Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Mahwah
Trash Day
Curbside trash is collected twice per week depending on zone: Monday & Thursday (West of Franklin Turnpike), Tuesday & Friday (East of Franklin Turnpike), or Wednesday & Saturday (Fardale, Rio Vista, Darlington Ave, and surrounding areas).
Recycling
Curbside recycling is collected once per week by section: Section 1 on Wednesday, Section 2 on Thursday, Section 3 on Monday, Section 4 on Tuesday, and Section 5 on Friday.
Yard Waste
Seasonal curbside pickup: bagged grass clippings in brown paper lawn bags are collected from April through mid-October, and loose leaves are collected curbside from late October through early December. Brush and firewood must be dropped off at the Recycling Center.
Set Out Time
No earlier than 6:00 PM the evening prior and by 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential solid waste and recycling pickup services are covered through municipal property taxes, while municipal water and sewer utilities are billed separately on a quarterly basis.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Direct Withdrawal (Auto-Pay), Mail, Drop Box, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
A 25% discount on the minimum water charge is available for eligible senior citizens and permanently disabled residents.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Cans? Turn Your Bottles into Bucks in the Mahwah Area!
While Mahwah itself doesn't have a specific bottle buyback center listed right in town, New Jersey has a great state program for redeeming your empty beverage containers. Don't toss those cans and bottles! Look for redemption centers in nearby towns or grocery stores that offer the state's Bottle Bill. It’s a simple way to get a few extra bucks back for items you'd normally discard. For larger metal items or appliances you're getting rid of, consider checking out local scrap yards. A quick search for "scrap metal recycling Bergen County" should point you to places that might pay for your old metal goods, keeping them out of the landfill and your wallet a little heavier.
Give Your Goods a Second Life: Mahwah Donation Spots to Explore
Before you toss out perfectly good items, think about giving them a new home! While there isn't a giant Goodwill right in Mahwah, the surrounding Bergen County area has some wonderful options. You can often donate clothing, household goods, and even furniture to places like the Salvation Army or search for local thrift stores that support community causes. Sometimes, churches or community centers in nearby towns accept donations too. It feels good knowing your unwanted items can help someone else in our community.
Keeping Mahwah Clean: Tackling Illegal Dumping & Community Cleanups
If you ever spot someone dumping trash illegally in Mahwah, it's important to report it. The township likely has a system for this, often through the Department of Public Works or local law enforcement. Keeping our streets and natural areas clean is a group effort! While specific large-scale community clean-up events might not be scheduled every month, keep an eye on the Mahwah Township official website or local social media groups for announcements. Sometimes, neighborhood associations organize smaller cleanups, which are fantastic ways to get involved and make our town shine.
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.