Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Fort Lee
Trash Day
Trash is collected twice per week according to your designated neighborhood schedule: Monday & Thursday, Tuesday & Friday, or Wednesday & Saturday. Bulk items (limit 2) are collected on your second trash day of the week.
Recycling
Curbside recycling is collected on designated zone days; check the annual DPW recycling schedule or Recycle Coach app for your specific street pickup day.
Yard Waste
Lawn debris is collected every Monday from April through October. Curbside leaf collection runs weekly from October through December.
Set Out Time
By 5:00 AM on collection day (or curbside the evening prior)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash and recycling collection is provided by the Borough via contract with Interstate Waste Services and is funded through municipal property taxes.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes (Quarterly property tax billing)
Accepted Methods
Online (e-Check, Credit Card), Mail, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior citizen, disabled person, and veteran property tax deduction programs are available through the Tax Collector's office under New Jersey state tax relief guidelines.
Resident-provided Bin (Trash)
Trash must be securely bagged or placed in tightly lidded containers and put out according to your designated neighborhood collection days.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Standard alkaline batteries
Resident-provided Bin (Recycling)
Fort Lee utilizes a single-stream 'fully commingled' recycling program. All accepted recyclables can be mixed in the same container. Cardboard must be clean and flattened.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (clear, brown, green)
- ✓Aluminum, tin, and steel cans
- ✓Type 1 and Type 2 plastic bottles/containers
- ✓Mixed paper and magazines
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and newspapers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
- ✕Rechargeable batteries
- ✕Food-soiled cardboard (e.g., greasy pizza boxes)
Yard Waste Bin
Branches must be tied into bundles smaller than 4 feet in length. All loose yard waste must be placed in paper lawn bags. Plastic bags are not accepted.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small branches and twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly, on your designated second garbage collection day
Placement
Bulk items should be placed at the curb alongside your standard household trash on your second scheduled pickup day for the week. Apartment building rules may differ.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Box springs
- ✓ Large household items (non-metal)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions and computers (E-waste)
- ✕ White goods and appliances (requires an appointment)
- ✕ Hazardous materials and wet paint
- ✕ Construction debris
Standard bulk collection (up to 2 items) is included in municipal services. Apartment complex residents should check with their management for potential private hauling fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Holiday collection schedules may vary or shift pick-ups by one day. Residents should confirm specific holiday impacts by contacting Interstate Waste Services or checking the Recycle Coach app.
Yard Waste Exception
Monday yard waste collections that fall on a major holiday are typically delayed. Check with the DPW for the adjusted schedule.
Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) hazardous waste collection events operate on specific weekends and are not impacted by municipal holidays.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring/Summer
April - OctoberInterstate Waste Services collects general lawn debris every Monday [2.1.1]. Ensure all branches are tied into bundles under 4 feet long, and use only paper bags for grass and clippings.
Fall
October - DecemberThe Fort Lee DPW manages a specialized weekly leaf collection program. Residents are strongly encouraged to bag their leaves (in paper bags only) and leave them at the curb for efficient pick-up.
Winter
Late December - Mid-FebruaryLive Christmas trees are collected at the curb. Trees must be completely free of plastic bags, stands, lights, and all decorations prior to being placed outside.
Local Tips & Community Info
Pocket Some Cash Back for Your Bottles & Cans in Fort Lee!
Hey neighbors! Did you know you can actually get money back for some of those recyclables? While Fort Lee itself doesn't have a local buyback center, New Jersey has a statewide bottle deposit program. Just look for the 'CRV' (California Redemption Value, oddly enough!) on your plastic, glass, and metal beverage containers. You can redeem them at most grocery stores that sell these beverages. For bigger metal items like old appliances or scrap metal, check out places like Metalico in nearby Jersey City. They're usually happy to take your unwanted metal off your hands and might even pay you for it!
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a New Life Around Fort Lee
Before tossing items that are still in good shape, think about giving them a second chance! For clothing, toys, and household goods, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern New Jersey Thrift Store in Palisades Park is a great spot to donate. They're always looking for items that can help support their youth mentoring programs. Another excellent option is the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Hackensack. They accept furniture, building materials, and home decor – perfect for anyone looking to declutter while helping out a good cause.
Keeping Our Streets Clean: Fort Lee's Got Your Back!
Tired of seeing unwanted junk pile up on our streets? It’s super important to report any illegal dumping you see. You can call the Fort Lee Department of Public Works at 201-592-5757 to report it. They're the ones who handle it. Also, keep an eye out for community clean-up events – often organized by local groups or the town itself. These are fantastic ways to pitch in and make Fort Lee even more beautiful. If you have electronics or hazardous waste, don't just toss them! Look for special collection days announced by the town; these are set up to handle those tricky items safely.
Drop-off Facilities
Fort Lee Department of Public Works (DPW)
530 Jane Street, Fort Lee, NJ 07024
Materials Accepted
Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) HHW Events
Rotating locations (Paramus, Mahwah, Moonachie)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I throw away bulk items in Fort Lee?
Bulk items can be thrown away once a week on your second scheduled garbage pick-up day [2.1.1]. You are strictly limited to a maximum of two bulk items (such as a mattress or a piece of furniture) per week.
How do I dispose of a refrigerator or washing machine?
Large appliances (white goods) are not collected with regular bulk trash. You must call the Borough's sanitation contractor, Interstate Waste Services (IWS), at 1-866-342-5497 to schedule a special pick-up.
Where can I recycle my old TV and laptop?
Electronic waste cannot be put on the curb. Residents must bring computers, laptops, televisions, and small electronics to the Fort Lee DPW facility at 530 Jane Street. Note that appliances and microwaves are not accepted there.
Can I use plastic bags for my lawn clippings?
No. From April through October, Interstate Waste Services collects lawn debris every Monday, but it must be placed in biodegradable paper lawn bags. Plastic bags are forbidden and will not be collected.