Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Cliffside Park
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.
Any standard color Bin (Trash)
Must be contained in a standard metal or plastic garbage can not to exceed 46 gallons in capacity.
Accepted Items
- ✓Normal household garbage
- ✓Discarded foodstuffs
- ✓Non-recyclable wrappers
Any standard color Bin (Recycling)
Glass and cans must be placed in reusable metal or plastic containers not to exceed 6 gallons in capacity. Newspapers must be bundled with twine or placed in paper bags not exceeding 50 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Washed glass
- ✓Aluminum cans
- ✓Tin/ferrous cans
- ✓Bundled newspapers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Newspapers in plastic bags
- ✕Unwashed food containers
- ✕Batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Grass clippings must be in clean, empty receptacles (no plastic or paper bags). Leaves have varying seasonal requirements (curbside piles vs. bagged).
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Hedge clippings
- ✓Branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Collected by the Borough or authorized agents.
Placement
Place accepted bulky items and tires at the curb. Always remove the doors from refrigerators and freezers prior to placing them out for collection.
Accepted
- ✓ White metals
- ✓ Stoves
- ✓ Refrigerators
- ✓ Air conditioners
- ✓ Residential vehicle tires
Not Accepted
- ✕ Commercial automotive tires
- ✕ Unprepared refrigerators with doors attached
- ✕ Hazardous waste
Contact the Cliffside Park DPW for information regarding any potential fees or specific scheduling for large white metals.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Garbage and recycling collections are typically suspended on major holidays. Schedules will shift to the next designated collection day.
Yard Waste Exception
Seasonal leaf and grass clipping schedules may be temporarily paused during major holiday weeks.
Residents should check the Borough of Cliffside Park's official calendar or contact the DPW directly at 201-943-3675 to verify exact holiday schedule adjustments.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Newspapers Out of Plastic
Never use plastic bags to store or set out your used newspapers. They must be bundled with twine or string, or placed in brown paper bags.
Strict Recycling Bin Size Limit
Do not use oversized bins for your cans and glass. Cliffside Park mandates that reusable metal or plastic recycling bins for glass and aluminum/tin cans must not exceed a 6-gallon capacity.
No Bags for Grass Clippings
When setting out grass clippings between April and October, place them in a clean, empty receptacle. Using paper or plastic bags for grass clippings is explicitly prohibited by the borough.
Seasonal Information
Fall/Winter
September 1 - December 31Loose leaves can be placed in piles along the curbline (up to five feet wide) for collection by the DPW. Do not use plastic bags during this time.
Winter/Spring/Summer
January 1 - August 30Loose piles of leaves at the curb are not permitted. All leaves must be placed in bags containing only leaves, without any intermingled solid waste.
Spring/Summer/Fall
April - OctoberGrass clippings are picked up from the first week of April through the first week of October. They must be placed in clean, empty receptacles without bags.
About Cliffside Park Waste Management
Comprehensive Solid Waste and Recycling Services in Cliffside Park, NJ
Cliffside Park, nestled atop the Palisades in Bergen County, manages a robust solid waste and recycling program to keep its streets clean and environmentally sustainable. The local Department of Public Works (DPW) regulates household garbage, multi-stream recycling, and seasonal yard waste collection. Residents must strictly adhere to the borough's property maintenance and recycling codes to ensure smooth curbside pickups and avoid potential fines. By separating recyclables correctly, the borough reduces tipping fees through its interlocal agreements and minimizes its environmental footprint.
Understanding the Strict Multi-Stream Recycling Rules
Unlike single-stream programs where everything is tossed into one bin, Cliffside Park enforces a multi-stream recycling process with very specific container requirements. Residents are required to wash glass, aluminum, and tin cans, placing them in designated reusable containers that must not exceed a 6-gallon capacity. Used newspapers cannot be tossed in plastic bags; instead, they must be securely tied with twine or placed in paper bags weighing up to 50 pounds. All batteries, including alkaline and rechargeable, must not be mixed with standard refuse and should be dropped off at the municipal recycling center.
Seasonal Yard Waste and Leaf Collection Regulations
Yard waste disposal in Cliffside Park varies drastically depending on the season. From September 1 through December 31, homeowners can rake leaves directly into piles along the curb for DPW collection, provided the piles do not exceed five feet in width. From January through August, leaves must be bagged. Grass clippings have a separate schedule altogether—they are collected from the first week of April to the first week of October and must be placed in clean, empty receptacles without the use of plastic or paper yard bags.
Navigating Bulk Trash, Tires, and Appliance Disposal
Disposing of large items and household appliances, known under borough code as 'white metals', is streamlined for residents. Stoves, refrigerators, and air conditioners are collected by the Borough, but safety precautions, like removing refrigerator doors, must be followed. Notably, residential properties can place used tires at the curb on their regular garbage collection days—a unique convenience not offered by many neighboring municipalities. However, commercial automotive businesses and repair shops are strictly prohibited from utilizing this municipal tire pickup service.
Drop-off Facilities
Cliffside Park Municipal Recycling Center
Contact DPW for exact drop-off site location within Cliffside Park, NJ 07010
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispose of newspapers in Cliffside Park?
Newspapers must be bundled separately and secured with twine, string, or placed in paper bags weighing no more than 50 pounds. They cannot be placed in plastic bags.
What is the size limit for garbage and recycling bins?
Normal household garbage cans cannot exceed 46 gallons in capacity. For recycling glass, aluminum, and tin cans, residents must use reusable metal or plastic containers that strictly do not exceed a 6-gallon capacity.
When does Cliffside Park collect yard waste and grass clippings?
Grass clippings are picked up from the first week of April to the first week of October in clean, empty receptacles (no plastic or paper bags). Leaves are collected curbside in piles from September 1 to December 31, and must be bagged if placed out from January 1 to August 30.
Can I throw out old vehicle tires with my regular garbage?
Yes, residents are allowed to place used tires at the curb on regular trash pickup days. However, commercial automotive businesses and tire distributors must arrange for their own private disposal.