Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Camden
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.
City-issued trash receptacle Bin (Trash)
All household trash should be bagged and placed inside the official city-issued trash receptacle. Place bins at the curb prior to your scheduled collection day, ensuring they do not block sidewalks or street sweepers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
City-issued recycling bucket Bin (Recycling)
Camden utilizes a single-stream recycling system. All accepted recyclables must be placed loose inside the bucket. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited and will cause your bucket to be rejected.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic containers
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Cardboard and mixed paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags of any kind
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires)
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Construction materials
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste must be bagged, and all branches must be tied into manageable bundles. You must call Public Works at 856-757-7132 to schedule a specific yard waste pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Bundled branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your standard collection day
Placement
Place up to three allowed bulk items alongside your regular household trash on your designated collection day. Ensure mattresses are fully wrapped.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Couches and chairs
- ✓ Mattresses (must be sealed in plastic)
- ✓ Box springs (must be sealed in plastic)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Automotive parts
- ✕ Tires
There are no extra fees for up to three items, but anything exceeding this limit, or unaccepted materials like construction debris, will not be collected.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling collections are generally delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Scheduled yard waste pickups are suspended on observed holidays and must be arranged for active municipal workdays.
Because holiday schedules can occasionally shift, residents are strongly encouraged to download and check the Recycle Coach app via the city website for real-time calendar updates.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Ban on Plastic Bags in Recycling
Never place your recyclables inside a plastic garbage bag, and never toss loose grocery bags into your recycling bucket. Plastic film wraps around the sorting machinery at the processing plant, causing costly delays.
Keep Heavy Debris Out of Trash Bins
Do not attempt to hide bricks, concrete, dirt, or heavy lumber inside your household trash receptacle. This heavy construction debris damages the collection trucks and will lead to an uncollected bin.
Seal Mattresses Completely
Leaving an unwrapped mattress on the curb is considered a sanitary hazard. If you are discarding a mattress as part of your three allowed bulk items, it must be entirely sealed in a plastic mattress bag.
Seasonal Information
Spring & Summer
April - AugustThe City of Camden frequently organizes bi-weekly community cleanups during the warmer months. These events focus on removing excess trash, weeding public areas, and clearing storm drains in various neighborhoods.
Fall
October - DecemberDuring the autumn leaf drop, remember that leaves cannot be swept into the street, as they clog the storm drains. You must bag your leaves and call the Public Works office to be placed on the collection schedule.
Winter
December - MarchIn the event of heavy snowfall, ensure your trash and recycling buckets are clearly visible and accessible from the street. Do not place bins on top of snowbanks where they could tip over or obstruct snow plows.
About Camden Waste Management
Strict Limits on Curbside Bulk Trash
Unlike some municipalities that allow unlimited bulk cleanouts on specific days, the City of Camden enforces a strict limit on large household waste. Residents are permitted a maximum of exactly three (3) bulk items per standard trash collection day. This gradual disposal method prevents sidewalks from becoming cluttered and ensures the contracted waste management teams can efficiently complete their neighborhood routes.
Mandatory Mattress Wrapping Policy
If you are upgrading your bedroom, disposing of your old bed requires an extra step. While mattresses and box springs do count toward your weekly three-item bulk limit, they will be left on the curb if not properly prepared. The Department of Public Works strictly mandates that all mattresses must be completely sealed in protective plastic before waste management will accept them, a rule implemented to protect workers from bedbugs and other pests.
How to Obtain Official City Bins
If you have recently moved to Camden or your bins are damaged, you don't need to purchase replacements from a local hardware store. The City of Camden provides official trash receptacles and recycling buckets directly to residents. You can easily request these bins by calling the Public Works office at 856-757-7132, ensuring your waste is properly contained according to municipal standards.
Call Ahead for Yard Waste Collections
Tidying up your garden or mowing the lawn requires a bit of proactive planning in Camden. You cannot simply leave bagged grass clippings, leaves, or bundled branches out with your regular weekly garbage. Residents are required to bag their yard waste, securely bundle any loose branches, and then call the Public Works office to officially get placed on the yard waste pickup schedule.
Zero Tolerance for Construction Debris
Home renovations generate heavy waste that the standard municipal trucks are not equipped to handle. Camden's waste management and Public Works teams will absolutely not remove construction debris like concrete, drywall, or lumber. Property owners must either hire a private hauler, rent a commercial dumpster, or transport the materials themselves to the Camden County Landfill in neighboring Pennsauken, where disposal is charged by weight.
Drop-off Facilities
Camden County Landfill (Pennsauken)
9600 River Road, Pennsauken, NJ 08110
Materials Accepted
EMR Camden Scrap Metal
1500 South 6th Street, Camden, NJ 08104
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I throw away an old mattress in Camden?
You can discard a mattress on your regular trash day, as it counts toward your allowance of three (3) bulk items per week. However, the mattress must be completely sealed in a plastic bag before placing it on the curb; otherwise, waste management will not collect it.
What is the rule for disposing of grass clippings and leaves?
Yard waste is not picked up automatically with regular trash. You must place your grass clippings and leaves in bags, bundle any loose branches securely, and then call the Public Works office at 856-757-7132 to be placed on the yard waste collection schedule.
Can I put construction debris in my trash bucket?
No. The Department of Public Works and the city's waste management contractors will not collect construction debris. You must hire a private hauler, rent a dumpster, or haul the materials to the Camden County Landfill in Pennsauken, where you will be charged by weight.
How do I get a new trash or recycling bucket?
The City of Camden provides official trash receptacles and recycling buckets to its residents. You can obtain them by contacting the Public Works department directly at 856-757-7132 for further instructions on delivery or pickup.