Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Morristown
Trash Day
Trash is collected twice per week based on zone: Mondays and Thursdays for the South Zone, and Tuesdays and Fridays for the North Zone (bulk items are picked up on your second weekly collection day).
Recycling
Curbside recycling is collected on Wednesdays.
Yard Waste
Curbside brush is collected every other month on scheduled dates, with dedicated curbside leaf vacuuming in the fall and resident drop-off available at the Lake Road Recycling Center.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day (materials may be set out no earlier than 5:00 PM the evening before).
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside trash and recycling pickup are funded through your general municipal property taxes, while sewer charges are billed separately and water is serviced by the Southeast Morris County MUA.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly for Property Taxes / Semi-Annually for Sewer
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, Drop Box, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Property tax deductions and reduced sewer rates are available for qualifying low-income senior citizens (age 65+) and disabled residents under New Jersey state law.
Resident's own standard container (10 to 32 gallons) Bin (Trash)
Use only a metal or plastic container (10 to 32 gallons) with a tight-fitting lid and handles/wheels. Trash cannot be placed out before 5:00 PM on the day prior to collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household solid waste
- ✓Food debris
- ✓Non-recyclable wrappers and plastics
Clearly marked recycling container Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is mandatory. Materials should be rinsed clean, and corrugated cardboard must be flattened. Recyclables must be kept loose in the bin, never in plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles #1 and #2
- ✓Corrugated cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Newspaper and mixed paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic shopping bags
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Electronic waste (E-waste)
- ✕Styrofoam (peanuts, coolers)
- ✕PVC pipe and window glass
Yard Waste Bin
Vegetative waste is collected curbside during designated times. The town will absolutely not collect branches or shrubbery cut by commercial landscapers or tree service contractors.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Residential brush and twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once a week on your second scheduled garbage pickup day.
Placement
Place accepted non-metal bulk items alongside your regular trash strictly on the second collection day of the week. Carpet must be cut to 4 feet, rolled, and tied securely.
Accepted
- ✓ Non-metal furniture (sofas, wooden dressers)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Carpet (cut into 4-foot-wide sections, rolled, and tied)
- ✓ Wood
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Hazardous materials and liquid paint
- ✕ E-waste (computers, TVs)
- ✕ Commercial landscaping debris
Standard non-metal bulk is collected for free. However, large metal appliances require a $5.00 sticker, and vehicle tires require a $2.00 sticker, which must be purchased from the Tax Office at Town Hall.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a major holiday falls on a scheduled day, there is no garbage, recycling, or leaf collection. All collections will immediately resume on the day following the holiday.
Yard Waste Exception
Leaf and vegetative waste collections are entirely suspended on observed holidays and shift to the following collection day.
Because operations resume the very next day, residents are instructed to leave their garbage bins at the curb on the evening of the holiday so they are ready for the morning pickup.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall
October to DecemberThe town conducts specialized seasonal leaf collections. Residents must ensure leaves are properly prepared according to the DPW schedule and kept completely free of rocks, branches, and trash, which can destroy the vacuum equipment.
Winter
December to MarchDuring significant snow accumulations, collection times may be delayed. Keep all bins easily accessible and off the snowbanks, and do not place containers in the street where they will interfere with municipal snowplows.
Spring/Summer
April to SeptemberKeep lids tightly secured on all garbage cans during the warmer months to deter wildlife and pests. A secure lid also prevents rainwater from accumulating and making the bins dangerously overweight for the haulers.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Those Cans and Bottles into Cash in Morristown?
While New Jersey doesn't have a statewide bottle redemption program for all beverage containers, keep an eye out for local scrap metal yards or specialized recycling centers in the wider Morris County area. Sometimes, larger recyclers might offer cash for bulk amounts of specific metals like aluminum or copper. If you've got a good amount of scrap, it's worth a call to places like Morris County Scrap Metal Recycling in Parsippany to see if they'll take it off your hands for a few bucks.
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Morristown
Instead of tossing items that are still perfectly good, think about donating them! The Morristown area has a few spots that would love your contributions. The Salvation Army Family Store & Donation Center on Route 10 is a popular choice for clothes, furniture, and household goods. You might also check with Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson, as they often have programs that benefit from donations. Giving your items a new home helps others and keeps them out of the landfill.
Keeping Morristown Tidy: Tackling Bulk Trash and Big Cleanups
While your regular schedule handles most things, if you've got a truly massive item or need to get rid of something unusual, the City of Morristown does offer special collections, so double-check the specifics for your zone and type of item on the official city website. For those who want to pitch in beyond their own curbside, keep an eye on local community boards and the town's social media for announcements about neighborhood clean-up days. If you happen to see illegal dumping, which unfortunately can happen anywhere, it's a good idea to report it to the Morristown Department of Public Works so they can address it swiftly.
Drop-off Facilities
Morristown Municipal Recycling Depot
90 Lake Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
When is my bulk trash pickup day in Morristown?
Bulky items like mattresses, wooden dressers, and rolled carpeting are collected every week on your second scheduled garbage pickup day [6.1.3]. Simply place the accepted item at the curb alongside your regular household trash.
How do I dispose of a refrigerator, stove, or washing machine?
Large metal appliances are not included in the standard free bulk pickup. You must purchase a $5.00 appliance sticker from the Tax Office located inside Town Hall and place it visibly on the item before putting it at the curb.
Can I throw my old television in the garbage?
No. New Jersey state law mandates that all electronic waste must be properly recycled. TVs, monitors, printers, and laptops are strictly banned from curbside garbage pickup and must be driven to the Morristown Municipal Recycling Depot on Lake Road.
Will the town pick up branches and brush cut by my landscaper?
No. While the Morristown DPW does collect residential vegetative waste, it explicitly prohibits the collection of tree trimmings and brush generated by commercial landscapers or tree service contractors. Contractors are legally responsible for hauling away the debris they create.