Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Camden
Trash Day
Trash collection occurs once weekly from Monday through Thursday depending on your neighborhood district (during peak summer months, collections may increase to twice weekly).
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on your neighborhood's assigned collection day.
Yard Waste
Curbside leaf and yard waste collection is provided on a seasonal schedule by the Department of Public Works.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash and recycling collection is a municipal service provided by the Department of Public Works and funded through your local property taxes rather than a separate trash utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In Person, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior citizens (age 65+) and permanently disabled homeowners may qualify for property tax relief and deductions through the City Tax Assessor.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Bottles and Cans in Camden? Turn Them into Cash!
Looking to pocket some extra cash while helping the environment right here in Camden? While New Jersey doesn't have a widespread bottle redemption program for *all* beverages, many common drink containers like soda and water bottles often have a nickel deposit. Keep an eye out for local scrap metal yards that might be willing to take your aluminum cans and other metals off your hands. A quick search for "scrap metal buyers Camden NJ" can point you to places that might offer a bit of money for your sorted recyclables. It's a great way to clear out clutter and earn a little something extra!
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a New Life in Camden
Before you toss perfectly good items, think about donating them! Camden has a few spots where your old clothes, furniture, or household goods can find new owners. Consider checking out the Saint Vincent de Paul Thrift Store on Federal Street – they often accept a variety of donations. Another good option could be the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in nearby Cherry Hill, which is fantastic for furniture, building materials, and home decor. Giving your items a second chance not only helps others but also keeps useful things out of the landfill.
Keeping Our Camden Streets Clean: What to Do About Piles?
Nobody likes seeing trash dumped where it shouldn't be. If you spot illegal dumping in Camden, the city wants to know! You can reach out to the City of Camden's Public Works Department at 856-757-7000. They are the ones to contact to report these situations and help keep our neighborhoods tidy. While specific community clean-up dates aren't always publicized far in advance, staying connected with local community groups or checking the city's official announcements can keep you in the loop for any organized efforts to spruce up Camden.
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.