Definition of Construction Materials
Construction materials are defined as any material that is used in building or construction of a house, garage or other structure, used in building landscape features or is affixed to the house, garage or structure.
Acceptable construction materials for options 4 & 5 are as follows:
- Wood, boards or planks.
- Paneling
- Sheet Rock
- Tiles (ceiling or floor)
- Vanities
- Countertops
- Cabinetry
- Bath tubs
- Sinks (metal sinks are scrap metal recycling)
- Windows
- Doors (metal doors are scrap metal recycling)
- Garage doors
- Vinyl siding
- Shower doors
Unacceptable construction materials for options 4 & 5 are as follows:
The following items are by definition, construction materials, but are not collected by the Borough. Unacceptable materials include, but are not limited to:
- Concrete
- Brick
- Block
- Stone
- Asphalt
- Dirt
- Rocks
- Asbestos
- Hazardous materials
Disposal Options
Residents who need to dispose of construction material have the following options for proper disposal. Illegal dumping laws include monetary fines, confiscation of the vehicle used to illegally dump and a mandatory 6-month suspension of driver's license.
Option 1 - Contractor Disposal
Residents are advised to have their contractor dispose of all waste as part of the terms of the work contract. Disposal of this material by residents can be expensive and difficult to transport.
Option 2 - Hire a Clean Out / Garbage Hauler Service
Waste hauling companies can provide a dumpster for your property (a permit is needed to leave the dumpster in the street) and a clean out service will remove the materials from your property. These companies can be found through recommendations of friends and family or an Internet search. Borough policy prohibits staff from recommending a vendor.
Option 3 - Bring Material to a DEP Transfer Station
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) maintains a list of the approved solid waste transfer stations. Visit their website for the most up to date list. (Visit their website) Residents are advised to call the transfer station to verify costs, operating hours and if they accept private vehicles.
Option 4 - Recycling Center Drop Off - (Fee required)
Residents may drop off small amounts of acceptable construction materials at the Recycling Center for a fee. Vouchers are $50.00 each and may be purchased in the DPW office or the Recycling office during their regular operating hours. Exact change or a check made payable to the Borough is required. The Recycling Center staff does not accept cash or payment of any kind and only accepts the vouchers. Vouchers expire one year after purchase and are non-refundable.
Required Vouchers by Vehicle Type
| Vehicle type | Vouchers | Total Cost |
| Passenger Car | 1 | $50.00 |
| Trailer | 2 | $100.00 |
| SUV, Van or Pickup | 3 | $150.00 |
Regulations for dumping:
- Must be a Fair Lawn Resident to purchase vouchers AND dump materials.
- No businesses, contractors, handymen or anyone doing work for money or exchange of services.
- You will not be permitted to dump if you are coming in your contractor's vehicle to show your proof of residency, but the contractor is actually dumping the material (their truck and employee(s))
- No commercial, rented or contractor vehicles. Passenger style vehicles only. Decision of staff is final.
- Vouchers are required for EACH dump.
- Vehicles must be legally loaded and improper loads or unsafe loads may be rejected by staff.
Option 5 - Curbside Collection on Designated Days
Residents may place out up to 4 barrels of acceptable construction material on their garbage day designated with a "D" in the current recycling handbook. These special collections take place in May and October. Excessive or unacceptable materials will not be collected by the garbage hauler. Regular garbage will not take construction materials.
Last Updated: Mon, 05/15/2023 - 6:21pm