Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Hillside
Trash Day
Trash is collected twice weekly by district: District 1 is collected on Mondays and Thursdays, and District 2 is collected on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Recycling
Curbside recycling is collected town-wide every Wednesday, alternating between paper/cardboard and commingled bottles/cans.
Yard Waste
Yard debris and bundled tree branches (under 4 feet long and 50 lbs) can be placed out on your second weekly trash day.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day (or placed out after 6:00 PM the evening before).
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential curbside trash and recycling services are provided by the township and funded through municipal property taxes, with no separate monthly trash utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
State of New Jersey Property Tax Relief Programs (such as ANCHOR and Senior Freeze) are available for eligible senior and low-income residents.
Any standard plastic or metal container Bin (Trash)
Place at curb after 6:00 PM the night before pickup. Lids must be closed. Bins must weigh 50 lbs or less and be removed from the curb by 7:00 PM on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Solidified latex paint (in open can)
Blue (District 1) or Yellow (District 2) recommended, or any standard bin Bin (Recycling)
Place curbside after 6:00 PM on Tuesday for Wednesday pickup. Cardboard and paper must be tied/bundled separately from commingled containers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic containers
- ✓Cardboard (tied or bundled)
- ✓Newspapers (tied or bundled)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
Yard Waste Bin
Vegetative waste must be in biodegradable paper bags and counts toward your 3-piece weekly bulk limit. Branches must be tied, max 4 feet long, max 10 inches in diameter, and under 50 lbs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Tree branches (tied and bundled)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly, on your second collection day (Thursday for District 1, Friday for District 2)
Placement
Place curbside after 6:00 PM the night before your second weekly pickup day.
Accepted
- ✓ Major household appliances
- ✓ Refrigerators (doors removed)
- ✓ Washers and dryers
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be sealed in plastic)
- ✓ Furniture
Not Accepted
- ✕ Computers
- ✕ Televisions
- ✕ Monitors
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paint
Included in municipal services. Mattresses and box springs require prior notification to the DPW at 973-926-1110 before placement.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
There is no solid waste or recycling collection on major observed holidays.
Yard Waste Exception
Vegetative waste collection is subject to the same holiday delays as regular garbage and bulk pick-ups.
Hillside encourages residents to download the free Recycle Coach app to receive instant notifications on schedule shifts and holiday collection reminders.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall
Late October to DecemberDuring the designated leaf collection season, residents can rake leaves into the street, leaving a 4-to-6-inch gap from the curb for drainage. Do not mix in stones, branches, or trash, or piles will be bypassed.
Winter
December to MarchIf snow is forecasted, do not shovel snow into the street or over your trash bins. Sidewalks must be cleared within 12 hours of the snowfall ending, and bins should be easily accessible for sanitation workers.
Spring/Summer
April to SeptemberAs yard work increases, remember that you can pick up free biodegradable leaf bags at the DPW. Filled bags can be placed curbside on your second trash collection day as part of your 3-piece bulk allowance.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Cans? Get Cash Back Right Here in Hillside!
While Hillside's regular recycling handles a lot, did you know you can turn some of those bottles and cans into actual cash? New Jersey has a great program for beverage containers. Just look for the 'CRV' or 'NJ' symbol on aluminum cans, glass bottles, and plastic bottles. While there aren't any massive redemption centers right in Hillside itself, places like the 'Bottle King' often have machines for redemption, and you can often find drop-off points at local grocery stores or dedicated recycling centers in neighboring towns like Elizabeth or Union. Keep an eye out for signs mentioning bottle and can returns – it's a nice little way to get a few extra bucks while doing good for the environment!
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Our Neighborhood
Instead of tossing perfectly good items, think about giving them a new home! Hillside residents have some great options for donating. The Salvation Army Family Store & Donation Center in nearby Elizabeth is always looking for clothes, furniture, and household goods. Also, check out the Goodwill Store in Union. These places help support local jobs and provide affordable items to families in our community. Sometimes, you might even find local churches or community centers collecting specific items, so it's always worth a quick call to see what they might need.
Keeping Hillside Sparkling: Report Dumping & Join the Cause!
We all want to keep Hillside looking its best, right? If you ever see any trash or bulky items illegally dumped, please report it right away to the Hillside Department of Public Works. They have a system in place to handle it, and your call helps keep our streets clean. Keep an eye out for local community clean-up events too – sometimes neighborhood associations or volunteer groups organize these. It’s a fantastic way to meet your neighbors and make a real difference in our town. A little effort goes a long way in making Hillside a cleaner and more enjoyable place for everyone.
Drop-off Facilities
Hillside Department of Public Works
274 Hillside Avenue, Hillside, NJ 07205
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
When is my bulk trash day in Hillside?
Bulk waste is collected every week on your second scheduled garbage day. If you live in District 1, your bulk day is Thursday. If you live in District 2, it is Friday. You are limited to three large items per week.
How do I dispose of a mattress or box spring?
To discard a mattress or box spring in Hillside, you must first seal it completely in plastic. Then, you need to call the DPW at 973-926-1110 before placing it at the curb for your bulk collection day.
What should I do with my old TV or computer?
Electronic waste, including televisions, computers, and monitors, is not accepted curbside. You must bring these items directly to the DPW facility at 274 Hillside Avenue between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM on weekdays. Always call ahead to ensure they have space available.
Do I need special bags for grass and leaves?
Yes, outside of the designated fall street-sweeping season, all vegetative waste must be placed in biodegradable paper bags, which are available for free at the Department of Public Works. You can put these bags out on your second collection day as part of your three-item bulk limit.