Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for East 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.
Any standard can or heavy-duty plastic bag Bin (Trash)
Place garbage in a standard trash can or securely tied plastic bag (never use paper bags or cardboard boxes). Receptacles must be placed at the curb no earlier than 5:00 PM the night before your scheduled twice-a-week collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household waste
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
Standard recycling bucket or receptacle Bin (Recycling)
Keep recyclables loose in a clearly designated bucket or bin. Do not bag your recycling. In East Orange, it is illegal for anyone other than municipal contractors to scavenge or remove materials placed at the curb for recycling.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Newspaper and mixed paper
- ✓Flattened cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags of any kind
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Hazardous materials
Yard Waste Bin
During the November to January leaf season, leaves MUST be placed in biodegradable paper bags and put out the night before your zone's specific leaf collection day. At all other times of the year, bagged yard waste should be put out as bulk trash.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly for standard bulk / By appointment for restricted items
Placement
For metals, tires, and electronics, you must call 973-266-5337 to be added to the collection schedule. You will be instructed exactly which day to place the items at the curb.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Bagged yard waste (February through October)
- ✓ Refrigerators and freezers (appointment only; doors removed)
- ✓ Televisions and computers (appointment only)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Concrete and bricks
- ✕ Dirt and stones
- ✕ Tree stumps and large logs
- ✕ Hazardous waste
There are no direct fees mentioned for standard residential bulk appointments, but failing to call ahead for restricted items will result in a missed collection and a potential municipal violation.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Garbage and recycling collections are suspended on official city holidays. Collections will generally resume on your next scheduled pickup day for your specific zone.
Yard Waste Exception
Leaf collection days during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's weeks will be adjusted. Check local schedules accordingly.
Because East Orange features a twice-weekly garbage schedule, a missed holiday pickup usually means you must hold your standard refuse until the second collection day of that week.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Never Use Paper Bags or Boxes for Trash
East Orange sanitation rules specifically prohibit placing household garbage into paper bags or cardboard boxes. Moisture easily destroys these materials, causing the bottom to drop out and spreading litter across the street.
Remove Refrigerator Doors for Safety
When scheduling a bulky appliance pickup, you must completely remove the doors from refrigerators and freezers before placing them on the curb. This is a strict safety code enforced to prevent children from getting trapped inside.
Keep Heavy Debris Out of Cans
Do not attempt to hide dirt, stones, bricks, or concrete blocks at the bottom of your trash can. Municipal crews will not collect these items, as the excess weight can damage the collection trucks and injure workers.
Seasonal Information
Fall & Winter
November - JanuaryThe city conducts a mandatory biodegradable bag leaf collection program during these months. The North section is collected Thursday and Friday; the Central section on Wednesday; and the South section on Monday and Tuesday.
Spring
April - MayEast Orange routinely hosts Spring Citywide Cleanups. Residents and volunteers are encouraged to participate in community sweeps under the city's 'Talk Trash: Don't Throw It!' anti-littering campaign.
Year-Round
QuarterlyThe city sponsors free paper shredding events periodically throughout the year (often in February, May, August, and November) to help residents safely dispose of sensitive documents.
About East Orange Waste Management
Twice-Weekly Curbside Garbage Collections
The City of East Orange provides a robust twice-a-week garbage collection service for standard household waste. To maintain clean streets, the Department of Public Works mandates that residents place their garbage at the curb no earlier than 5:00 PM the night before their scheduled collection days. All household refuse must be secured inside a standard trash can or a heavy-duty plastic bag. Cardboard boxes or paper grocery bags are strictly prohibited for garbage disposal, as they easily break and scatter litter across neighborhoods.
Mandatory Appointments for E-Waste and Appliances
You cannot simply discard an old television, computer, or refrigerator alongside your regular weekly trash in East Orange. The city requires residents to schedule an appointment for the collection of all tires, electronics, metal items, and large appliances (white goods). By calling 973-266-5337, you will be assigned a specific day to place these bulky items at the curb. For child safety reasons, all doors must be completely removed from refrigerators and freezers before they are left outside.
Strict Fall Leaf Collection Protocols
Managing autumn yard waste in East Orange requires a specific approach. Between the months of November and January, the city operates a dedicated leaf collection program divided by zones (North, Central, and South). Leaves must be packed tightly into biodegradable bags; raking loose leaves into the street or gutters is strictly prohibited as it clogs storm drains and causes localized flooding. Outside of this dedicated season, bagged leaves and general yard waste must be placed out as standard bulk trash.
The Midland Avenue Recycling Center
For residents who have excess recyclable materials or miss their weekly pickup, the East Orange Recycling Center provides a convenient drop-off alternative. Located at 133 Midland Avenue, the facility accepts excess cardboard, plastics, and paper. To stay up-to-date with the center's operating hours or to identify which materials are accepted, the city strongly encourages residents to download and use the free Recycle Coach app.
Zero Tolerance for Construction Debris
The municipal solid waste trucks serving East Orange are designed for household garbage, not heavy demolition materials. The Department of Public Works will not pick up dirt, stones, concrete, bricks, tree stumps, or logs under any circumstances. Homeowners undertaking renovations or significant landscaping projects must either hire a private roll-off dumpster service or independently transport their heavy debris to an authorized Essex County disposal facility.
Drop-off Facilities
East Orange Recycling Center
133 Midland Avenue, East Orange, NJ 07017
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I throw away a TV or an old refrigerator in East Orange?
You cannot leave electronics, televisions, computers, tires, or metal appliances on the curb with regular trash. You must call the Department of Public Works at 973-266-5337 to schedule an appointment. For safety, remember to remove the doors from any refrigerators or freezers before placing them outside.
When can I put my garbage out for collection?
East Orange provides twice-a-week garbage collection. You should place your trash at the curb no earlier than 5:00 PM the night before your scheduled collection days. Ensure the waste is in a can or a thick plastic bag, as paper bags and boxes are not permitted for garbage.
What is the rule for getting rid of autumn leaves?
From November through January, the city runs a strict leaf collection program. Leaves must be packed into biodegradable bags and placed curbside the night before your zone's collection day (North: Thurs/Fri, Central: Wed, South: Mon/Tue). Never rake loose leaves into the street. During the rest of the year, bagged leaves go out as bulk trash.
Will the city pick up dirt or concrete from a home project?
No. The East Orange Department of Public Works strictly prohibits the curbside placement of dirt, stones, concrete, bricks, tree stumps, and logs. You will need to hire a private contractor or rent a dumpster to dispose of heavy construction materials.