Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Belleville
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.
Standard household garbage container (Resident-provided) Bin (Trash)
Garbage cans must be placed behind the curb on the planting strip after 5:00 PM the night before pickup. Emptied containers must be removed from the curb promptly after collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Small broken household items
Township-issued Blue Container Bin (Recycling)
All containers must be thoroughly emptied and rinsed. Plastic lids and caps must be completely removed. Never place recyclables inside plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Plastic bottles and food containers (e.g., yogurt cups)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Metal cans and empty non-hazardous aerosols
- ✓Juice and milk cartons
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Plastic caps and lids
- ✕Styrofoam and plastic wrap
- ✕Large plastic items (cat litter pails, flower pots)
- ✕Hardback books and loose shredded paper
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in brown paper lawn bags or tied in bundles up to 4 feet in length and under 40 lbs. Collection runs weekly from April 1 to December 15. No plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Brush and small branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (Thursdays for Zone A, Fridays for Zone B)
Placement
Place bulk waste behind the curb on the planting strip after 5:00 PM the night before your scheduled collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Standard household furniture
- ✓ Rugs and carpets (must be rolled, tied, and cut to 4ft lengths)
- ✓ Latex paint (only if completely dried with sand/additive)
- ✓ Appliances and metal (requires scheduled appointment)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Car batteries
- ✕ Wet paint and hazardous chemicals
- ✕ Propane tanks
There is no direct fee for standard residential bulk collection or appliance pickup, but an appointment is mandatory for electronics, metal, and rimless tires by calling 973-450-3412.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a major observed holiday occurs, regular garbage and recycling collections may be delayed or rescheduled. Residents must consult the Township's official annual Garbage & Recycling Calendar for specific date adjustments.
Yard Waste Exception
Organic waste and brush collections are typically suspended during major holidays or severe weather events to prioritize essential municipal services.
Alternate side parking rules for street sweeping remain strictly enforced unless explicitly suspended by the Belleville Police Department during a snow emergency.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Always Remove Bottle Caps and Lids
Before tossing plastic or glass bottles into your blue recycling container, you must completely remove the plastic lids and caps, as they are not accepted and can contaminate the sorting process.
Keep Bulky Plastics Out of the Blue Bin
While standard plastic bottles are accepted, Belleville strictly prohibits throwing bulky plastics like large cat litter pails, flat plastic food trays, and garden flower pots into the recycling bin.
Never Bag Your Recyclables
Plastic garbage bags jam the mechanical sorting equipment at the county recycling facility. All paper, cardboard, cans, and bottles must be placed loosely inside the blue recycling container.
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - JuneThe Township's dedicated weekly leaf, grass, and brush collection officially begins on April 1st. Ensure all yard debris is placed in brown paper bags or tied in four-foot bundles; plastic bags are strictly prohibited.
Autumn
October - NovemberDuring peak leaf-falling season, adhere to local storm drain protection ordinances. Never rake, blow, or dump loose leaves directly into the street, as this causes localized flooding and will result in a municipal summons.
Winter
December - FebruaryYard waste collection concludes on December 15th. During winter snowstorms, make sure all garbage and recycling containers remain placed securely behind the curb line so they do not interfere with DPW snowplow operations.
About Belleville Waste Management
Streamlined Solid Waste Management in Belleville
The Township of Belleville’s Department of Public Works takes immense pride in maintaining clean, safe streets through a highly organized municipal waste collection system. Belleville is divided into two distinct zones—Zone A and Zone B—which dictate the specific days for standard household garbage and bulk item disposal. Residents must strictly adhere to placing their bins behind the curb on the planting strip after 5:00 PM the night before pickup to prevent obstruction of local roadways.
Utilizing the Blue Recycling Container Properly
Belleville takes an aggressive stance on recycling contamination. Homeowners are provided with blue recycling containers meant specifically for clean, unbagged recyclables. The Township explicitly mandates that residents remove all plastic lids and caps from bottles and rinse out food containers before disposal. Furthermore, items like large plastic cat litter pails, flat plastic food trays, and flower pots are strictly banned from the curbside recycling program.
Scheduling Rules for Weekly Bulk Item Disposal
Unlike municipalities that require residents to hold onto large items for months, Belleville offers weekly bulk trash collection based on your zone (Thursdays for Zone A, Fridays for Zone B). While you can simply place standard furniture or tied rugs out on your designated bulk day without prior notice, specialized items such as scrap metal, appliances (white goods), and electronics explicitly require a scheduled appointment by calling the DPW hotline.
Strict Guidelines for Leaf, Grass, and Brush Collection
Between April 1st and December 15th, Belleville operates a robust weekly collection program for organic yard waste. However, the Township enforces strict rules to protect its stormwater infrastructure. Leaves and grass clippings must be placed in biodegradable brown paper bags, while branches must be tied into four-foot bundles weighing no more than 40 pounds. Sweeping or dumping loose leaves directly into the street is illegal and subject to municipal fines.
Managing Hazardous Household Waste and Electronics
Toxic materials such as wet paint, motor oil, pesticides, and propane tanks cannot be placed in standard municipal bins due to severe environmental risks. Belleville residents must utilize the Essex County Utilities Authority's seasonal Household Hazardous Waste drop-off events. However, for latex paint, the Belleville DPW allows curbside disposal on bulk days, provided the paint has been thoroughly dried out using sand or a commercial hardening additive.
Drop-off Facilities
Essex County Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off
Various designated locations across Essex County (Check County Utilities Authority schedule)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to schedule an appointment for bulk trash pickup in Belleville?
For general furniture and tied carpets, you do not need an appointment; simply place them out on your zone's bulk day (Thursday for Zone A, Friday for Zone B). However, you must call the DPW at 973-450-3412 to schedule pickups for appliances, scrap metal, tires, and electronics.
How do I properly dispose of old rugs or carpeting?
If you are replacing flooring, all rugs and carpets must be cut into lengths of four feet or less, tightly tied into bundles, and placed at the curb for your zone's regular bulk collection day.
Can I put my grass clippings and leaves in plastic bags?
No. Belleville Township strictly mandates that all leaves, grass, and brush be placed in biodegradable brown paper yard bags. Plastic bags or solid containers filled with rocks and dirt will not be collected.
Where exactly should I place my garbage cans for collection?
All garbage cans, recycling containers, and leaf bags must be placed behind the curb on the planting strip. Placing bins or loose debris directly in the street is prohibited and can lead to a summons, especially during street sweeping or snow plowing.