Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for City of Orange
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 55-gallon can with lid Bin (Trash)
Garbage must be placed in plastic bags (not paper bags) and put inside 55-gallon cans with tight-fitting lids. Do not put cans out before 7:00 PM the night before or after 5:00 AM on your pickup day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food preparation waste
- ✓Standard household refuse
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Reusable container or clear plastic bags Bin (Recycling)
Co-mingled bottles and cans must be mixed in one reusable container or tied in clear plastic bags. All containers must be rinsed and drained of liquids.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum beverage cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Household tin cans
- ✓Milk, water, and laundry jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Dark colored plastic bags
- ✕Yogurt cups
- ✕Plastic food storage tubs
- ✕Loose plastic shopping bags
Yard Waste Bin
Must be bagged in biodegradable paper bags or placed in containers not exceeding 35 gallons. No plastic bags are accepted for yard waste.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Branches (cut and tied in bundles up to 4 feet)
- ✓Yard trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once per week (Specific day depends on address zone)
Placement
Place at the curb no earlier than 7:00 PM the night before collection and no later than 5:00 AM the morning of your zone's bulk day.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses (MUST be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Box springs
- ✓ Wooden furniture and wood doors
- ✓ Rolled carpet (cut to size and tied)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition material (concrete, asphalt)
- ✕ Hazardous waste and tires
- ✕ Stumps and logs
- ✕ Electronics and large metal appliances
There is no fee for up to 5 bulk items. However, the removal of debris generated by home improvement projects is the sole responsibility of the property owner and will not be collected by the DPW.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Garbage is picked up from the curb two times a week, but services are suspended on major holidays. Schedules typically shift for the remainder of the holiday week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste pickups may require rescheduling if the Monday 3:00 PM appointment request deadline falls on a recognized city holiday.
The city encourages downloading the Recycle Coach App for up-to-date solid waste collection and recycling holiday changes specific to your street.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
No Dark Bags for Recycling
While Orange allows you to put your co-mingled bottles and cans in clear plastic bags, dark-colored garbage bags are strictly prohibited and will cause your recycling to be left at the curb.
Leave the Leaves Out of Plastic
All leaves and yard waste must be placed in biodegradable paper bags or standard containers up to 35 gallons. Landscapers and homeowners are never allowed to use plastic bags for organic waste.
Skip the Yogurt Cups
While many rigid plastics are recyclable, the City of Orange specifically excludes yogurt cups and flat plastic food storage tubs from the curbside recycling program. Place these items in your regular trash.
Seasonal Information
Autumn
October - DecemberDuring the official leaf collection season (Oct 15 - Dec 15), leaves are picked up without an appointment. Free biodegradable bags are available to residents at the Brook Alley Garage while supplies last.
Spring/Summer
March - SeptemberOutside of the official fall leaf collection season, residents must call the DPW at 973-952-6077 by Monday at 3:00 PM to schedule a yard waste pickup appointment.
Winter
December - FebruaryThe DPW plows and salts over 35 miles of streets. Ensure your 55-gallon garbage cans are placed clear of snow plows, and strictly follow the rule to not put cans out before 7:00 PM the night before pickup.
About City of Orange Waste Management
Frequent Twice-Weekly Garbage Collection System
The City of Orange Department of Public Works operates a frequent residential waste collection schedule, picking up household garbage twice a week. Unlike municipalities that rely on automated carts, Orange requires residents to bag their food and household waste in plastic garbage bags before placing them inside standard 55-gallon cans with tight-fitting lids. Cans must be light enough to be easily handled by one person and placed at the curb between 7:00 PM the night before and 5:00 AM on the scheduled pickup day.
Strict Five-Item Limit for Bulk Trash
Effective January 1, 2023, the City of Orange updated its bulk waste policy, instituting a strict limit of five (5) items per household per designated bulk collection day. Bulk pickups occur once a week based on your address's zone map. Acceptable items include box springs, wooden furniture, and mattresses (which must be completely wrapped in plastic). Construction debris, tree stumps, and metal appliances are strictly prohibited from bulk piles.
Free Leaf Bags and Yard Waste Scheduling
Orange features a robust seasonal leaf collection program running strictly from October 15 through December 15. During this window, residents can place biodegradable paper bags or 35-gallon containers of yard waste at the curb without an appointment. To support the community, the DPW offers free biodegradable leaf bags to residents at the Brook Alley Garage while supplies last. Outside of this fall season, an appointment must be scheduled by Monday at 3:00 PM for pickup.
Clear Plastic Bags Permitted for Recycling
When it comes to recycling, the City of Orange offers unique flexibility by allowing residents to place co-mingled bottles, cans, and jugs in either a reusable container or clear plastic bags. While this is rare in New Jersey, the DPW explicitly warns that dark-colored bags will not be accepted. The city actively encourages residents to download the Recycle Coach app for real-time schedule updates and personalized sorting guidelines.
Essex County Hazardous Waste Partnerships
Handling toxic materials in Orange is managed through a county-wide partnership with the Essex County Utilities Authority (ECUA). Residents cannot leave hazardous items like pool chemicals, varnishes, oil-based paints, or car batteries at the curb. Instead, these items must be safely stored and brought to one of the ECUA's designated household hazardous waste collection days, which are held twice a year.
Drop-off Facilities
Essex County Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off
Various locations designated by the Essex County Utilities Authority (ECUA)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bulk items can I throw away each week in the City of Orange?
Effective January 1, 2023, the City of Orange enforces a strict limit of five (5) bulk waste items per pickup on your scheduled bulk collection day.
Does the City of Orange provide free leaf bags?
Yes, biodegradable leaf bags are available for Orange residents at the Brook Alley Garage (24 S. Center Street) Monday through Friday from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM, but only while supplies last.
Can I use plastic bags for my recycling in Orange?
You may use clear plastic bags or a reusable container for co-mingled bottles and cans. However, dark-colored bags and loose plastic shopping bags are strictly prohibited.
What size trash can do I need in the City of Orange?
Residential garbage should be placed in plastic garbage bags and put inside 55-gallon cans with tight-fitting lids. Cans cannot be heavier than one person can easily handle.