil, antifreeze, cooking oil, batteries, bulbs and other programs for Sussex County residents.
Household hazardous waste
SCMUA does not accept HHW every day. It operates designated hazardous-waste collection events, so paint thinner, pesticides, oil-based paint and similar chemicals require event-date verification.
Newton Recycling Center Map and Directions
Because current Town pages disagree between 3 and 11 South Park Drive, the embedded map searches by the facility name plus South Park Drive instead of pretending the official street-number conflict does not exist.
Official Newton Recycling Sources
Primary Town page for the Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday public schedule and the 3 South Park Drive listing.
Open hours pageCurrent index of Newton programs for batteries, cardboard, electronics, metal, Styrofoam, food waste, cords and other materials.
Open recycling hubCurrent consolidated 2026 list covering center hours, #6 rigid Styrofoam, rigid plastic, scrap metal, e-waste, batteries, food waste and other newer programs.
Open Spring 2026 publicationExplains normal curbside containers and which paper/cardboard materials should instead go to the Recycling Center.
Open curbside rulesItem-specific accepted computers, monitors and TVs plus the categories Newton lists as not accepted.
Open electronics rulesCurrent Recycling Coordinator contact and Public Works phone number for unclear or unusual materials.
Open Public Works pageCurrent #2/#4 plastic film preparation rules and the Town’s currently listed municipal/retail collection locations.
Open plastic-film updateNewton’s annual business recycling reporting requirements and food-service grease/cooking-oil rule.
Open business requirementsFrequently Asked Questions About Newton Recycling Center
Where is Newton Recycling Center in New Jersey?
The center is on South Park Drive in Newton, NJ 07860. The Town’s dedicated hours page says 3 South Park Drive, while its facility directory currently says 11 South Park Drive. Search by the facility name and call 973-383-4160 if necessary.
What are Newton Recycling Center hours?
The Town’s current dedicated hours page lists Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Is Newton Recycling Center open Monday?
Monday is not part of the center’s published regular public schedule. Public Works office hours are different from Recycling Center hours.
Is Newton Recycling Center open Saturday?
Yes. The normal Saturday schedule is 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Who can use Newton Recycling Center?
The Town describes the municipal facility as a recycling center for Newton residents. Residents of other municipalities should use their own local program or Sussex County options.
What is the Newton recycling phone number?
The Town Recycling Coordinator and Public Works recycling contact number is 973-383-4160.
Does Newton Recycling Center accept cardboard?
Yes. Cardboard should be free of packing debris and flattened before arrival.
What electronics does Newton Recycling Center accept?
The dedicated Town electronics page clearly lists computers, monitors and televisions. Newton’s Spring 2026 newsletter also mentions printers, fax machines, cables and cell phones, so call before bringing items not included on the dedicated electronics page.
Does Newton Recycling Center take TVs?
Yes. Newton’s dedicated electronics page lists CRT, flat-panel, rear-projection, plasma and wooden-console televisions.
Does Newton Recycling Center accept batteries?
Yes. Newton’s Spring 2026 publication says alkaline, rechargeable, PB-labeled and lithium-based batteries are currently accepted. Damaged lithium batteries should be confirmed by phone before drop-off.
Does Newton Recycling Center take scrap metal?
Yes, with restrictions. Newton’s metal flyer lists brass, copper, aluminum and stainless steel plus many household metal items, but excludes Freon, gas, oil, explosives, propane tanks, rubber and glass.
Does Newton pay for scrap metal?
The Town’s current recycling information says scrap metal generates revenue for the Town. It does not advertise a public resident scrap-metal pay-rate or buyback program.
Does Newton Recycling Center accept Styrofoam?
Newton’s Spring 2026 publication says #6 rigid Styrofoam packaging is accepted. Stickers and packing tape should be removed. Packing peanuts, food containers and ordinary foam are not part of that program.
Can I recycle plastic bags at Newton Recycling Center?
Check the current Town plastic-bag page first. Although Spring 2026 material mentioned a center program, the dedicated Town update currently directs clean #2 and #4 plastic film to the Newton Municipal Building and listed retail collection sites.
Does Newton Recycling Center accept household trash?
No. The Recycling Center is not a general municipal trash dump. Newton residents use private trash collection and separate Town programs for bulk waste.
Where can I take material Newton Recycling Center does not accept?
Depending on the item, Sussex County residents may be able to use the SCMUA facility in Lafayette. SCMUA has separate recycling, solid-waste and household-hazardous-waste programs.
Is Recycling-Centre.org the official Newton Recycling Center website?
No. Recycling-Centre.org is an independent information guide. The Town of Newton and Sussex County official sources should be used for final acceptance, hours and special-event decisions.
Before You Drive to South Park Drive
Prepare your load
- Separate every material category.
- Flatten and empty cardboard.
- Rinse ordinary containers.
- Remove metal from rigid plastic.
- Remove bulbs from light strings.
- Keep prohibited fluids out of scrap metal.
- Erase personal data from electronics.
- Handle damaged batteries separately.
Verify the trip
- Confirm Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday hours.
- Remember the center is for Newton residents.
- Call about printers, fax machines and unusual electronics.
- Check the current plastic-film collection route.
- Do not assume a special-event material is accepted every week.
- Search by facility name because official Town pages conflict on 3 vs. 11 South Park Drive.
- Call 973-383-4160 when anything is unclear.