Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Nutley
Trash Day
Collected twice per week: Monday and Thursday for Zone 1 (west of Franklin Ave), and Tuesday and Friday for Zone 2 (Franklin Ave and east to River Rd)
Recycling
Collected weekly by zone: Zone 1 on Tuesdays, Zone 2 on Wednesdays, and Zone 3 on Thursdays
Yard Waste
Wednesdays from April through December
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day (no earlier than 5:00 PM the night before)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside trash and recycling services are provided by the Township and funded through municipal property taxes.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, In-Person, Drop Box
Township-authorized 95-gallon grey cart Bin (Trash)
Must use the official 95-gallon cart provided by the township. Lid must be closed properly. Do not place loose bags or overfill past safety margins.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable household waste
- ✓ bagged trash securely fitting inside the cart
Separate round, rectangular, or specialized recycling bins Bin (Recycling)
Sort commingled items and paper separately into appropriate containers. Place at the curb no earlier than 5:00 PM the night before and no later than 6:00 AM on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Commingled glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and metal food cans
- ✓Rigid plastics (#1, #2, #5)
- ✓Newspaper, corrugated cardboard, and mixed paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic shopping bags
- ✕Styrofoam and bubble wrap
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Window glass or ceramics
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in the designated green vegetation carts or brown biodegradable paper bags between April and December. Plastic bags or containers exceeding 50 pounds are strictly rejected.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Branches and twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Twice a month on Wednesdays (by reservation based on zone)
Placement
Place approved bulk items neatly at the curb the evening before your scheduled Wednesday collection date. All appliance doors must be removed beforehand.
Accepted
- ✓ Living room couches and furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be clean)
- ✓ Indoor wood furniture and desks
- ✓ Carpets cut, rolled, and tied in 4-foot lengths
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household garbage or standard trash bags
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris or building rubble
- ✕ Electronics and televisions
- ✕ Tires (require special DPW scheduling)
Standard residential bulk collection up to 5 items is covered under municipal services, but contractor-generated building waste is strictly prohibited.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When garbage collection falls on a major holiday, collection services typically resume on your next regularly scheduled collection day. Recycling collection is explicitly canceled on listed municipal and state holidays.
Yard Waste Exception
Vegetative and leaf collections are suspended during weeks featuring major public holidays and resume on the following normal operating cycle.
Always double-check the current digital calendar on the Nutley Recycle Coach app for sudden route adjustments caused by holiday backlogs.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall Leaf Collection
October - DecemberCurbside leaf pickup operates on Wednesdays. All leaves must be safely contained inside brown biodegradable paper bags or authorized vegetative bins; raking loose leaves directly into the street gutter is prohibited to protect stormwater systems.
Summer Operations
May - SeptemberThe Department of Public Works shifts to summer operational hours (7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday). Residents should ensure carts are tightly secured to control odors during high summer temperatures.
Winter Weather Adjustments
January - MarchSnow events can disrupt collection routes. Avoid placing carts directly on top of snow banks or in the street plow path; set them back behind the curb line so sanitation vehicles and snowplows can pass safely.
Local Tips & Community Info
Cash in Your Cans? Nutley's Got Options for Your Returnables!
Hey Nutley neighbors! While our regular recycling is super important, did you know you can actually get a few bucks back for certain bottles and cans? New Jersey has a statewide program, often called the 'Bottle Bill,' that applies to many beverage containers. Look for the NJ state deposit symbol on bottles and cans. You can usually return these to larger grocery stores or dedicated redemption centers. It's a great way to reduce waste and pocket a little extra cash for your efforts right here in the Garden State!
Giving Gently Used Goods a Second Life in Nutley
Got stuff that's still good but you don't need anymore? Instead of tossing it, think about donating! In our neck of the woods, you'll find places like the **Salvation Army Family Store & Donation Center in nearby Belleville** (just a quick drive away) that are always happy to accept clothing, household items, and furniture. Sometimes, local churches or community centers also have donation drives. It's a fantastic way to help others and keep perfectly usable items out of the landfill. Check their websites for what they accept and their drop-off hours.
Keeping Nutley Spick and Span: What to Do About Piles and Pests
Nobody likes seeing trash dumped where it shouldn't be. If you ever spot illegal dumping or have a concern about neighborhood cleanliness, it's best to report it directly to the **Nutley Department of Public Works**. They are the ones who can address these issues promptly. Sometimes, community clean-up events pop up, too, which are awesome opportunities to get involved and make our town shine. Keep an eye on the town's official website or local bulletin boards for announcements about those. Working together makes Nutley a better place for everyone.
Drop-off Facilities
Nutley Department of Public Works Yard
384 Passaic Avenue, Nutley, NJ 07110
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my own plastic garbage cans with Nutley's automated collection?
No. Nutley utilizes an automated 95-gallon cart system. Garbage must be placed inside the official township-issued grey carts, as non-authorized cans or loose bags will not be emptied by the trucks.
Why are there two different trucks picking up my recycling?
Nutley splits its recycling stream to optimize efficiency. Commingled containers (cans, glass, plastics) are collected by a private contractor (F. Basso, Jr.), while paper and cardboard are collected directly by the Township DPW using separate trucks.
Do I need to schedule a pickup for old furniture or couches?
Yes. Bulk trash collection requires you to complete an online Bulk Trash Scheduling Form by 10:00 AM the day before your designated zone's Wednesday collection date, with a limit of 5 items per pickup.
Where can I get extra recycling or vegetative bins in Nutley?
Residents can pick up free-of-charge recycling or vegetative bins (limited to one round, one rectangular, and one vegetative bin per household) directly at the Department of Public Works yard with proper identification.