Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Carteret
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 trash colors Bin (Trash)
Trash must be securely contained. Garbage mixed with recyclables will be rejected and subject to fines under random DPW inspections.
Accepted Items
- ✓Normal household solid waste
- ✓Drinking glasses and window glass (must be bagged)
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed in blue recycling containers purchased from the recycling department or clearly marked. Never use plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1, #2, and #3 (water, juice, detergent bottles)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Green, brown, and clear glass bottles/jars
- ✓Corrugated cardboard (tied/bundled), cereal and shirt boxes
- ✓Junk mail and newspapers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Drinking glasses and window glass
- ✕Pizza boxes with grease
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Branches must be tied and cut to 4-foot lengths. Painted wood must be tied in 4-foot bundles (no nails). Leaves must be in biodegradable bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush, bushes, and branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (up to 2 non-recyclable items) on the regular trash day, or the 2nd trash day of the week during summer.
Placement
Doors must be removed from all refrigerators and freezers. Metal poles and wood must be cut to 4-foot lengths. Swing sets and pools must be completely disassembled.
Accepted
- ✓ Wood furniture
- ✓ Carpets
- ✓ Appliances and refrigerators (by appointment, $10 fee)
- ✓ Scrap metal, bicycles, metal bed frames
- ✓ Concrete and bricks (placed curbside, up to 1 cubic yard free)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Contractor and construction materials
- ✕ Car parts of any kind
- ✕ Tires (must be dropped off at the Recycling Center)
- ✕ Hazardous waste or used motor oil
Refrigerators and freezers require a $10 fee per item. Concrete and masonry over 1 cubic yard will incur a volume-based fee up to 8 cubic yards.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The Carteret Recycling Center and DPW operations are closed on major holidays. Curbside collections scheduled on a holiday are typically delayed by one day, shifting the rest of the week forward.
Yard Waste Exception
Special bulk pickups and yard waste collections may face extended delays during holiday weeks or severe snow events.
Residents should check the Borough's online Sanitation & Recycling Guide or call 732-541-3881 for specific holiday schedule modifications.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Separate Glass Types Correctly
Only glass bottles and jars (green, brown, clear) are accepted in the blue recycling bin. Drinking glasses, mirrors, and window glass have different melting points and must be bagged and thrown in the regular garbage.
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Bin
The Carteret DPW strictly prohibits plastic bags in the recycling stream. Recyclables left curbside in plastic bags will not be picked up, as they jam the processing machinery.
No Grass in Leaf Bags
When using the free leaf bags provided by the Carteret Public Library in the fall, ensure they contain leaves only. Bags contaminated with grass clippings will not be collected.
Seasonal Information
Autumn
October - NovemberThe Borough's Leaf Bag Program is active. Residents can pick up free biodegradable leaf bags from the Carteret Public Library. Do not rake or blow loose leaves directly into the street.
Summer
June - AugustDuring the summer schedule, the two permitted weekly bulk items are only collected on the second scheduled garbage pickup day of the week for your specific district.
Winter
JanuaryChristmas trees are collected on your regularly scheduled recycling days throughout January. Remove all decorations, stands, and absolutely do not put the tree in a plastic disposal bag.
About Carteret Waste Management
Strict Recycling Enforcement & Random Inspections
The Borough of Carteret takes its recycling mandates very seriously. The Department of Public Works conducts random inspections of residential garbage bins. If inspectors find recyclables mixed in with regular household trash, the entire bin will be tagged and left uncollected until the next regularly scheduled garbage day—only after the recyclables have been removed. Repeat offenders may also be subject to municipal fines for violating local recycling ordinances.
Handling Weekly Bulk Waste and Summer Shifts
Carteret offers a highly convenient bulk waste program where residents can place up to two non-recyclable bulk items (such as wood furniture or carpets) at the curb on their regular garbage pickup day. However, it is crucial to note that during the summer months, this policy shifts slightly: bulk items will only be collected on the second scheduled pickup day of the week for your specific zone.
Fall Leaf Collection and the Library Bag Program
During the autumn months, the Borough facilitates a structured leaf collection program. To assist residents, free biodegradable leaf bags are distributed at the Carteret Public Library every October and November. These specific bags are meant exclusively for fallen leaves. The DPW explicitly warns that if grass clippings or other yard debris are mixed into these leaf bags, they will be rejected at the curb.
Disposing of Appliances, Concrete, and Scrap Metal
Disposing of heavy materials or white goods requires adherence to strict safety and fee structures. All refrigerators and freezers must have their doors completely removed prior to curbside placement, and residents must pay a $10 fee per appliance. For heavier materials like concrete, bricks, and rocks, the Borough allows up to one cubic yard to be collected for free, but these items must be placed in the road alongside the curb rather than in standard bins. Volumes exceeding one cubic yard will incur a specific fee.
Drop-off Facilities
Carteret Recycling Center
339 Roosevelt Avenue, Carteret, NJ 07008
Materials Accepted
Middlesex County Hazardous Waste Drop-off
Various locations across Middlesex County
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I accidentally put recyclables in my regular trash?
Carteret conducts random recycling inspections. If recyclables are found in your garbage, it will not be collected until your next scheduled garbage day after you have removed the recyclables. You may also be subject to fines under Borough ordinances.
How do I get rid of an old refrigerator or freezer?
Appliances like refrigerators and freezers require a special pickup appointment. You must completely remove the doors for safety reasons and pay a $10 fee per item prior to collection.
Where can I recycle my old TV and computer?
Electronic waste cannot be placed at the curb with regular bulk trash. You can drop off your computers, televisions, and electronics for free at the Carteret Recycling Center located at 339 Roosevelt Avenue.
Does the Borough collect concrete or bricks?
Yes, but with strict limitations. You must place concrete, rocks, or masonry in the road alongside the curb, not in standard bins. The DPW will collect up to 1 cubic yard for free; anything beyond that incurs a volume-based fee and requires an estimate.