Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Jersey City
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.
Any standard tight-fitting trash container Bin (Trash)
Trash must be placed in secure heavy-duty bags or lidded manual containers and set at the curb strictly between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM the evening before pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household refuse
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Soiled or greasy paper
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Any designated recycling container (Separate bins required for Category 1 and Category 2) Bin (Recycling)
Must use the dual-stream system. Category 1 (commingled glass/plastic/cans) and Category 2 (paper/cardboard) must be in separate unbagged containers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics (bottles and jugs)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and mixed paper
- ✓Flattened corrugated cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic garbage bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Plastics marked 3, 4, 6, and 7
- ✕Aluminum foil
- ✕Coffee cups or milk cartons with plastic coatings
- ✕Electronic waste
Yard Waste Bin
Leaves must be placed in provided biodegradable brown bags. Tree branches under 4 feet require scheduling a Wednesday pickup with the Forestry Dept at 201-547-4449.
Accepted Items
- ✓Autumn leaves
- ✓Small tree parts (under 4 feet)
- ✓Untreated wood (at drop-off)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Up to twice a week on your regular scheduled garbage days
Placement
Place approved bulk items at the curb between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM the night before your scheduled collection day, ensuring they don't block sidewalks.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses (MUST be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Couches
- ✓ Tables and chairs
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tires (must be taken to the DPW drop-off)
- ✕ Electronics and E-waste (requires separate E-waste appointment)
- ✕ Hazardous waste (chemicals, wet paint)
- ✕ Large construction and demolition debris
Bulk collection of up to four items per day is a free service included in standard residential waste pickup. Tires taken to the drop-off center are free for the first four, followed by a small per-tire fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Unlike many municipalities, Jersey City generally maintains regular residential trash and recycling collections on ALL holidays unless a specific suspension is announced.
Yard Waste Exception
Specialized pickups, such as bulk electronics or forestry branch appointments, may not be available on major federal holidays.
Always double-check the official Recycle Coach app or contact the JCDPW to confirm if severe weather or a rare holiday suspension impacts your specific neighborhood's route.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Check Your Plastic Numbers
Jersey City explicitly does not recycle plastics marked with numbers 3, 4, 6, or 7. Stick strictly to standard plastic water bottles, milk jugs, and detergent containers to avoid contaminating the processing equipment.
The Greasy Pizza Box Rule
While clean cardboard belongs in your Category 2 paper bin, pizza boxes soaked in heavy grease and melted cheese are considered household trash. Tear off and recycle only the clean, unsoiled top half if possible.
Ban the Plastic Bag
Never package your dual-stream recyclables into plastic garbage bags. Soft films, grocery bags, and plastic wrappers frequently jam the recycling facility's sorting machinery, causing dangerous and costly delays.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October to DecemberThe city conducts an intensive autumn leaf collection program and provides free biodegradable brown paper bags to residents. Never rake leaves directly into the street or put them in plastic bags, as they will be left at the curb.
Winter
JanuaryPost-holiday Christmas tree collection takes place citywide every Thursday throughout January. Trees must be placed at the curb on Wednesday evenings between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM, completely stripped of all lights, ornaments, and plastic wrapping.
Spring/Summer
April to SeptemberDuring busy spring cleaning and summer renovation months, remember that construction debris and large tree trunks over 4 feet cannot be left curbside. They must be self-hauled directly to the DPW drop-off center on Linden Avenue.
About Jersey City Waste Management
Mastering the Dual-Stream Recycling System
Unlike municipalities that use single-stream bins, Jersey City strictly enforces a dual-stream recycling system. Residents must separate their materials into two distinct categories: Category 1 is reserved for commingled plastics, glass jars, and metal cans, while Category 2 is strictly for paper and flattened cardboard. Mixing these streams or tossing them into the same bin will contaminate the load and may result in the JCDPW rejecting your pickup at the curb.
Twice-a-Week Garbage Collection by Zone
To manage waste in a dense urban environment, Jersey City is divided into specific collection zones like Hudson City, Downtown, and Bergen/Greenville. Each neighborhood receives robust twice-a-week trash collection, assigned as either Monday/Thursday, Tuesday/Friday, or Wednesday/Saturday. All household refuse and neatly separated recycling must be placed curbside between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM the night before your scheduled collection day to ensure early morning crews don't miss it.
Effortless Bulk Waste Removal
Disposing of heavy household items like couches, old tables, and bulky furniture is highly convenient for Jersey City homeowners. The city allows you to place up to four bulk items out on your regularly scheduled garbage day. However, there is a catch: you are required to call the DPW at 201-547-4400 beforehand to officially schedule the removal, and any mattresses must be completely sealed in a plastic encasement to protect sanitation workers.
The Linden Avenue East Drop-Off Center
For hazardous or restricted items that absolutely do not belong in your weekly curbside pickup, the DPW operates a dedicated drop-off facility at 13-15 Linden Avenue East. Open on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, this local environmental center is the go-to destination for Jersey City residents needing to safely dispose of old car tires, motor oil, antifreeze, and large pieces of untreated wood.
Drop-off Facilities
Jersey City DPW Drop-off Center
13-15 Linden Avenue East, Jersey City, NJ 07305
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bulk items can I throw away in Jersey City?
Residents are permitted to dispose of up to four bulk items, such as a couch or table, on their regular garbage collection day. However, you must first call the JCDPW at 201-547-4400 to schedule the pickup, and any mattresses must be wrapped in plastic.
Does Jersey City pick up garbage on federal holidays?
Yes, Jersey City is highly unique in that the Department of Public Works generally collects recycling and trash on all holidays. Any rare exceptions or weather-related suspensions will be announced via the Recycle Coach app.
How does the dual-stream recycling system work?
Jersey City mandates that recyclables be separated into two distinct bins. Category 1 is for all plastics, glass, and cans. Category 2 is exclusively for paper items and cardboard, which must be bundled or placed in a separate container.
Where can I safely dispose of old TVs and electronics?
Electronics, also known as e-waste (like computers, TVs, and speakers), as well as white goods (refrigerators and AC units), require a special scheduled collection. You must call the DPW at 201-547-4400 between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM to arrange a dedicated pickup.