Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Fort Lee
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.
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
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Yard Waste
When bagging leaves and grass clippings for Monday pick-ups, you must use biodegradable paper lawn bags [2.1.1]. Interstate Waste Services and the DPW will refuse to collect any vegetative waste placed in plastic bags.
No Appliances in the E-Waste Bin
The electronics drop-off at the DPW on Jane Street is strictly for computers and small electronics. Never dump appliances, air conditioners, vacuums, or microwaves at this site. Violators caught dumping unauthorized items will be fined by the Borough.
Isolate Rechargeable Batteries
Never throw rechargeable batteries into your recycling or household trash, as they pose a severe fire hazard to collection trucks. Fort Lee provides a dedicated drop-off bin specifically for rechargeable batteries right next to the electronics container at the DPW.
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.
About Fort Lee Waste Management
Fort Lee's Partnership with Interstate Waste Services
The Borough of Fort Lee contracts its residential sanitation and curbside recycling collection to Interstate Waste Services (IWS). While the local Department of Public Works (DPW) oversees the program, handles specific drop-offs, and manages autumnal leaf collection, all routine curbside pickups—including single-stream recycling and household garbage—are operated directly by IWS. Residents are encouraged to use the Recycle Coach app for real-time notifications about route changes.
Managing Bulk Waste on Your Second Collection Day
Fort Lee utilizes a convenient twice-a-week garbage collection schedule for residential homes. To streamline bulk disposal without requiring separate appointments, the Borough designates your second weekly garbage day as your official 'bulk garbage day.' Residents may place a strict maximum of two bulk items, such as mattresses or pieces of furniture, at the curb alongside their standard household trash.
Scheduling Pickups for White Goods and Appliances
Large household appliances, commonly referred to as 'white goods,' are handled differently than standard bulk trash. If you need to dispose of a refrigerator, stove, washer, dryer, dishwasher, or hot water heater, you cannot simply leave it on the curb on your bulk day. Instead, residents must directly contact Interstate Waste Services at 1-866-342-5497 to schedule a specialized appliance pickup.
E-Waste and Battery Drop-off at Jane Street
New Jersey law bans electronic waste from landfills. Consequently, Fort Lee does not collect computers, televisions, or small electronics at the curb. Residents must transport these items to the DPW facility located at 530 Jane Street. Additionally, the facility hosts a specialized bin specifically for rechargeable batteries—standard alkaline batteries should go in regular household trash.
Navigating Seasonal Yard Debris and Leaf Collection
From April through October, Interstate Waste Services conducts curbside lawn debris collection every Monday. All yard waste must be placed in biodegradable paper lawn bags—plastic bags are strictly prohibited and will be left at the curb. During the fall season (October through December), the Fort Lee DPW takes over weekly leaf collection, requiring all leaves to be neatly bagged for efficient removal.
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.