Recycling Information

As a result of import bans on recyclable materials imposed by China and other nations due to contamination, Resource Management’s Earth City Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) notified the City's service provider, Meridian Waste, that as of November 1, 2018, they would close and no longer accept single stream recyclables collected curbside from residential customers, which includes Wildwood residents.  The closure of this facility has disrupted the local recycling market and the operations of several waste haulers that were using the facility, including Meridian.   As a result, Meridian has recommended that the City modify its recycling program from single-stream recycling to dual-stream recycling. Single-stream recycling refers to the collection of recyclable materials, curbside, in one primary bin. Dual-stream recycling means that Meridian customers will sort recyclables into two bins for collection.  This change will result in cleaner, less contaminated recyclables, which will create more local and regional markets willing to accept our recyclables, in lieu of shipping overseas. 

Therefore, the Wildwood City Council voted to switch to dual stream recycling citywide. Outlined below is the current approach to the dual stream recycling program. For your reference, we created a list of FAQs to answer questions you may have. This FAQ will be updated as new information becomes available.

If you have questions not covered on these pages, please contact us at recycling@cityofwilwood.com.

Dual-Stream Recycling Will Now Begin April 1, 2019 (Updated 1/16/19)

The change to dual-stream recycling means that beginning on April 1, 2019, Meridian residential customers are requested to eliminate cardboard, paper and glass and collect only plastics, tin, aluminum and steel (rigid materials) with your primary recycle toter (typically either 65-gallon or 95-gallon size). This material will be collected every other week, beginning the week of April 1, 2019.  

For cardboard and paper (fiber materials), the program will collect those material every other week in a new recycle container to be provided by Meridian for an increased cost of $0.50/month, until August 1, 2019, when a new long-term contract is established through a competitive bidding process. This curbside pickup of paper and cardboard will be on alternate weeks as your curbside pickup of plastics, tin, aluminum, and steel and will begin on April 8, 2019.  

Summary of Dual-Stream Recycling 

Rigid Recyclables

When: Beginning the week of April 1, 2019
What: "Rigid" materials will be collected curbside, every other week, alternating with the "fiber" material pickup, as follows:

• Plastics containers containing the recycling code 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 (non-black)
• Aluminum
• Tin and steel cans

Fiber Recyclables

When: Beginning the week of April 8, 2019
What:  "Fiber" materials will be collected curbside, every other week, in a new, recycle bin to be provided by Meridian Waste as follows:  

• Cardboard
• Mixed papers

Cost:  Meridian residential customers will see an increased cost of $0.50/month, until August 1, 2019, when a new long-term contract is established through a competitive bidding process. 

Glass: If residents wish to recycle glass, Meridian Waste will be establishing a few drop-off locations throughout Wildwood for this material, otherwise it can be placed in the trash. 

Residents will receive a letter from the City of Wildwood describing the program in more detail. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact us at recycling@cityofwildwood.com.

Visit the Recycling FAQ Page for more information.