Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Newark
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 standard trash bin Bin (Trash)
Trash bags MUST be contained in a receptacle/bin with an attached, tight-fitting lid. Loose bags placed on the curb will NOT be collected. Set out between 7 PM and 10 PM the night before.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household refuse
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Soiled paper
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Any standard recycling bin (free bins available for homeowners at DPW HQ) Bin (Recycling)
Do NOT place recyclables in a plastic bag (City ordinance §15:12-7). Place items loose in the bin. Cardboard must be flattened and tied. Paper is collected one day, plastics/glass on another depending on your zone.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard (flattened and tied)
- ✓Paper
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers
- ✓Glass bottles
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Paper towels and napkins
- ✕Ink cartridges
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronic waste
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste is collected on the 3rd Wednesday of the month for Zone A and the 4th Wednesday for Zone B.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small twigs
- ✓Small tree branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once a month per zone (Zone A: 1st Wednesday, Zone B: 2nd Wednesday)
Placement
Place your permitted bulk items on the curb between 7 PM and 10 PM the night before your scheduled Wednesday collection.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches
- ✓ Tables and chairs
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Dressers and vanities
- ✓ Rugs
Not Accepted
- ✕ White goods and appliances (requires a separate appointment)
- ✕ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Hazardous materials
Bulk collection of up to 10 items is free. However, violating the limit or placing items out on the wrong day can result in municipal fines and penalties.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a major observed holiday falls on a scheduled collection day, trash and recycling services are typically suspended and pushed back to the next regularly scheduled collection day for that zone.
Yard Waste Exception
Wednesday yard waste and bulk collections may be rescheduled if a city-observed holiday falls in the middle of the week.
Residents are strongly advised to check the City of Newark's website or call 973-733-3644 to confirm holiday slide schedules, as they are subject to change by the DPW.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Loose Recyclables Only
It is against Newark City Ordinance §15:12-7 to place your recyclables inside plastic garbage bags. All bottles, cans, and paper must be placed loosely inside your designated recycling bin to ensure collection.
Tie Your Cardboard
Newark sanitation crews will not collect loose piles of cardboard boxes. All cardboard must be thoroughly flattened and tied securely together with twine before being placed on the curb on your designated paper recycling day.
Clean and Dry Containers
Before tossing glass jars or plastic food containers into your Thursday or Friday recycling load, ensure they are completely rinsed and dried. Lingering food residue contaminates the recycling stream and can attract neighborhood pests.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October to DecemberDuring the peak autumn months, Newark ramps up street sweeping and leaf collection. Residents should bag leaves or place them in appropriate containers for their zone's designated yard waste collection Wednesday, taking care not to rake leaves directly into the street or storm drains.
Winter
December to MarchIf a major snowstorm or blizzard strikes the region, the DPW may temporarily suspend trash and recycling pickups to repurpose sanitation vehicles for snow plowing and salting operations. Always monitor the City of Newark's official social media for emergency schedule shifts.
Spring
April to JuneSpring cleaning generates a surge in bulky waste. Keep in mind that you are strictly limited to 10 bulk items per household on your assigned bulk Wednesday. Plan your cleanouts accordingly or hire a private dumpster service for large renovations.
About Newark Waste Management
Navigating Newark's Zone A and Zone B Collection Schedule
The City of Newark organizes its residential waste collection by dividing the city into two distinct areas: Zone A and Zone B. If you live in Zone A, your standard household garbage is collected on Mondays and Thursdays. If your residence falls into Zone B, expect your trash collection on Tuesdays and Fridays. Regardless of your zone, the Department of Public Works strictly mandates that all trash must be placed in a tight-fitting, lidded container between 7 PM and 10 PM on the evening preceding your pickup day. Loose trash bags left directly on the curb will be heavily cited and ignored by sanitation crews.
Newark's Split-Day Recycling Protocol
Unlike municipalities that utilize single-stream recycling, Newark requires residents to separate their recyclables and put them out on completely different days. In Zone A, paper and flattened cardboard are collected on Mondays, while plastics, glass bottles, and cans are picked up on Thursdays. Zone B follows a similar split, with paper on Tuesdays and plastics/glass on Fridays. This strict separation helps the city reduce processing fees, minimize landfill waste, and comply closely with local environmental ordinances.
The 10-Item Limit on Bulk Collection Wednesdays
Disposing of bulky household items like mattresses, dressers, or old couches in Newark does not require an appointment, but it is strictly regulated by zone and volume. Zone A residents have their bulk collection on the first Wednesday of every month, while Zone B residents have theirs on the second Wednesday. A critical rule to remember is the 10-item limit: any household placing more than ten bulk items at the curb will have the excess rejected, and the owner will be responsible for hiring a private hauler at their own expense.
Mandatory Appointments for White Goods and Appliances
While standard bulky furniture is picked up automatically on your assigned Wednesday, 'white goods'—such as refrigerators, stoves, washing machines, and air conditioners—are an entirely different story. The City of Newark requires residents to explicitly schedule an appliance pickup by calling the DPW customer service line at (973) 733-3644. Discarding major appliances on a regular bulk day without an appointment can result in heavy municipal fines.
E-Waste Drop-Off at Frelinghuysen Avenue
It is illegal to place electronic waste like old televisions, laptops, and computer monitors on the curb for regular trash or bulk collection in Newark. To responsibly dispose of e-waste, residents must transport these items directly to the Newark DPW Headquarters located at 62 Frelinghuysen Avenue. The drop-off site provides a safe and eco-friendly way for citizens to clear out old electronics Monday through Saturday.
Drop-off Facilities
Newark DPW Headquarters (E-Waste & Recycling Bin Pickup)
62 Frelinghuysen Ave, Newark, NJ 07114
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should I put my garbage out in Newark, NJ?
All trash and recycling must be placed on the curb between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM the night before your scheduled collection day. Trash bags must be secured inside a lidded container; loose bags left on the curb will not be picked up.
How do I throw away an old refrigerator or air conditioner in Newark?
You cannot place major appliances (white goods) like refrigerators, stoves, or AC units on the curb for regular bulk pickup. You must call the Newark DPW at (973) 733-3644 to schedule a dedicated appliance collection appointment.
What is the maximum number of bulk items I can throw away?
The City of Newark strictly limits bulk waste disposal to ten (10) items per residence on your designated monthly bulk Wednesday (Zone A on the 1st Wednesday, Zone B on the 2nd). If you have more than ten items, you must hire a private hauler at your own expense.
Where can I recycle an old TV in Newark?
Televisions, computers, and other electronic waste cannot be left curbside. Residents must drop off their e-waste at the Newark DPW Headquarters, located at 62 Frelinghuysen Avenue, Monday through Saturday.