Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lodi
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 color Bin (Trash)
Containers (metal or plastic) must not exceed 64 gallons or 50 lbs. Limit of 3 garbage containers or bags per family, per collection day. Place at the curb after 6:00 PM the night before collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable wrappers
Any color (must be clearly marked) Bin (Recycling)
Do NOT use plastic bags. Paper/cardboard must be flattened and tied. Plastics, glass, and cans must be emptied, rinsed, and placed in rigid containers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Newspapers
- ✓Glossy mail
- ✓Brown paper bags
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Plastic containers
- ✓Glass bottles
- ✓Metal cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Plastic film
- ✕Propane tanks
- ✕Hazardous waste
- ✕Dirt or concrete
Yard Waste Bin
Place in brown paper bags or rigid containers. No plastic bags. Collected town-wide only on Wednesdays from April 1st to December 30th.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Tree trimmings
- ✓Bundled branches (max 3 ft long, 4 inches diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
With regular garbage collection
Placement
Place acceptable non-metal bulk items at the curb with regular household garbage after 6:00 PM the night before collection.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Couches
- ✓ Carpets and rugs (cut into 3ft lengths and tied)
- ✓ Non-metal furniture (chairs, desks, tables)
- ✓ Sinks and toilets
- ✓ Backyard play equipment
Not Accepted
- ✕ Whole-house or apartment cleanouts
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Dirt, stones, brick, or concrete
- ✕ More than 2 bulk items per day
Standard bulk items (up to 2) have no extra fee. Metal items and white goods (appliances) require a special free appointment; call DPW at 973-365-4068 to schedule.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a scheduled collection falls on one of the six major holidays, curbside collection is canceled and will resume on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste is typically canceled if a major holiday falls on a Wednesday.
The DPW Recycling Center is closed on all major and minor municipal holidays, including Good Friday, Juneteenth, and Veterans Day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Bin
Lodi's hauler will not collect recycling if it is mixed with or contained inside any plastic film, grocery bags, or shrink wrap. Use rigid containers only.
Wrap Your Mattress
If you are placing a mattress or box spring curbside as one of your two allowed bulk items, health regulations require it to be completely wrapped in plastic.
Bundle Your Branches Properly
Yard waste will be left behind on Wednesdays if branches are too large. They must be tied into bundles no longer than 3 feet and no thicker than 4 inches in diameter.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October to DecemberFree leaf bags are typically available for Lodi residents at Borough Hall (Room 103) and the DPW Recycling Center from early October through early December, with a limit of 10 bags per household.
Winter
December to MarchIn the event of snow or severe inclement weather, Lodi may cancel collection via Smart911/Rave alerts. If canceled, do not leave items at the curb; wait until the evening before your next scheduled collection day.
Spring/Summer
April to SeptemberCurbside vegetative waste collection resumes town-wide on Wednesdays starting April 1st. Ensure you are never mixing grass clippings or leaves with your regular recyclables.
About Lodi Waste Management
Complete Guide to Lodi, NJ Trash and Recycling Services
Managing household waste in the Borough of Lodi is straightforward once you understand the two-zone system. Zone 1 residents have their garbage collected on Mondays and Thursdays, while Zone 2 properties see collections on Tuesdays and Fridays. To keep the streets clean, the Lodi DPW mandates a limit of three 64-gallon bins per family, per collection day. Cans should not exceed 50 pounds and must be placed neatly at the curb no earlier than 6:00 PM the night before pickup.
Town-Wide Wednesday Recycling and Yard Waste Collections
Wednesdays in Lodi are strictly reserved for recycling and yard waste. Instead of mixing materials, the town uses an alternating schedule for curbside recycling. Additionally, from April 1st through December 30th, Wednesdays double as the dedicated day for vegetative waste. Residents can place grass clippings, leaves, and tree trimmings in brown paper bags or rigid containers, keeping them strictly separated from regular household recyclables.
Navigating Lodi's Bulky Waste and White Goods Appointments
If you're upgrading your home and need to toss an old couch or mattress, you don't have to wait for a special cleanup week. Lodi allows residents to place up to two bulky items at the curb alongside regular trash. However, there is a strict divide between standard bulk and metal items. For any metal objects, appliances, or 'white goods' like refrigerators and washing machines, you cannot simply leave them at the curb; you must call the Lodi DPW to schedule an appointment.
Strict Plastic Bag Ban for Recyclables
Following New Jersey's stringent environmental guidelines, Lodi's contracted hauler enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy for plastic bags in the recycling stream. Any glass, cans, or paper mixed with plastic grocery bags, shrink wrap, or cellophane will be tagged with a violation notice and left at the curb. Always use rigid, clearly marked containers to ensure a smooth pickup.
The 20 Richmond Street DPW Recycling Center
For times when you miss a curbside pickup or have specific materials like rechargeable batteries, flattened cardboard, or clothing, the Lodi DPW Recycling Center is an excellent local resource. Located at 20 Richmond Street, the yard operates on a unique schedule: it is open Tuesday through Thursday mornings from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, and Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Drop-off Facilities
Lodi DPW Recycling Center
20 Richmond Street, DPW Yard, Lodi, NJ 07644
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How many trash bags or bins can I put out in Lodi, NJ?
Each family residing in a home is limited to 3 garbage containers or bags per collection day. For example, a two-family home can put out a maximum of 6 containers. Bins cannot exceed 64 gallons in size or 50 lbs in weight.
Do I need an appointment for bulk trash pickup in Lodi?
For standard non-metal bulky items, like a couch or a wrapped mattress, you do not need an appointment. You can simply place up to two items at the curb on your regular trash day. However, for metal items and white goods (like refrigerators or stoves), you must schedule an appointment by calling the DPW at 973-365-4068.
When does Lodi collect leaves and grass clippings?
Vegetative yard waste, including leaves, grass clippings, and bundled branches, is collected town-wide on Wednesdays from April 1st through December 30th.
What happens to my Lodi trash pickup if it snows?
During severe inclement weather, the Borough of Lodi may cancel garbage or recycling collection. If this happens, do not leave your bins at the curb. Collection will simply resume on your next regularly scheduled pickup day.