Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Palisades Park
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.
Standard dark-colored resident-owned container Bin (Trash)
All trash must be placed in a proper container. Small, loose bags are strictly prohibited at the curb. Receptacles must not be placed out before 5:30 PM on the night prior to collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household solid waste
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and wrappers
Clearly marked recycling pail (resident-owned) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be rinsed clean and placed loosely in the recycling pail. Cardboard must be flattened. No plastic bags or wrapping are permitted under any circumstances.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (rinsed)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers
- ✓Newspapers and magazines
- ✓Condensed cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic garbage bags
- ✕Plastic wrapping or film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Window glass or mirrors
Yard Waste Bin
Branches must be tied and placed at the curb on Bulk Trash Day or by calling the DPW. Logs and stumps are not permitted. Leaves have specific seasonal rules based on the street location.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Tied branches (3 feet or less, max 2 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Designated Bulk Trash Days (check annual DPW calendar) or by appointment for specific items.
Placement
Items must be placed at the curb after 5:30 PM the night before the scheduled Bulk Trash Day. For white goods, refrigerator doors must be completely removed prior to placement.
Accepted
- ✓ Standard household furniture
- ✓ Tied branches (max 3 feet long, 2 inches diameter)
- ✓ White goods and electronics (by appointment only)
- ✓ Metal items (by appointment only)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction materials (bathtubs, sinks, toilets)
- ✕ Logs and tree stumps
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Tires
Bulk collection is generally included in municipal services, but items like water heaters require obtaining a valid proof of permit from the Building Department before the DPW will collect them.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Collections are typically suspended on major holidays. Residents should refer to the annual Borough Garbage/Recycling calendar for specific makeup dates when a holiday interrupts the standard Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday schedules.
Yard Waste Exception
The Borough explicitly suspends all curbside leaf collection operations during the entire week of Thanksgiving.
Always ensure bins are brought back in promptly if a collection is delayed due to a holiday or severe weather event.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
No Small Loose Bags at the Curb
The DPW strictly forbids residents from placing small, loose grocery bags or garbage bags directly on the ground for trash collection. All household waste must be secured inside a proper garbage can to prevent littering and animal scavenging.
The Plastic Bag Recycling Ban
Never place your co-mingled glass, plastic, and aluminum recyclables inside a plastic garbage bag or grocery sack. Plastic film and wrapping are explicitly prohibited in the Borough's recycling containers and will cause your bin to be rejected.
No Construction Fixtures
Do not leave heavy household fixtures like bathtubs, sinks, or toilets on the curb expecting the DPW to pick them up. These are classified as construction materials and are not permitted for municipal collection.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October to DecemberCurbside leaf collection runs from mid-October to mid-December on your alternate side parking day. Place loose leaves in the street, away from storm drains, no more than 2 days prior to sweeping. Note that there is absolutely no leaf collection during the week of Thanksgiving.
Winter
December to MarchDuring snowstorms, do not shovel or plow snow into the roadway. All walkways must be shoveled within 12 hours after the snow ends. Corner properties are mandated to shovel a clear pathway to the street.
Spring/Summer
April to SeptemberAs vegetation grows rapidly, homeowners must trim any shrubs and trees that interfere with sidewalks or traffic. Tree branches must be kept at a clearance height of 8 feet above sidewalks and 13 feet above the roadway.
About Palisades Park Waste Management
Navigating Palisades Park Garbage Collection Zones
The Borough of Palisades Park divides its residential waste collection into two primary geographic zones to streamline operations. The North Side encompasses the area north of Brinkerhoff Avenue up to Oakdene Avenue, while the South Side covers Brinkerhoff Avenue south to Harriet Avenue. Each zone receives regular household garbage collection twice a week via the Borough's contracted hauler. To maintain clean streetscapes, the Department of Public Works strictly prohibits placing small, loose garbage bags directly on the curb; all waste must be placed securely inside proper receptacles.
Rules for White Goods and E-Waste Appointments
Disposing of large metal appliances (white goods), televisions, computers, and other electronic items requires direct coordination with the DPW. These items are strictly collected by appointment only, Monday through Friday. Residents must call the DPW office between 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM to secure a pickup slot. For safety and compliance reasons, all refrigerator and freezer doors must be completely removed before placing the unit outside, and water heaters will only be collected if accompanied by a valid permit from the Building Department.
Curbside Leaf Collection and Landscaper Regulations
During the autumn months, Palisades Park implements a structured curbside leaf collection program that aligns with alternate side parking and street sweeping days. Residents must rake loose leaves into the street, keeping them clear of all storm drains. However, there are significant exceptions: certain designated streets must pack leaves strictly into brown biodegradable paper bags and call the DPW for pickup. Furthermore, if a homeowner hires a commercial landscaper, the Borough will not collect the resulting debris; the landscaping company is legally obligated to haul away all leaves and hard debris.
Strict Recycling Protocols and Commingled Guidelines
Palisades Park mandates that all standard recyclables—including plastics, glass bottles, aluminum cans, newspapers, and magazines—be co-mingled in a dedicated recycling pail. Corrugated cardboard must be broken down and condensed before being placed at the curb. The Borough enforces a strict ban on plastic bags in the recycling stream; recyclables must be rinsed, cleaned out, and placed loosely in the container. Bins should be set out after 5:30 PM on the evening prior to your scheduled Wednesday collection.
Handling Construction Materials and Property Maintenance
Homeowners undertaking DIY renovations must manage their own debris. Construction materials, including heavy fixtures like bathtubs, sinks, toilets, and structural wood, are not permitted at the curb for municipal collection. Residents must hire a private dumpster service or haul these items independently. Additionally, property owners are required to maintain all lawns, shrubs, and trees, ensuring that branches overhanging sidewalks are trimmed to a height of at least 8 feet, and 13 feet above roadways, to prevent visual impairments and hazards.
Drop-off Facilities
Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) Hazardous Waste Events
Various locations across Bergen County (Check bcua.org)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should I put my garbage out in Palisades Park?
All trash and recycling must be placed at the curb after 5:30 PM on the evening prior to your scheduled collection day. Ensure all waste is inside proper containers; small, loose bags are not permitted on the curb.
How do I dispose of an old refrigerator or television?
White goods, appliances, televisions, and electronics are picked up by the DPW by appointment only. You must call 201-585-4133 between 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday, to schedule a pickup. Remember that all refrigerator doors must be removed before placing the unit outside.
Will the borough pick up yard waste left by my landscaper?
No. According to Borough regulations, if you utilize a commercial landscaper, they are legally required to remove all leaves and hard yard debris from your property. The DPW will not collect debris generated by commercial contractors.
Are there special rules for leaf collection on specific streets?
Yes. While most of the borough places loose leaves in the street on alternate side parking days, residents on specific streets (such as Pembroke Way, Bergen Blvd, Broad Ave, and others listed in the DPW calendar) MUST bag their leaves in brown paper bags and contact the DPW to schedule a pickup.