Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Passaic
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 resident-provided bin Bin (Trash)
Use tightly sealed standard garbage receptacles or sturdy bags. Trash is collected by Cali Carting Inc. Ensure your waste is at the curb prior to the morning of your scheduled route to avoid missed pickups.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Labeled recycling bin Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected by Gaeta Recycling. Keep materials loose; do not bag them. Do not mix electronics in with your standard paper, plastics, or glass.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles
- ✓Plastic containers
- ✓Cardboard
- ✓Paper containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Construction debris
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Leaves and grass must go in biodegradable paper bags and are picked up on your assigned recycling day. Branches must be tied, bundled, and scheduled via phone for a Friday pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Bundled branches (under 4 feet)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your regular trash day
Placement
Place up to two allowed items at the curb on your regular scheduled garbage day. For White Goods (appliances) and tires, you MUST call 973-365-5654 to schedule a separate pickup.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Box springs (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Home furniture (cloth items must be wrapped)
- ✓ Dressers
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (bricks, sheetrock, wood)
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Automotive parts (except up to 4 rimless tires by appointment)
The first 4 tires per year are free; additional tires cost $3 each, payable at the Public Works Office before collection.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The City of Passaic frequently maintains regular collection schedules even on minor holidays (such as Lincoln's Birthday, President's Day, and Good Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Because branch pickups are specifically scheduled for Fridays, a Friday holiday may require shifting your appointment to the following week.
Because collection continues on many municipal holidays, Passaic strongly encourages all residents to download the free Recycle Coach app to receive exact, address-specific calendar reminders.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Do Not Bag Leaves in Plastic
Leaves and grass clippings placed in standard plastic garbage bags will absolutely not be collected. You must purchase and use biodegradable paper leaf bags to ensure they can be properly composted.
Keep Electronics Out of Recycling Bins
Do not attempt to mix small electronics, like toasters or speakers, into your standard recycling bins with cardboard and plastic. E-waste is collected separately on your designated street cleaning day.
Wrap All Soft Furniture
Placing a bare mattress or cloth sofa on the curb is considered a sanitary hazard in Passaic. If it is not fully encased in protective plastic wrap, the collection crew will reject it.
Seasonal Information
Spring & Summer
March - AugustAs yard work increases, residents are reminded that they can dispose of up to four (4) rimless tires per household per year for free by calling the DPW. Any tires beyond four incur a $3 fee.
Fall
October - DecemberDuring peak leaf-fall season, leaves must still be strictly bagged in biodegradable paper bags and put out on regular recycling days. Raking loose leaves directly into the street blocks sweepers and clogs storm drains.
Winter
December - FebruaryDuring major winter storms, trash and recycling schedules may be temporarily paused. The city advises all residents to utilize the Recycle Coach app for real-time snow delays and route adjustments.
About Passaic Waste Management
Navigating Passaic's Dual-Contractor Waste System
The City of Passaic utilizes a bifurcated solid waste system to optimize community cleanliness. As of May 2025, regular residential trash is exclusively handled by Cali Carting Inc., while curbside recycling operations are contracted out to Gaeta Recycling. If residents encounter issues with missed garbage, they should contact Cali Carting directly at 201-991-5400. For recycling-specific inquiries or missed bins, Gaeta Recycling can be reached at 973-278-6625, though general questions can always go through the Passaic Department of Public Works.
Strict Two-Item Bulk Limit and the Plastic Wrap Mandate
Passaic allows residents to dispose of bulk items on their regular weekly garbage days, providing great convenience. However, there is a strict limit: you may only put out exactly two (2) bulk items per pickup. Furthermore, to protect sanitation workers from pests such as bedbugs, the city mandates that all cloth-covered furniture—including mattresses, box springs, and sofas—must be entirely wrapped and sealed in plastic. If a mattress is left unsealed on the curb, Cali Carting will refuse to collect it.
Electronic Waste Tied to Street Cleaning Schedules
Passaic employs a unique schedule for discarding electronic waste (e-waste). Rather than requiring a special DPW appointment or trip to a recycling center, residents can simply place covered electronic devices like televisions, monitors, radios, toasters, and microwaves at the curb on their designated Street Cleaning Day. It is essential that these electronics are kept separate from standard cardboard and bottles so they can be processed appropriately.
Split Schedules for Leaves and Brush
Managing yard waste in Passaic requires knowing the difference between soft vegetative waste and woody brush. Leaves and grass clippings must be packed into biodegradable paper bags (never plastic) and placed curbside on your assigned recycling day. In contrast, tree branches and brush require a different protocol: they must be tied in bundles no longer than four feet, and you must call the DPW at 973-365-5654 to schedule a specific Friday collection.
Zero Tolerance for Home Renovation Debris
If you are remodeling your home in Passaic, you must handle the waste independently. The DPW and contracted haulers strictly prohibit the curbside disposal of construction and demolition debris. Items such as bricks, cement blocks, ceiling tiles, drywall, 2x4s, wood flooring, and mirrors will be left on the curb. Homeowners are completely responsible for hiring a private dumpster service or hauling these heavy materials to a certified disposal facility.
Drop-off Facilities
Passaic County Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Events
Various locations across Passaic County
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I throw away a mattress or couch in Passaic?
You can throw away a mattress or couch on your regular garbage day. However, you are limited to two bulk items per pickup, and state health rules mandate that all mattresses, box springs, and cloth-covered furniture be completely wrapped and sealed in plastic. Unwrapped items will not be collected.
Who do I call if my trash or recycling isn't picked up?
For regular garbage, contact Cali Carting Inc. at 201-991-5400. For recycling issues, contact Gaeta Recycling at 973-278-6625. For general inquiries or to schedule yard waste and appliance pickups, call the Passaic DPW at 973-365-5654.
What is the rule for getting rid of branches and leaves?
Leaves and grass clippings must go in biodegradable paper bags (no plastic) and are collected on your standard recycling day. Tree branches and brush must be tied in bundles no longer than four feet, and you must call the DPW to schedule a Friday pickup.
Can I throw away bricks, tiles, or wood from a home remodel?
No. The City of Passaic prohibits the curbside collection of construction debris. This includes bricks, cement blocks, floor and ceiling tiles, sheetrock, studs, and wood flooring. You must dispose of these items yourself by hiring a private hauler or bringing them to a transfer station.