Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bayonne
In New Jersey, municipal refuse and recycling routes operate weekly. Your exact collection days are determined by your local borough or township.
State Mandate
The NJ Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act requires all residents to separate designated recyclables.
Any standard securely lidded bin Bin (Trash)
Place your securely lidded trash receptacles at the curb no earlier than 5:00 PM on the evening of your scheduled collection. Nighttime collections mean trucks run late, so bins must be properly sealed against pests.
Accepted Items
- ✓Normal household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Any labeled recycling receptacle Bin (Recycling)
Recycling pick-up begins at 9:00 PM. Keep bottles and cans in labeled receptacles or clear recycling bags. Cardboard must be securely bundled or contained within a labeled bin to prevent it from blowing away.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Newspapers and mixed paper
- ✓Cardboard (must be bundled)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Paint cans
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Televisions and computers
Yard Waste Bin
Leaves must be placed in ecology-friendly paper leaf bags or loose in barrels. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited and will be rejected by the collection crews. Grass clippings and hedge trimmings are excluded from the fall leaf program.
Accepted Items
- ✓Autumn leaves
- ✓Foliage
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Second and third Saturdays of each month
Placement
After securing your appointment by calling 201-858-6123, place your approved bulk items at the curb after 5:00 PM on the Friday evening before your scheduled Saturday collection.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture
- ✓ Couches and chairs
- ✓ Mattresses (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Box springs (must be wrapped in plastic)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions
- ✕ Computers
- ✕ Scrap metal
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste
Bulk pickups within the three-item limit are generally included for residents, but failure to wrap mattresses or exceeding the limit may result in rejection or municipal fines.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a major holiday causes the regional transfer station to close, trash and recycling pickups for that night are canceled. Residents must hold their waste until their next regularly scheduled zone pickup day.
Yard Waste Exception
Monday leaf collections may be shifted or skipped if a major holiday falls on a Monday. Check the Recycle Coach app for specific seasonal updates.
Because Bayonne collects waste at night, a holiday closure often affects the evening of the holiday itself. Always consult the Recycle Coach app or the city's official notices before placing bins out on a holiday evening.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Styrofoam Out of the Recycling Bin
Bayonne's recycling facilities do not process expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam). Break it down and put it in your regular household garbage to avoid contaminating your recycling load.
Bundle Your Cardboard
Loose cardboard boxes left on the curb can quickly blow into neighbors' yards or into the street. Always flatten and securely tie your cardboard with twine, or nest it tightly inside a larger, heavier bin.
Never Bag Yard Waste in Plastic
During the fall leaf collection season, leaves tightly sealed in plastic garbage bags will be left on the curb. You must use paper ecology bags or reusable open barrels.
Seasonal Information
Autumn
October - DecemberThe city conducts curbside autumn leaf pick-ups on ten consecutive Mondays starting in mid-October. Free biodegradable leaf bags are typically available for residents at City Hall (Room 11) and the local Senior Centers on 4th and 56th streets.
Winter
December - MarchDuring major snowstorms where snow accumulates heavily on sidewalks and streets, the DPW frequently suspends bulk, electronics, and scrap metal pickups. This frees up resources and street space for plowing operations.
Summer
July - SeptemberBecause garbage collections occur at night during warmer months, it is crucial to ensure all trash bags are tied securely and placed in bins with tight-fitting lids to deter raccoons, rodents, and seagulls.
About Bayonne Waste Management
Embracing the Night: Bayonne's Evening Recycling Collections
In a unique move to streamline city services and reduce daytime traffic congestion, the City of Bayonne shifted to a nighttime recycling collection model in October 2022. Rather than waking up early to drag bins to the curb, residents must place their recycling out after 5:00 PM on their designated evening. The collection trucks begin their routes at exactly 9:00 PM. This nighttime approach ensures cleaner morning streets, though residents are urged to secure their labeled receptacles so nighttime winds off Newark Bay don't scatter paper and cardboard.
Navigating Bulk Trash Saturdays
Unlike municipalities that collect bulky items alongside regular garbage, Bayonne enforces a strict separation. You cannot leave a couch or a dining table out on your normal trash night. Instead, bulk refuse is exclusively collected on the second and third Saturdays of each month, and it is strictly by appointment. Residents are limited to three large items per collection and must call the DPW at 201-858-6123 in advance to secure their spot on the route map.
Free Ecology Bags and Autumn Leaf Pickups
When fall arrives in Bayonne, the Department of Public Works initiates a robust 10-week leaf collection program operating exclusively on Mondays. To keep plastic out of the composting process, the city prohibits plastic bags for yard waste. To help offset the cost for homeowners, Bayonne distributes free ecology-friendly paper leaf bags at City Hall and local senior centers (like the 4th Street and 56th Street locations) every October. Residents can simply show up to claim their five-bag packet while supplies last.
Strict Regulations for Mattresses and E-Waste
If you are upgrading your bedroom or living room, take note of Bayonne's specific disposal rules. Bedbugs are a regional concern, so all mattresses and box springs must be completely sealed in plastic before they are allowed on the curb for a scheduled pickup. Similarly, electronic waste like flat-screen TVs and old computers are banned from normal trash. The city provides a dedicated Monday-through-Friday e-waste collection service, but you must call 201-858-6099 a day in advance to schedule your curbside electronic pickup.
Scrap Metal Tuesdays
Bayonne optimizes its recycling routes by dedicating specific days to specific materials. If you have old metal shelving, pipes, or metal appliances, they will not be taken on a standard bulk Saturday. Scrap metal is picked up solely on Tuesdays. Just like e-waste and bulk furniture, this requires a proactive phone call to the Recycling Coordinator one business day in advance to reserve your collection.
Drop-off Facilities
Bayonne Recycling Center
330 Hook Road, Bayonne, NJ 07002
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should I put my recycling out in Bayonne?
Bayonne uses a nighttime collection schedule for both trash and recycling. You should place your bins at the curb after 5:00 PM on your scheduled day. The collection trucks begin their routes at 9:00 PM.
How do I throw away an old mattress in Bayonne?
Bedbug prevention is strictly enforced. You must completely wrap and seal your mattress and box spring in plastic. Once wrapped, call the DPW at 201-858-6123 to schedule a bulk pickup, or drop it off yourself at the Hook Road facility with proof of residency.
Can I leave a couch on the curb on my regular garbage night?
No. The city does not pick up bulk items on regular garbage nights. Couches and other large furniture are collected strictly on the second and third Saturdays of the month. You must call ahead to reserve a spot, and there is a limit of three items per collection.
How do I dispose of a broken TV or computer?
Televisions and electronics are considered e-waste and are banned from regular trash. Bayonne offers curbside e-waste pickup Monday through Friday. You simply need to call the Recycling Coordinator at 201-858-6099 one business day in advance to schedule the collection.