Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Perth Amboy
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 Carts / Resident-Provided Bin (Trash)
Trash must be securely bagged inside your bin. Do not use garbage cans to reserve shoveled parking spaces on public roads during winter weather.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and wrappers
Standard Blue Bin Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recyclables. All items must be placed loose in the recycling container to prevent jamming the sorting facility's equipment.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean office paper and newspaper
- ✓Corrugated cardboard
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass jars and bottles
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam packing materials
- ✕Packing peanuts
- ✕Food-soiled cardboard
- ✕Electronic waste
Yard Waste Bin
Leaf bags are for leaves only—no dirt, grass, or garbage mixed in. Leaves raked into the street will result in a municipal summons.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves (in biodegradable bags only)
- ✓Branches and twigs (bundled)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By Appointment Only ($30 Fee)
Placement
Place items curbside only after securing and paying for your appointment. Do not block sidewalks or the street.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Large household goods
- ✓ Metal appliances (requires a separate, free appointment)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition materials (drywall, tiles, wood fences)
- ✕ Dirt in bags
- ✕ Grass clippings
- ✕ Asphalt and concrete
- ✕ Roofing shingles
A $30 fee applies per bulk appointment. Payments can be made online via credit/debit or e-check, or in person via check/money order. Cash is not accepted.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Trash and recycling collections are suspended on major holidays. Schedules typically shift forward by one day for the remainder of the holiday week.
Yard Waste Exception
The DPW Garage residential dumping facility on Fayette Street is closed on all observed city holidays, as well as on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Always monitor the Perth Amboy municipal website or city alerts for specific weather-related collection cancellations, especially during severe winter storms.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Twigs Out of Your Leaf Bags
Perth Amboy requires that biodegradable leaf bags contain absolutely nothing but leaves. If you mix in twigs, grass clippings, or dirt, the DPW will reject the bag and leave it at your curb.
Zero Tolerance for Construction Debris
Do not attempt to sneak drywall, roofing shingles, asphalt, or tiles into your regular trash or bring them to the DPW Garage. The city strictly bans all remodeling and construction materials from its facilities.
Never Use Plastic Bags for Yard Waste
If you bag your seasonal leaves or yard debris in plastic garbage bags, they will not be collected by the city. You must transfer them into official biodegradable paper leaf bags.
Seasonal Information
Autumn
October - NovemberWeekly leaf collection begins in late October. Residents must rake leaves up to the curb edge, but never directly into the street. Blocking storm drains with leaves will result in a city summons.
Winter
December - MarchDuring snow events, it is strictly illegal to use your trash cans or chairs to reserve shoveled parking spaces on public roads. Always shovel snow onto your lawn, not into the street.
Spring/Summer
April - SeptemberWith active landscaping season underway, remember that grass clippings and dirt in bags are strictly not accepted at the DPW Garage drop-off. You must practice cut-and-leave mulching or hire a private landscaper.
About Perth Amboy Waste Management
Perth Amboy's Municipal Solid Waste Guidelines
The City of Perth Amboy Department of Public Works (DPW) manages the daily sanitation needs for this historic waterfront community. Operating out of the Fayette Street facility, the DPW strictly enforces curbside collection regulations to keep neighborhood streets and storm drains clear. Understanding the distinction between what goes in your curbside bin versus what must be driven to the municipal drop-off is key to avoiding rejected pickups.
Strict Regulations for the DPW Residential Drop-Off
Residents looking to dispose of excess waste can utilize the DPW Garage at 599 Fayette Street, but the city imposes very specific access rules. Dumping is permitted only one day a week per resident or address, with a maximum of two trips allowed on that designated day. Furthermore, all bagged items are subject to open inspection by DPW staff to ensure no prohibited materials enter the facility.
Navigating the $30 Curbside Bulk Pickup System
Unlike towns that offer free neighborhood bulk sweeps, Perth Amboy requires residents to schedule and pay for curbside bulk waste collection. The fee is a flat $30 per appointment. Residents can conveniently pay online via e-check or credit card, or pay in person at the DPW office using a check or money order—cash is strictly not accepted. Note that metal pickups are handled separately and can be scheduled at no charge.
Exclusions for Privately Managed Communities
A unique aspect of Perth Amboy's waste management policy is the exclusion of privately managed residential complexes from municipal bulk collection. If you reside in developments such as Harbortown, Harbor Terrace, Hidden Village, or Green Village, the city will not service your bulk items. Instead, you must coordinate directly with your HOA or property management for large item disposal.
Mandatory Biodegradable Bags for Autumn Leaves
Perth Amboy enforces a strict leaf collection protocol during the fall season. Leaves must be packed exclusively in biodegradable paper bags. If leaves are placed in plastic garbage bags, DPW crews will entirely bypass them. Furthermore, the city heavily penalizes residents who blow or rake leaves directly into the street, as this practice clogs vital storm drains and impedes municipal street sweepers.
Drop-off Facilities
Perth Amboy DPW Garage
599 Fayette Street, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pay for a bulk trash pickup in Perth Amboy?
Curbside bulk pickup appointments cost $30. You can pay online using a credit/debit card or free e-check. Alternatively, you can pay in person at the DPW office on Fayette Street using a check or money order. Cash is strictly not accepted.
Can I drop off my old bathroom tiles or drywall at the DPW Garage?
No. The Perth Amboy DPW Garage strictly prohibits all construction and remodeling materials, including tiles, drywall (sheetrock), flooring, roofing shingles, dirt in bags, and concrete. You must hire a private dumper or take these to a county facility.
What are the rules for residential dumping at the DPW Garage?
Residents are allowed to use the dumping facility at 599 Fayette Street one day per week, with a maximum of two trips on that single day. The same vehicle or address cannot be shared among multiple individuals for dumping, and all bagged items will be inspected.
Are residents of Harbortown or Green Village eligible for city bulk waste pickup?
No. Privately managed residential communities in Perth Amboy, including Harbortown, Harbor Terrace, Hidden Village, and Green Village, do not receive municipal bulk pickup services. Residents must coordinate bulk disposal directly with their property management.