Graphic: Somerset County Recycling Division.

How recyclables are separated and picked up will change for a number of township residents in early December.

About 425 homes will be switched to dual-stream recycling, which means they will be getting separate containers for cardboard and paper products and for glass, cans and plastics.

Those affected lie within the area bordered roughly by Route 287, the South Bound Brook border, Canal Road and Easton Avenue, said John Kendzulak, the count’s recycling superintendent.

Those residents being switched will receive two 65-gallon containers for the recyclables. The one for paper and cardboard will have a lime-green lid, and the other will have a yellow lid.

No businesses are affected, Kendzulak said.

“We anticipate that the new totes will be delivered on Nov. 23,” Kendzulak said. “The first pickup will occur on Dec. 6.”

According to a flier that will be distributed with the new recycling bins, residents should put the containers no further than three feet from the curb, with the wheels facing their house. The two containers should be spaced about two feet apart.

Area in green is where dual-stream recycling will start in December.

The spacing is necessary because of the trucks that will be used to pick up the containers, according to the flier.

“The equipment that will collect these totes will employ a state-of-the-art truck that not only services customers quickly, but also addresses the safety and health concerns of employees,” according to the flier. “The new technology eliminates the need to physically lift and dump the totes, reducing many injuries, particularly to the back and shoulder areas.”

Kendzulak said there are no immediate plans to expand the program into other parts of the township.

Those residents who do not want to keep their current 20-gallon recycling container can call the county and they will be picked up, according to the flier.

Anyone with questions can call (732) 469-3363.