Hopatcong council approves new bulk‑pickup rules: one large item per household per pickup; white goods still require $10 sticker

Hopatcong’s mayor told the borough council Dec. 4 that Ordinance 21‑20‑2024 will change the borough’s residential garbage collection policy beginning Jan. 1. Under the ordinance, households may set out one large bulk item per garbage pickup (effectively four per month) without purchasing a sticker. White goods — washers, dryers, dishwashers, ovens and other white metal — remain subject to the existing $10 sticker requirement and must be scheduled with DPW for pickup or taken to the recycling center at no charge with proof of residency.

The mayor said the change “will eliminate the need for stickers on these bulk items” while preserving the sticker fee for white goods. Council discussion focused on resident outreach and clarity: members asked for an easy, one‑page graphic summarizing what requires a sticker and what does not, and staff said they will update the municipal calendar and produce handouts to explain the new rules.

Councilmembers also flagged a 50‑pound maximum on bulk items, which could constrain items such as sofas; staff acknowledged the limit and asked that outreach materials explain the rule. The ordinance was presented by the real estate/solid waste committee and moved, seconded and approved by roll call vote during the meeting.

Implementation steps cited by staff include updating the borough calendar, distributing a simple graphic guide for residents and providing a way to purchase or schedule pickups for white goods at DPW.