Maplewood Is Green

06/04/2026

🏡 Garage looking a bit full these days? This Saturday, June 6, our Dept. of Public Works is hosting the first of our two Bulk Item Drop Off recycling events this year (the second is scheduled for Sept. 12). Maplewood residents can dispose of bulk items at 359 Boyden Ave. between 8 am - 2 pm. Find rules & details at www.maplewoodnj.gov/government/public-works/bulk-drop-off-program.

🆕 New this year is the ability to drop Mixed Rigid Plastics (MRP’S) – e.g. laundry baskets, plastic crates, outdoor play sets, ride on toys, patio furniture – a valuable stream for recycling plants which clean and reprocess the items into pellets to make new plastic goods.

💡 Don’t forget, Bulk Drop Off doubles as an informal local swap day – someone else’s drop off item might just be the thing you need for your home!

05/24/2026

🎬🍯 Movie Night is coming to Founders Park! 🌼🐝

Join us for a special screening of The Pollinators, a fascinating documentary exploring the vital role of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators in our food system and everyday lives.

📅 May 28
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 Founders Park Community Center
311 Valley St, South Orange
🏠 Indoors

Presented in partnership with Founders Park and the South Orange Public Library.

Bring your curiosity and join us for an evening of film, learning, and community! Be sure to RSVP using the QR code on the flyer.

05/21/2026

TOWNSHIP 101: Beginning in January of 2023, Maplewood Township adopted a recycling structure that requires residents to separate their recycling materials into two distinct categories (Fibers & Commingled) for rotating pickup on alternating weeks. (If you're curious how that came into existence, here's a great Village Green article outlining the origin of the move to dual stream format: https://villagegreennj.com/.../plan-ahead-sort-it-out.../)
One week’s pickup is exclusively for Fibers (cardboard & paper) and the following week’s pickup is exclusively for Commingled (glass, metal & plastic containers). For a deeper dive into what those groupings currently include; a Printable 2026 Recycling Flyer & clever ways to stay in the recycling loop, head to www.maplewoodnj.gov/recycling.

TOWNSHIP 101: Beginning in January of 2023, Maplewood Township adopted a recycling structure that requires residents to separate their recycling materials into two distinct categories (Fibers & Commingled) for rotating pickup on alternating weeks. (If you're curious how that came into existence, here's a great Village Green article outlining the origin of the move to dual stream format: https://villagegreennj.com/towns/plan-ahead-sort-it-out-maplewood-south-orange-recycling-changes-begin-january-2/)

One week’s pickup is exclusively for Fibers (cardboard & paper) and the following week’s pickup is exclusively for Commingled (glass, metal & plastic containers). For a deeper dive into what those groupings currently include; a Printable 2026 Recycling Flyer & clever ways to stay in the recycling loop, head to www.maplewoodnj.gov/recycling.

04/25/2026

Shoutout to Girl Scout Troop 20543, Columbia HS Environmental Club, Mayor Victor De Luca, Deputy Mayor Malia Herman, and the Maplewood Environmental Advisory Committee!

04/22/2026

🌎

Happy Earth Day! Looking for a meaningful way to mark the week? Show some love to your river THIS SATURDAY.

Join your neighbors on Saturday, April 25 from 10 AM–1 PM for the Rahway River Cleanup in Maplewood. All ages welcome!

📍 Check-in: 124 Dunnell Road or Columbia High School parking lot
🧤 Bring gloves, water-friendly shoes, and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty

Hosted by the Maplewood Township Environmental Advisory Committee.

04/21/2026

Love where you live—take care of your river.

Join neighbors this Saturday, April 25, 10 AM–1 PM for the Rahway River Cleanup in Maplewood. Pitch in, meet your friends, and make a visible difference.

Check-in: 124 Dunnell Road or Columbia High School parking lot
Bring gloves, sturdy shoes, and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty
All ages welcome

Hosted by the Maplewood Township Environmental Advisory Committee.

04/16/2026

👏👏👏⚡️⚡️⚡️

04/16/2026

🌳🌳

Maplewood Township's Dept. of Public Works is having it's annual Tree Sapling Giveaway day on Saturday, April 25. Roll by the DPW parking lot (359 Boyden Avenue) between 8 am - 12 pm for your free tree in honor of Arbor Day. Word from the distributor says they are giving away mostly Red Bud saplings, but also have a handful of Scarlet Oak, Shagbark Hickory and Ironwood saplings. Get there early, as it's first come, first serve, until the trees run out.

02/17/2026

Electrify SOMA: One big reason to electrify your home? To make it healthier!

The way we heat our homes and water and dry our clothes can have a major impact on our health.

You can see more insights in the report by Rewiring America on how switching to electric appliances can help us all stay healthier.

💚https://www.rewiringamerica.org/.../home-electrification...

💚Learn more about: https://electrifysoma.org/

01/21/2026

Join us for a SUSTAINIBILITY FAIR on Saturday, January 24th from 1PM - 4PM at Maplewood Memorial Library.

Take this opportunity to talk with local sustainability experts and learn how you can support sustainable action in our community and in your home.

Participants include:
ElectrifySOMA
MMITM (Meat Me In the Middle)
Cute as New
Java's Compost
WalkBikeRide
BikeBus
Oakland Road Art Club
SOMA Tool Share
Repair Cafe
LS Impact Consulting
SomaCycle

Speakers include SOMA residents:
Walter Clarke, South Orange Recycling Coordinator
Tracey Woods, Energy Program Manager for Sustainable Jersey
Julia Sommer, Environmental Educator for NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection
Lauren Sklaver, owner, LS Impact Consulting (consultant for mission based businesses and local sustainability advocate)
Catherine Redd, owner, SomaCycle (local recycling business owner and sustainability advocate)

Maplewood Memorial Library
Cute as New Java's Compost SOMa Bike Bus Walk Bike Ride South Orange Oakland Rd. Art Club SOMA Tool Share SOMa Repair Cafe New Jersey Meat Me In The Middle Somacycle Sustainable Jersey New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection South Orange Green Team & Environmental Commission