Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Elmwood Park
Trash Day
Garbage is collected twice per week based on your section (typically Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday schedules).
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on designated zone days (Section 1 on Monday, Section 2 on Tuesday, Section 3 on Wednesday, and Section 4 on Thursday), alternating between commingled containers and paper/cardboard.
Yard Waste
Curbside yard waste is collected on your designated section recycling day during seasonal months, and residents can also drop off organic waste at the DPW Yard on Slater Drive.
Set Out Time
Place carts and containers at the curb after 6:00 PM the night before or by 6:00 AM on collection day.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash and recycling services are managed by the Elmwood Park Department of Public Works and funded through regular municipal property taxes rather than a separate utility fee.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes (Billed Quarterly)
Accepted Methods
Online, In-Person, Mail
Pro Tip / Discount
Eligible senior and disabled residents may qualify for New Jersey Property Tax Relief programs such as the Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement) and ANCHOR benefits.
Standard dark household trash container Bin (Trash)
Trash must be securely bagged or placed in sturdy, closed containers. It is strictly prohibited to mix designated recyclables (glass, aluminum, paper) with regular solid waste; mixed bins will be left uncollected.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household solid waste
- ✓Food refuse
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
Reusable container supplied by resident (often blue or yellow) Bin (Recycling)
Recycling must be placed at the curb no earlier than 6:00 PM the night before your scheduled collection. Newspapers and magazines must be tied in bundles weighing no more than 30 pounds, or placed neatly inside brown paper bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Corrugated cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Newspapers and magazines (bundled)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Window pane or plate glass
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Hazardous materials
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste must never be mixed with standard garbage. Branches should be securely tied in manageable bundles. Residents should refer to the Waste Watchers Handbook for the specific seasonal yard debris schedule.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Brush and limbs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Refer to the DPW guidelines or drop off directly at the DPW Yard.
Placement
If a curbside bulk pickup is arranged, items must be easily manageable by the collection crew. Hazardous materials must be taken to specialized Bergen County Utility Authority drop-off events.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture
- ✓ Scrap metal
- ✓ Electronic waste (at DPW Yard only)
- ✓ Mattresses (must be properly wrapped)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals
- ✕ Liquid paint
- ✕ Propane tanks
Contractor-generated waste and heavy construction debris are the explicit responsibility of the homeowner or hired contractor to remove privately; the DPW will not collect it.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When your regular collection day falls on a major borough-observed holiday, the pickup schedule is typically shifted. Residents should consult the 'Calendar At A Glance' in the Waste Watchers Handbook or check the Recycle Coach app for the exact makeup dates.
Yard Waste Exception
Routine yard waste pickups and special brush collections are often delayed or temporarily suspended during holiday weeks so crews can prioritize standard household garbage.
Always enable push notifications on the Recycle Coach app to receive real-time alerts regarding sudden holiday schedule changes or weather-related collection delays.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to MarchDuring heavy snowstorms, the DPW prioritizes plowing over 50 miles of borough streets. Keep all trash bins well behind the curb and never throw shoveled snow back into the roadway, an action which can result in a $150 municipal fine.
Spring/Summer
April to SeptemberAs lawn maintenance peaks, ensure your property's grass height does not exceed 10 inches to comply with local ordinances. Grass clippings and yard debris must be separated from household garbage and placed out solely on designated DPW yard waste days.
Fall
October to NovemberAutumn leaf collection is taken seriously in Elmwood Park. Leaves must be kept out of the general solid waste stream. Follow the DPW's designated leaf pickup instructions, which are detailed annually in the Waste Watchers Handbook.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Those Cans into Cash Right Here in Elmwood Park!
Hey Elmwood Park neighbors! Did you know you can get a little extra cash back for your aluminum cans and plastic bottles? While Elmwood Park itself might not have a dedicated local buyback center right in town, New Jersey has a great state program for bottle and can redemption. Just look for the 'NJ' on your bottles and cans, and you can redeem them at many grocery stores and redemption centers throughout the state. It's a super easy way to make a few bucks while keeping those items out of the landfill. Keep an eye out for any local scrap metal yards too – sometimes they'll take other metals along with your cans and bottles.
Give Your Unwanted Stuff a Second Life: Elmwood Park Edition
Before you toss those gently used items, think about giving them a new home right here in our community! For clothing, household goods, and even some furniture, the Goodwill Store & Donation Center in nearby Paramus is a fantastic spot to drop off your donations. They help fund job training programs, which is pretty neat. If you've got furniture or building materials, you might want to check out Habitat for Humanity ReStore, also often found in nearby towns. Donating is a win-win – it helps others and keeps good stuff out of the trash.
Keeping Elmwood Park Clean: Tackling Dumped Stuff Together
Nobody likes seeing trash piled up where it shouldn't be, right? If you ever spot illegal dumping happening or find a pile of junk that wasn't there before, it's super important to let the Elmwood Park Department of Public Works know. You can usually report it by calling them directly. They work hard to keep our streets and parks looking great. Plus, keep an ear out for any community clean-up days that pop up – pitching in with your neighbors is a great way to show pride in Elmwood Park and make it an even nicer place to live.
Drop-off Facilities
Elmwood Park DPW Yard
40 Slater Drive, Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should I put my garbage out in Elmwood Park?
Solid waste and recycling must be placed at the curb no earlier than 6:00 PM on the evening preceding your scheduled collection day, to prevent issues with weather and wildlife.
How do I know which collection section I live in?
The borough is divided into four zones. Section 1 is Monday, Section 2 is Tuesday, Section 3 is Wednesday, and Section 4 is Thursday. You can verify your exact street's section by downloading the Recycle Coach app or reviewing the DPW's Waste Watchers Handbook.
Can I put my recycling in plastic bags?
No. Plastic grocery bags and garbage bags are strictly prohibited for recycling. Newspapers and magazines must be tied in bundles (up to 30 lbs) or placed in brown paper bags, and commingled items like bottles and cans must be loose in a reusable container.
What do I do with old TVs, computers, or printers?
Electronic waste cannot be thrown in the regular curbside trash under New Jersey law. Elmwood Park residents must transport their e-waste directly to the DPW Yard at 40 Slater Drive, which is typically open on Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.