Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Piscataway
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.
Determined by private hauler Bin (Trash)
Trash collection is completely privatized. You must contact your specific subscription hauler for their exact bin size limitations and placement guidelines.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Township-issued 95-gallon ASL cart Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must fit entirely inside the 95-gallon ASL cart. Nothing placed outside or on top of the cart will be collected by MCIA trucks.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers
- ✓Mixed paper and cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
Yard Waste Bin
Leaves must be in biodegradable paper bags (available at DPW). Grass is not collected curbside and requires purchased coupons for drop-off at the Mini-Dump. Branches require an annual appointment.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves (in biodegradable bags)
- ✓Branches (by appointment)
- ✓Grass clippings (Mini-Dump only)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Twice (2) a year per household
Placement
Place items at the curb no sooner than the night before and no later than 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled appointment day (6:00 a.m. on summer Fridays).
Accepted
- ✓ Appliances (refrigerator/freezer doors removed)
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Carpeting
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tires of any kind
- ✕ Home improvement or contractor debris
- ✕ Dirt and rocks
- ✕ Hazardous waste
The two annual bulk pickups are free, but you must possess a valid Piscataway Township Service Card to schedule an appointment.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because standard household trash is collected by private companies, any holiday delays are entirely dependent on your individual hauler. Always check directly with your service provider.
Yard Waste Exception
The Piscataway Mini-Dump is automatically closed on any municipal holidays that happen to fall on its standard operating days (Tuesdays or Thursdays).
County-run MCIA recycling typically shifts collection by one day following major national holidays. Verify via the MCIA schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Excess Recycling Out
Never leave flattened cardboard boxes or extra recycling bins next to your 95-gallon ASL cart. The automated mechanical arms cannot grab loose items, and drivers will leave them behind.
Tires Are Strictly Banned
Do not attempt to put tires of any size or type in your curbside bulk waste pile or bring them to the Mini-Dump. They are strictly prohibited and must be disposed of through Middlesex County tire recycling programs or a private tire dealer.
Ditch the Plastic Leaf Bags
During the fall leaf collection season, leaves placed in standard plastic garbage bags will be rejected. You must use official biodegradable paper leaf bags, which you can claim for free using your Township Service Card.
Seasonal Information
Autumn
October to DecemberCurbside leaf bag collection runs strictly from October 16th to December 30th. Residents can claim two free bundles of biodegradable bags at DPW Yard Door #11 starting in mid-October.
Summer
July and AugustDue to high heat, DPW operates on early summer hours. If you schedule a bulk trash pickup on a Friday during July or August, all items must be at the curb by 6:00 a.m. instead of the usual 7:00 a.m. deadline.
Winter
October to DecemberThe Township suspends all curbside bulk trash appointments from the second week of October through the end of December so DPW crews can focus on leaf collection and winter snow removal preparations.
About Piscataway Waste Management
Navigating Piscataway's Private Trash Hauler System
Unlike many municipalities that provide universal curbside garbage pickup, Piscataway operates on a private subscription model for standard household trash. Homeowners must independently hire and retain a licensed private waste management company. Approved companies servicing the township include Grand Sanitation, Republic Services, RGB Disposal, Total Trash Removal, and Waste Management. This means your garbage collection day and specific bin rules are determined by the company you choose, not the Township.
The Mandatory Piscataway Service Card
To access municipal waste services beyond standard recycling, residents must obtain a Piscataway Township Service Card. This card serves as your official proof of residency. You must present it to access the Mini-Dump (Recycling & Trash Center), to receive your allotted free biodegradable leaf bags in the fall, and when calling the Department of Public Works to schedule your annual bulk and branch pickup appointments.
Single-Stream Recycling and the 95-Gallon ASL Cart
Curbside recycling in Piscataway is managed regionally by the Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA). The township has modernized its recycling efforts by transitioning to Automated Side Loader (ASL) trucks. Residents are issued specific 95-gallon ASL carts for all single-stream recyclables (paper, plastic, glass, and metal). Strict compliance is enforced: if an ASL cart has been delivered to your neighborhood, you must use it, and absolutely no recyclable materials left outside or adjacent to the cart will be collected.
Rules for the Mini-Dump (Recycling & Trash Center)
For items that cannot wait for a scheduled pickup, residents can utilize the Mini-Dump located at 505 Sidney Road. Access requires the Township Service Card, which is scanned upon entry. The facility is extremely strict about acceptable materials—contractor debris, hazardous waste, and standard wet kitchen garbage are prohibited. Additionally, grass clippings can only be disposed of here if you purchase grass coupon credits in advance from the DPW office at a rate of one dollar per 30-gallon bag.
Understanding the Bulk and Branch Appointment Limits
Piscataway's Department of Public Works offers curbside collection for large bulky items and yard branches, but it operates strictly by appointment. Each household is permitted exactly two bulk pickups and one branch pickup per calendar year. Appointments must be scheduled between the first week of January and the first week of October. Piles are limited to five cubic yards, and items cannot be placed at the curb earlier than the night before the scheduled pickup.
Drop-off Facilities
Piscataway Mini-Dump (Recycling & Trash Center)
505 Sidney Rd, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Piscataway Township pick up my regular household garbage?
No, Piscataway Township does not provide municipal garbage collection. Homeowners are required to set up a private subscription with a licensed trash hauler, such as Republic Services, Grand Sanitation, or Waste Management, to collect regular household refuse.
What is the Piscataway Township Service Card?
The Service Card is an official proof of residency required for homeowners to access municipal waste services. You must present this card to enter the Mini-Dump, claim free biodegradable leaf bags in the fall, and schedule your annual bulk or branch pickup appointments.
How do I schedule a bulk trash pickup in Piscataway?
Residents with a valid Service Card can schedule up to two bulk trash pickups per year between January and early October. Call the Division of Recycling and Solid Waste at (732) 562-2390 to book an appointment. Items cannot exceed 5 cubic yards in total volume.
How do I dispose of grass clippings in Piscataway?
Grass clippings are not collected at the curb. You must dispose of them at the Mini-Dump on Sidney Road. However, you must first purchase grass coupon credits at the DPW office for one dollar ($1.00) per 30-gallon bag before dropping them off.