Garbage Pick-Up Costs Could Affect 2024 East Brunswick Budget: Mayor

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — The Township’s contract with the current garbage pickup and recycling company is all set to end in December.

The bids for new contracts have been sent out and the Township is awaiting a response, Mayor Brad Cohen told the community during Monday’s Council meeting.

“So we went out for bids and are waiting for those to be opened on Thursday,” Cohen said.

East Brunswick residents have been having issues with waste and recycling pick-up for a while now, due to missed services.

Many municipalities in the state are facing a 50-100 percent increase in solid waste and refuse contracts in the past year. And Cohen warned residents that East Brunswick may face similar issues.

“We will absolutely likely face a higher price than what we've seen in the past,” Cohen said.

“It will affect budgetary issues going forward next year, if we have to deal with a significant increase in the cost of garbage.”

Since the pandemic many municipalities have faced issues with garbage pick-up. Companies on contract are facing a worker shortage. And East Brunswick’s current hauler has had to deal with decreasing staff in the past 12-18 months.

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