Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Elmwood 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.
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
!Contamination Tips
Say No to Plastic Bags
Never enclose your recyclables in plastic grocery bags, and avoid using plastic bags to hold stacks of newspapers or magazines. Film plastics jam processing equipment. Keep all recyclables loose in your reusable container or bundle paper with twine.
Protect the Glass Stream
Elmwood Park's municipal guidelines urge residents to handle glass carefully. Always ensure glass bottles and jars are placed in a puncture-proof, reusable plastic or metal container, not a flimsy paper bag or cardboard box that could break and create a hazard.
Dry Out Liquid Paint
Liquid latex paint cannot be thrown in the trash. You must remove the lid and add a drying agent like kitty litter or sand until the paint hardens into a solid block. Only then can the can be placed in the regular garbage with the lid off.
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.
About Elmwood Park Waste Management
Navigating Elmwood Park's Four Collection Zones
The Elmwood Park Department of Public Works (DPW) systematically divides the borough into four distinct sections to streamline garbage and recycling pickups from Monday through Thursday. For instance, Section 1 encompasses the area west of Boulevard to River Drive, while Section 4 covers the Rosemont sector. Residents are encouraged to reference the borough's annual 'Waste Watchers Handbook' or utilize the local digital schedule to confirm their precise collection zone.
Mandatory Recycling and the Recycle Coach App
In alignment with Bergen County regulations, Elmwood Park rigorously enforces its recycling mandates. According to the municipal code, the DPW has the authority to reject household solid waste if it is contaminated with recyclable materials such as newspaper, aluminum, or glass. To simplify the sorting process and boost local sustainability, the borough partners with the Recycle Coach app, which provides residents with instant notifications regarding schedule shifts and a searchable database of what belongs in which bin.
E-Waste Disposal at the Slater Drive DPW Yard
Due to New Jersey state legislation, electronic waste—including old televisions, computer monitors, and printers—is strictly banned from curbside garbage collection. Elmwood Park residents have a convenient solution: they can securely dispose of their e-waste by bringing it directly to the DPW Yard located at 40 Slater Drive. This facility is typically open to municipal consumers on Saturday mornings from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Winter Waste Management and Snow Emergencies
During the snowy winter months, the DPW requires all residents to adhere to 'Smart Snow Management' protocols to ensure uninterrupted service. Garbage receptacles must never be placed in the roadway where they could obstruct the borough's snowplows. It is vital to pile snow behind the curb and position trash cans clearly and accessibly on the upper side of your driveway, allowing crews to empty them safely without causing roadside hazards.
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.