Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Mahwah
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 placed curbside no earlier than 6 PM on the day prior to collection and containers removed within 12 hours of pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Up to 3 bulk items (on second collection day)
Resident-provided Bin (Recycling)
Containers must not exceed 40 gallons. Do not use plastic bags. Paper/cardboard must be tied in bundles under 30 lbs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1-#5 and #7
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Tin and aluminum cans
- ✓String-tied cardboard
- ✓String-tied newspaper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Hardcover books
- ✕Mirrors
- ✕Light bulbs
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste must be containerized or piled loose no closer than 10 feet from storm drains. Never bag leaves in plastic.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Tree branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (on the second trash pickup day of the week)
Placement
Place up to three bulk items alongside your regular trash strictly on your second scheduled pickup day of the week.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large household items
- ✓ Non-refrigerant appliances (metal items)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Propane tanks
- ✕ Computers and TVs
There is no additional fee for standard bulk items (up to 3). Appliance pickups (refrigerators, AC units) require advance scheduling but are handled at no charge by the DPW.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled pick-up falls on a listed holiday, your garbage will be collected on the following day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste schedules may vary slightly during holiday weeks; check the DPW calendar for exact leaf and brush collection dates.
Suburban Disposal does not operate on these major six holidays. Regular service resumes the day after.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Ditch the Plastic Bags
Never bag your recyclables. Items placed in plastic grocery or garbage bags will be rejected at the curb because they jam the sorting machinery at the Bergen County processing facilities.
Bundle Your Paper Products
Unlike commingled plastics and cans, Mahwah requires residents to tie newspapers, magazines, and flattened cardboard with string. Loose paper can blow into the streets and pollute local storm drains.
Rinse Out Food Containers
A quick rinse goes a long way. Make sure glass jars, tin cans, and plastic beverage bottles are free of food residue before tossing them in the recycling bin to prevent pest issues and contamination.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October - DecemberDuring the autumn leaf collection season, rake leaves into piles at the curb, but never into the roadway. Keep all piles at least 10 feet away from storm drains to prevent localized flooding.
Winter
JanuaryChristmas trees are collected curbside typically from the first week of January through the end of the month. Remove all lights, tinsel, and ornaments before placing the tree outside.
Summer
May - SeptemberStrict summer water conservation rules apply: odd-numbered homes water on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays; even-numbered homes water on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
About Mahwah Waste Management
Twice-Weekly Curbside Garbage Collection in Mahwah
Residents of Mahwah benefit from twice-a-week garbage collection throughout the entire year, managed in partnership with Suburban Disposal. Your specific pickup days depend on your location relative to the Franklin Turnpike. Receptacles must be placed at the curb no earlier than 6:00 PM the evening before your collection day and must be removed within 12 hours after being emptied to maintain neighborhood aesthetics.
Understanding Mahwah's Commingled Recycling System
Mahwah utilizes a commingled recycling system for glass, plastics (codes 1-5 and 7), tin, and aluminum cans. These items can all share a single receptacle up to 40 gallons in size. However, paper products like newspapers, magazines, and cardboard are handled differently. They must be folded or cut, securely bundled with string in stacks under 30 pounds, and placed outside rather than tossed loosely into the main recycling bin.
Navigating Bulk Trash and Appliance Disposal
If you are cleaning out the garage or replacing old furniture, you can place up to three bulk items out for collection on your second garbage pickup day of the week. Note that construction materials are explicitly banned from curbside pickup. For white goods and appliances containing refrigerant, you must schedule an appointment with the DPW; collections for these items occur specifically on the fourth Thursday of every month.
Yard Waste and Stormwater Regulations
To protect local waterways and prevent illicit stormwater discharge, Mahwah strictly regulates yard waste. Uncontainerized leaves, grass clippings, and tree branches cannot be placed in the street more than seven days before a scheduled collection and must remain at least ten feet away from any storm drain inlet. Leaf bags are prohibited at the curb; you must leave them piled loose or keep them containerized.
Drop-off Facilities
Mahwah Recycling Center
142 N Railroad Ave, Mahwah, NJ 07430
Materials Accepted
Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA)
Multiple sites (Paramus, Mahwah, Moonachie)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of an old refrigerator or air conditioner in Mahwah?
Appliances containing refrigerants are picked up on the 4th Thursday of each month. You must arrange this in advance by calling the Mahwah DPW at 201-529-3344.
What should I do with electronic waste like old TVs and computers?
Electronic appliances are banned from regular trash. You must bring them directly to the electronic recycling container at the Mahwah Recycling Center located on North Railroad Avenue.
Can I leave my garbage cans at the curb all week?
No. Mahwah Ordinance 1193 mandates that receptacles cannot be placed at the curb earlier than 6:00 PM the night before collection and must be removed within 12 hours after being emptied.
Are there limits to how much bulk trash I can throw away?
Yes, residents are limited to a maximum of 3 bulk items per week, and they must be placed out on your second scheduled collection day of the week. Construction debris is entirely prohibited from curbside collection.