Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Montclair
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)
Use rigid containers up to 35 gallons in volume, weighing no more than 50 pounds. Households are limited to a maximum of 3 cans per collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Styrofoam (cups and packaging)
- ✓Standard non-recyclable refuse
- ✓Alkaline batteries
Resident-provided (Rigid plastic or metal) Bin (Recycling)
Commingled items must be placed loosely in a rigid container (no larger than 35 gallons) with handles. Keep commingled bottles and cans separate from mixed paper. Do not bag recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1, #2, and #5
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (clear, brown, green)
- ✓Tin and aluminum cans
- ✓Poly-laminated beverage cartons (milk & juice)
- ✓Mixed paper, cardboard, and magazines
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Plastic takeout containers and party trays
- ✕Electronic waste
Yard Waste Bin
Use only biodegradable paper yard bags (max 50 lbs) for leaves and grass. Branches must be tied in bundles under 36 inches long and 25 lbs (limit 2 bundles per collection).
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small branches and twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once a month (based on designated bulky waste section)
Placement
Place at the curb between 6:00 p.m. the day prior and 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled bulk day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Wrapped mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Carpeting
- ✓ Small non-metal household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Cardboard, Styrofoam, and plastic bags
- ✕ Electronics and computers
- ✕ Appliances containing CFCs (without pre-payment and appointment)
- ✕ Construction debris
Standard bulk item collection is free. However, appliances containing CFCs (such as refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners) require a $10 fee payable in advance at the Public Works Center.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Refuse and recycling collections are suspended on major public holidays. The township utilizes the Recycle Coach app to provide real-time schedule adjustments and delay notifications.
Yard Waste Exception
The Saturday Recycling and E-Waste Drop-Off center at the Public Works Yard is closed on holiday weekends.
Residents are highly encouraged to download the Recycle Coach app for instant push notifications regarding holiday delays or weather-related collection cancellations.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Wrap Your Mattresses
The Township of Montclair strictly requires all mattresses and box springs to be sealed in a plastic bag or zippered cover [1.1.3]. Unwrapped mattresses pose a bedbug hazard and will be rejected and left at the curb by collection crews.
Styrofoam is Now Trash
Due to the permanent closure of a long-standing regional recycling facility, Montclair can no longer accept Styrofoam in the recycling stream. All foam cups, blocks, and packaging materials must go into your regular garbage.
Keep Takeout Containers Out
Even if they are stamped with a #1, #2, or #5 on the bottom, all plastic food takeout containers and party trays are prohibited from the commingled recycling bin due to food contamination. Toss them in the trash.
Seasonal Information
Spring/Summer
May - Mid-OctoberGrass clippings are collected in paper yard waste bags (max 50 lbs) on your regularly scheduled recycling day. Remember that loose piles of branches or grass will not be collected.
Fall
Mid-October - DecemberLeaf collection season generally runs from mid-October through the end of December. Leaves must be enclosed in paper bags and placed at the curb, and can never be piled loosely into the street.
Winter
JanuaryChristmas trees are collected weekly throughout the entire month of January. All stands, tinsel, lights, and plastic tree bags must be completely removed so the trees can be successfully chipped into compost.
About Montclair Waste Management
Understanding Montclair's Municipal Refuse and Recycling
In Montclair Township, the Department of Community Services (DCS) provides direct municipal collection for residential garbage, recycling, and bulk waste [1.2.2]. Households are permitted to place up to three trash cans—each limited to 35 gallons and 50 pounds—at the curb. To ensure prompt service, all receptacles must be set out between 6:00 p.m. the night before and 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day.
Scheduling Bulk Waste and Appliance Pickups
Montclair residents can discard up to three bulk items (weighing no more than 50 pounds each) on their designated bulky waste day. However, household appliances, known as white goods, require a special appointment by calling the DCS. Note that appliances containing refrigerants, like air conditioners and refrigerators, incur a $10 CFC removal fee that must be paid in advance at the Public Works Center on North Fullerton Avenue before they can be collected.
The Weekly E-Waste and Recycling Drop-Off
Under New Jersey state regulations, electronic waste such as computers and televisions cannot be placed at the curb. Montclair makes compliance easy by operating a weekend drop-off center at the Community Services yard (219 North Fullerton Avenue). Every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., residents can securely drop off E-waste, as well as excess mixed paper and commingled recyclables.
Navigating Yard Waste and Leaf Season
The township collects yard waste—including grass clippings and leaves—on your regularly scheduled recycling day throughout the spring, summer, and fall. All vegetative waste must be placed exclusively in biodegradable paper yard bags, capped at 50 pounds each. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited and will be left at the curb. For brush and branches, tie them into bundles under 36 inches long and weighing less than 25 pounds.
Important Mattress and Styrofoam Rules
Montclair has recently updated its disposal policies to address health and environmental concerns. First, all mattresses and box springs must be fully encased in a zippered plastic mattress cover or sealed bag before being placed out for bulk collection to prevent bedbugs. Additionally, the local Styrofoam recycling program has been permanently suspended; all Styrofoam must now be thrown into the regular household garbage.
Drop-off Facilities
Montclair Public Works Recycling Drop-Off Center
219 North Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the trash can limits in Montclair?
Montclair allows a maximum of three (3) trash cans per household [1.1.3]. Each receptacle must be 35 gallons or smaller and weigh no more than 50 pounds when filled.
How do I throw away a refrigerator or air conditioner?
Appliances, especially those containing CFC refrigerants, require a special appointment. You must call the Department of Community Services at 973-509-5711 and pay a $10 fee in advance at 219 North Fullerton Avenue before placing the item at the curb.
Can I put my yard waste in plastic bags?
Absolutely not. Montclair strictly prohibits plastic bags for yard waste. All leaves, grass clippings, and vegetative waste must be placed in biodegradable paper yard bags weighing no more than 50 pounds.
Does Montclair recycle Styrofoam?
No. Montclair's Styrofoam recycling program has been permanently suspended due to the closure of the regional processing plant. All Styrofoam packaging, blocks, and cups must be thrown away with your regular household garbage.