Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Cranford
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.
Determined by your private hauler Bin (Trash)
Trash collection is completely privatized. You must contact your contracted private hauler directly to find out their specific container limits, placement times, and service restrictions.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
Blue bin preferred (32 to 64 gallons) Bin (Recycling)
Commingle all recyclables in a reusable container with a lid. The DPW strictly forbids using laundry baskets as recycling bins. Place at the curb by 6:00 a.m. Obtain a free recycling sticker from the DPW or Municipal Building.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean plastics #1, #2, and #5
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Cardboard boxes (must be flattened and tied)
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and junk mail
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags of any kind
- ✕Plastic storage containers and planters
- ✕Boxes with Styrofoam
- ✕Shredded paper in plastic bags
- ✕Latex gloves and masks
- ✕Plastic garbage pails
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste must be transported to the Conservation Center on Birchwood Ave. An annual permit is required for vegetative waste, though the food waste composting program does not require a permit.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush and branches
- ✓Food waste (in designated bins only)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
None (Municipal) / By Private Arrangement
Placement
Do not leave bulky furniture at the curb. You must contact your private hauler to arrange a scheduled pickup or self-haul it to the Westfield drop-off.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches
- ✓ Chairs
- ✓ Tables
- ✓ Mattresses
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Chemicals
- ✕ Large construction debris
Because you must hire a private hauler or use the out-of-town Westfield facility, bulk disposal will incur out-of-pocket fees or require a specialized permit.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Since household garbage is collected by private haulers, your holiday trash schedule depends entirely on your specific provider's rules. For municipal recycling, monitor the Giordano website and Cranford Township alerts for any 1-day delays.
Yard Waste Exception
The Conservation Center may alter its hours during severe winter weather or major municipal holidays. Check the DPW website before visiting.
If Giordano misses your recycling pickup due to routing or weather, you must report it within 24 hours by calling 973-242-2250, ext. 2.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Never Use Plastic Bags
Plastic shopping and garbage bags wrap around the sorting gears at Giordano's recycling plant, causing severe delays. Never bag your recyclables, and keep all soft plastics out of your curbside bin.
Strict Plastic Number Limits
The Township only accepts plastics stamped with a #1, #2, or #5. Even if a large plastic planter, storage tote, or garbage pail feels like it should be recyclable, it is strictly prohibited and will result in a rejected bin.
Tie Your Flattened Cardboard
Unlike some single-stream programs, Cranford requires all corrugated cardboard boxes to be completely flattened and tied with string. Make sure there is nothing caught in between the tied layers, such as styrofoam packing peanuts or air pillows.
Seasonal Information
Winter
January - FebruaryThe Cranford Conservation Center closes on Sundays during the winter months of January and February [1.2.1]. However, there is no disruption to their Wednesday (9:30 a.m. - 3:20 p.m.) or Saturday (9:30 a.m. - 3:50 p.m.) operating hours during this time.
Autumn
October - DecemberDuring fall cleanups, ensure you have purchased your annual Conservation Center sticker if you plan to transport heavy loads of leaves and brush to the Birchwood Avenue facility.
Year-Round
January - DecemberThe "Food Waste to Energy" bins at the Conservation Center accept vegetables, fruits, and meats year-round to help lower the township's overall carbon emissions and landfill tonnage.
About Cranford Waste Management
Privatized Trash Collection in Cranford
Unlike many neighboring municipalities in Union County, Cranford Township does not provide municipal or tax-funded garbage collection. Residents must independently contract with a private waste hauler, such as Grand Sanitation, R.N.D. Disposal, or Republic Waste, for their weekly household refuse. Because of this decentralized system, your designated trash day, bin size limits, and specific garbage rules are completely dictated by your chosen provider.
Bi-Weekly Single-Stream Recycling Rules
While trash is privatized, curbside recycling is managed by the Township through a contract with Giordano Company Inc. Collections occur every other Monday and Tuesday between 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., depending on your specific zone. Residents can commingle clean plastics (labeled #1, #2, and #5), glass bottles, aluminum cans, and paper into a single blue container. Recycling must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m., and containers should hold between 32 and 64 gallons.
Maximizing the Cranford Conservation Center
Located on Birchwood Avenue, the Cranford Conservation Center is a crucial facility for materials that cannot go to the curb. While a purchased annual permit is required for dropping off most yard waste and vegetative debris, there are exceptions. Residents can drop off missed curbside recycling, donate clothing to the Helpsy bins, and participate in the innovative "Food Waste to Energy" program entirely without a permit.
No Municipal Bulk Waste Pickup
If you are upgrading your furniture or clearing out your garage, be aware that the Cranford Department of Public Works does not collect bulk waste at the curb, nor do they accept bulky items like couches or mattresses at the Conservation Center. To dispose of large items, residents must either schedule a special paid pickup directly with their private trash hauler or utilize a shared regional drop-off service located in neighboring Westfield.
Drop-off Facilities
Cranford Conservation Center
210 Birchwood Ave, Cranford, NJ 07016
Materials Accepted
Westfield Conservation Center (for Bulk Waste)
1300 Lamberts Mill Rd, Westfield, NJ 07090
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cranford Township provide weekly garbage pickup?
No. Cranford is one of the municipalities in Union County that requires homeowners to contract privately for garbage collection [1.1.1]. You must hire and pay a private company, such as Grand Sanitation or Republic Waste, for your regular trash removal.
What should I do if my recycling wasn't picked up on time?
If Giordano Company misses your curbside collection, you must report it within 24 hours by calling 973-242-2250, ext. 2. Alternatively, you can drop off your missed recyclables directly at the Cranford Conservation Center on Birchwood Avenue without needing a permit.
Can I use a laundry basket as my recycling bin?
No. The Department of Public Works strictly prohibits using laundry baskets for curbside recycling, as they can easily be mistaken for discarded waste and damaged. Use a standard 32 to 64-gallon reusable container, preferably blue, equipped with a lid.
How do I get rid of an old couch or mattress in Cranford?
The Cranford DPW does not provide curbside bulk waste collection, nor will they accept it at the Conservation Center. You have two options: pay your private trash hauler for a special bulky item pickup or utilize the regional drop-off facility located in neighboring Westfield.