Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Edison
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.
Township-supplied cart Bin (Trash)
Only township-supplied garbage containers are acceptable. Cans must not be obstructed. Place out prior to collection time.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household waste
Township-supplied cart Bin (Recycling)
Place at curbside prior to 6:00 A.M. Large corrugated cardboard must be placed NEXT to the container, not inside it.
Accepted Items
- ✓Newspapers
- ✓Magazines
- ✓Mixed paper
- ✓Food containers
- ✓Glass bottles/jars
- ✓Plastic containers
- ✓Aluminum cans
- ✓Tin cans
- ✓Bi-metal cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Household garbage
- ✕Large cardboard inside the bin
Yard Waste Bin
Branches must be tied with twine in piles no larger than 6Lx3Wx3H. Grass must be in biodegradable paper bags or a light open container (max 50 lbs). No plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Branches (up to 6 ft long, 5 inches diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand (appointment required)
Placement
Do not put special pick-up items out until you receive a confirmation number. Materials placed curbside without a confirmation will not be collected.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Washers
- ✓ Dryers
- ✓ Microwaves
- ✓ Electronics
- ✓ Wrapped mattresses
- ✓ Sealed box springs
- ✓ Metal items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction materials
- ✕ Vinyl/metal window frames
- ✕ Doors
- ✕ Fencing
- ✕ Carpeting
- ✕ Glass
- ✕ Unwrapped mattresses
- ✕ Paint
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Car batteries
- ✕ Textiles
A $75 fee applies if replacing a lost or stolen garbage can. Special bulk pickup fees may apply for certain items; contact DPW for details.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Holiday schedules for municipal garbage collection are explicitly noted on the township's monthly sanitation calendar. Collections may also be canceled or shifted due to severe weather.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste programs, including leaf and grass collections, may be paused during holiday weeks or major clean-up events.
Always check the official Edison Township website or sign up for Robo Calls for real-time emergency and holiday schedule adjustments.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Banish Plastic Bags from the Recycling Bin
Never place your recyclables inside plastic grocery or garbage bags. Edison requires items to be placed loosely in your bin, as plastic bags jam the single-stream sorting machinery.
Separate Corrugated Cardboard
If you live in a single-family home, place large or corrugated cardboard directly next to your recycling bin. Stuffing oversized cardboard inside the container will result in a rejected pickup.
Keep Yard Debris Pure
When setting out grass clippings during the spring and summer months, ensure they are not mixed with twigs, branches, stones, or leaves. Mixed yard waste will be left at the curb.
Seasonal Information
Spring/Summer
April to OctoberGrass clipping collection is in full swing for municipal garbage collection areas. Use biodegradable paper bags or a light 20-gallon open container weighing less than 50 pounds. No plastic bags are allowed.
Fall
November to DecemberFall leaf collection typically replaces standard yard waste pickup. Bulk item pick-ups are paused during the leaf collection program, so plan your clean-outs before or after this busy seasonal service.
Year-Round Weather Alerts
All YearIn the event of severe weather, such as heavy snowstorms or flooding, all curbside collection programs in Edison may be canceled or delayed. Always sign up for Edison Township Robo Calls for instant emergency alerts.
About Edison Waste Management
Comprehensive Trash & Recycling Services in Edison, NJ
Edison Township’s Department of Public Works ensures residents have access to reliable and efficient curbside waste management. Servicing tens of thousands of households across Middlesex County, the municipal hauler oversees regular garbage disposal, bi-weekly single-stream recycling, and seasonal yard waste collection. Staying updated with the 2026 town schedules is crucial, as the township is divided into 10 distinct recycling sections to streamline pick-up days efficiently.
Strict Garbage Receptacle and Bulk Waste Guidelines
When disposing of your household waste in Edison, you are required to use only the township-supplied garbage containers. Attempting to use cardboard boxes, plywood drums, or unauthorized bins will result in a missed pickup. The township enforces a strict policy against mixing building materials, stones, or ash with standard household waste. If you need to dispose of bulky items like appliances or wrapped mattresses, you cannot simply leave them on the curb; residents must schedule a special pick-up by contacting the Public Works office.
Bi-Weekly Single Stream Recycling Protocol
Navigating Edison’s single-stream recycling program is simple once you know your designated recycling section. All typical recyclables, including glass bottles, plastic containers, and mixed paper, can be commingled in your proper recycling bin. However, large corrugated cardboard must be placed directly next to your bin, rather than stuffed inside it, to guarantee pick-up for single-family homes. Remember that plastic bags are strictly forbidden in the recycling bins and will contaminate the load.
Taking Advantage of the Edison Recycling Drop-Off Center
For those who cannot wait for their scheduled collection or have larger loads, the Edison Township Recycling Center at 745 New Durham Road is a tremendous local resource. Open Monday through Saturday, the facility accepts everything from leaves and cut branches to electronics and sealed box springs. Be sure to arrive in a residential vehicle with proof of your Edison residency, as commercial vehicles and trailers are strictly barred from the drop-off site.
Understanding Seasonal Yard Waste Collection
Maintaining your property in Edison requires following specific seasonal yard debris rules. From April through October, the township collects grass clippings, provided they are placed in biodegradable paper bags or a lightweight open container. Leaves and branches have their own specific collection periods, and branches must be neatly tied in bundles no larger than six feet in length. Landscapers are prohibited from using the township's yard waste collection, ensuring the municipal services are reserved solely for residential homeowners.
Drop-off Facilities
Edison Township Recycling Center
745 New Durham Rd, Edison, NJ 08817
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispose of old furniture or large appliances in Edison, NJ?
You cannot place bulk items or large appliances on the curb during your regular garbage collection day. You must call the Edison Department of Public Works at 732-248-7288 to arrange a special pick-up. Do not put items outside until you receive a confirmation number.
Where can I drop off extra recycling or yard waste if I miss my collection day?
Edison residents can bring extra recyclables, yard waste, electronics, and wrapped mattresses to the Recycling Drop-Off Center at 745 New Durham Road. The facility is open Monday through Saturday from 6:30 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. You must bring proof of residency and arrive in a non-commercial vehicle.
What are the rules for throwing away cardboard boxes?
For single-family homes, large or corrugated cardboard should not be stuffed into your recycling bin or broken down. Instead, place it directly next to your recyclable container. If cardboard is jammed inside your container, your recycling will not be picked up.
How should I bag my grass clippings for curbside pickup?
From April to October, place grass clippings in biodegradable paper bags or a lightweight 20-gallon open container weighing no more than 50 pounds. Grass clippings placed in plastic bags will not be collected, and landscapers are prohibited from using this municipal service.