Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Plainfield
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.
City-issued Cart (Colors vary by property type) Bin (Trash)
Must be placed in the designated PSWSU cart. Do not overfill the cart; the lid must close to prevent litter and deter pests.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
City-issued Cart (Typically Blue) Bin (Recycling)
Collection is bi-weekly. All recyclables must be placed loose inside the designated cart. Cardboard should be flattened to maximize space.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
- ✕Food-soiled cardboard
Yard Waste Bin
Leaves must be in biodegradable paper bags (no plastic). Brush must be tied, max 4 feet in length, and weigh less than 50 lbs per bundle.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small brush and twigs
- ✓Tree parts (tied and bundled)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two (2) standard bulk pick-ups per calendar year
Placement
Do not place items at the curb until you have a confirmed appointment date from PSWSU.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Appliances (freon removed/doors off)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be plastic-wrapped)
- ✓ Carpeting (cut and rolled)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions and electronics
- ✕ Hazardous waste and paint
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Tires
Two pickups are included for property owners. On-demand urgent pickups or additional loads are subject to municipal fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a major holiday interrupts your regularly scheduled collection, PSWSU will not return the next day. Instead, they will collect your waste on your NEXT regularly scheduled pickup day.
Yard Waste Exception
During holiday weeks, the PERC Transfer Station may also alter its operating hours or close entirely. Always call ahead before attempting a drop-off.
To accommodate the missed holiday pickup, residents in the affected zone are permitted to place up to one extra cart's worth of household waste at the curb on their makeup collection day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Electronics Out of Bulk Piles
Never place old TVs, monitors, or printers at the curb with your bulk garbage. Electronic waste is banned from landfills in New Jersey and must be dropped off directly at the PERC Transfer Station.
Ditch the Plastic Yard Bags
If you rake your leaves or grass into standard black plastic garbage bags, PSWSU will refuse to collect them, and you may face a citation. Only use approved biodegradable brown paper bags.
Hazardous Materials Require Special Handling
Wet latex paint, motor oil, pool chemicals, and pesticides cannot go into your PSWSU trash cart. You must take these items to specialized Union County Household Hazardous Waste drop-off events.
Seasonal Information
Winter
JanuaryDuring the month of January, PSWSU conducts dedicated holiday tree collections. Trees must be completely bare with no lights, ornaments, or plastic tree bags attached. Artificial trees are not accepted.
Spring & Summer
April to OctoberThe standard curbside collection for bundled brush, branches, and yard waste is active. Ensure all brush is tied in bundles under 4 feet, with a maximum of 8 bundles per scheduled pickup.
Autumn
November to DecemberFrom November 1st through December 31st, yard waste collections transition to 'leaves only.' No heavy brush or branches will be collected during this period to prioritize the high volume of falling leaves.
About Plainfield Waste Management
Navigating Plainfield's Utility Collection Services
The City of Plainfield operates its own waste management through the Plainfield Solid Waste & Sewer Utility (PSWSU), previously known as PMUA. Under this municipal service, single-family through nine-family residential properties benefit from a robust collection schedule. Standard household garbage is picked up twice a week, while single-stream recycling is collected on a bi-weekly basis. Residents are provided with specific utility carts, which must be utilized to maintain neighborhood cleanliness and comply with automated collection standards.
Strict Regulations for Bulk Waste and No-Contact Mattresses
Plainfield property owners are entitled to two standard bulk waste collections per calendar year, which must be scheduled by appointment. However, you cannot simply leave items on the curb. A second pickup can only be requested after a 90-day waiting period from the first. Furthermore, PSWSU enforces a strict 'No-Contact Mattress Disposal' policy for the health and safety of their staff. Any mattress or box spring placed at the curb must be completely sealed in heavy-duty plastic, or it will be left behind.
Leveraging the PERC Transfer Station on Rock Avenue
For residents who miss their collection day or have excess materials, the Plainfield Environmental Resource Center (PERC) on Rock Avenue acts as a critical local asset. Plainfield property owners can drop off electronic waste (like old televisions and computers) free of charge, with a strict limit of two items per person per day. The facility also accepts bulky waste and vegetative debris, though disposal fees applied by the ton may be required for certain non-recyclable loads.
Yard Waste, Brush, and the Biodegradable Bag Mandate
PSWSU provides dedicated curbside collections for yard waste and brush from April through October. To participate, residents must bundle tree parts tightly—keeping them under 4 feet long and under 50 pounds, with a maximum of 8 bundles per pickup. All leaves and yard debris must be placed exclusively in biodegradable paper bags. Using standard plastic garbage bags for yard waste is considered an illegal put-out and will result in a citation from the City Code Enforcement Officer.
Drop-off Facilities
Plainfield Environmental Resource Center (PERC) Transfer Station
95 Rock Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a bulk waste pickup in Plainfield, NJ?
Plainfield property owners are entitled to two bulk pickups per calendar year. You must call PSWSU Customer Service at (908) 226-2518 to schedule an appointment. You cannot put items on the curb without a confirmed date.
What are the rules for throwing away a mattress in Plainfield?
Plainfield enforces a strict 'No-Contact Mattress Disposal' rule. Any mattress or box spring placed at the curb for your bulk appointment must be completely sealed inside heavy-duty plastic wrap, or the crew will refuse to collect it.
Where can I drop off an old TV or computer in Plainfield?
Electronic waste is not collected at the curb. Plainfield property owners can drop off E-waste, including televisions and computers, at the PERC Transfer Station at 95 Rock Avenue. There is a strict limit of two electronic items per person per day.
Does Plainfield collect garbage on holidays?
If your regular trash day falls on a major holiday, PSWSU does not collect the following day. Instead, you must wait until your next regularly scheduled pickup day. To make up for this, the city allows you to place up to one extra cart's worth of waste out on that makeup day.