Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Rockaway
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.
Resident-provided standard bin Bin (Trash)
Maximum of three (3) 32-gallon containers per week. Containers must have handles, lids, and cannot exceed 50 pounds each.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓General refuse
Resident-provided standard bin Bin (Recycling)
Single-stream recycling collected every other Tuesday. Containers must have handles and weigh under 50 pounds. Do not use 64- or 95-gallon wheeled carts.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Paper and aseptic cartons
- ✓Aluminum and steel (tin) cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (caps removed)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Hazardous waste
Yard Waste Bin
Place in biodegradable brown paper bags or open 32-gallon containers with handles. Branches must be tied in bundles under 4 feet long and 18 inches wide.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush
- ✓Tree branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your scheduled garbage collection day
Placement
Place items at the curb the night before your Route A (Thursday) or Route B (Friday) collection.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches
- ✓ Chairs
- ✓ Tables
- ✓ Rolled carpet (4-foot lengths)
- ✓ Mattresses
Not Accepted
- ✕ Scrap metal
- ✕ White goods and appliances
- ✕ Electronics
- ✕ Hazardous household waste
- ✕ Construction debris
Bulk pickup is free and included with regular weekly garbage collection. Scrap metal requires a free scheduled appointment.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When garbage collection falls on one of these major holidays, pickup is typically delayed to the following day.
Yard Waste Exception
Vegetative and recycling collections that fall on or after a holiday during the week may also be subject to a one-day shift.
Residents are highly encouraged to check the Borough website or the free Recycle Coach app for exact holiday makeup dates.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Avoid Oversized Wheeled Carts
Retail stores often sell large 64- or 95-gallon wheeled recycling carts, but the Borough strictly prohibits them because they easily exceed the 50-pound weight limit when full. Always stick to 32-gallon bins with handles.
Shredded Paper is Prohibited
While regular office paper and junk mail are highly recyclable, shredded paper is not accepted in Rockaway’s single-stream recycling carts. The small pieces fall through the cracks and jam the MCMUA sorting facility equipment.
Cardboard Boxes Are Not Trash Cans
Never use an empty cardboard box as a makeshift garbage container. Cardboard should be flattened, kept dry, and stacked properly inside your reusable recycling bin.
Seasonal Information
Spring, Summer & Fall
April to DecemberCurbside vegetative waste collection runs every other Wednesday. Keep your brush bundled separately from your grass and leaves to ensure swift collection by the crews.
Winter
December to MarchDuring snowstorms and icy conditions, ensure your 32-gallon bins are clearly visible at the curb. Always use a tight-fitting lid to keep snow and rain out of your recyclables, as wet paper cannot be processed.
Holidays
Year-RoundWhen major holidays occur on a collection day, expect a one-day delay. Always use the Recycle Coach app to get real-time notifications about shifting routes during holiday weeks.
About Rockaway Waste Management
Mastering Rockaway Borough's Trash and Recycling Rules
Navigating garbage and recycling in Rockaway Borough, NJ, is simple once you know the guidelines. The Borough contracts with Blue Diamond Disposal for weekly household trash and bulky waste, dividing the town into Thursday (Route A) and Friday (Route B) collections. For single-stream recycling, the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority (MCMUA) handles pick-ups every other Tuesday. Adhering to the town’s strict weight limits and container rules ensures a clean neighborhood and avoids missed collections.
The 50-Pound Container Limit Explained
A defining feature of Rockaway's residential waste program is the strict weight and size restriction on curbside bins. Whether it is garbage, recycling, or yard waste, no single container can exceed 50 pounds. Furthermore, the Borough strongly advises against purchasing oversized 64- or 95-gallon wheeled carts. Instead, residents must use standard 32-gallon cans equipped with sturdy handles and tight-fitting lids. This policy protects sanitation workers from lifting injuries and prevents debris from blowing into Morris County streets.
Weekly Bulky Waste Perks for Residents
Unlike municipalities that require fee-based appointments or limit large item disposal to a few times a year, Rockaway Borough offers highly convenient weekly bulk pickup. Residents can place up to three bulky items—such as a couch, mattress, or a bundle of rolled carpet—at the curb on their regular garbage day. Just remember that rolls of carpet must be cut to four-foot lengths, and each roll counts as one of your three permitted bulky items.
Special Rules for Scrap Metal Disposal
If you are cleaning out the garage and find metal folding chairs, old appliances, or light iron, do not mix them with your weekly bulk trash. Rockaway strictly separates scrap metal. You have two options: drop the items off in the designated scrap metal container at the Union Street Recycling Depot, or schedule a free curbside pickup by calling Blue Diamond Disposal. Curbside scrap metal collection only occurs on the last Wednesday of each month.
Vegetative Waste Collection from April to December
Maintaining your lawn during the New Jersey spring and summer generates plenty of yard waste. In Rockaway, vegetative collections for leaves, grass, and brush happen every other Wednesday from April through December. Yard clippings must go into 32-gallon handled containers or biodegradable paper bags. If you are trimming trees, bundle your branches with string, keeping them under four feet long and no more than 18 inches in diameter.
Drop-off Facilities
Rockaway Borough Recycling Depot
DPW Garage, 21-25 Union St, Rockaway, NJ 07866
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of an old couch or rolled carpet in Rockaway Borough?
You can place up to three bulky items, such as a couch or rolled carpet (cut and tied into 4-foot lengths), at the curb on your regular Thursday or Friday garbage day each week without scheduling ahead.
Can I use a large 96-gallon recycling cart with wheels?
No. The Borough explicitly prohibits the use of large 64- and 95-gallon carts. These bins quickly exceed the strict 50-pound weight limit, which poses an injury risk to the collection crews. Please use 32-gallon cans with handles.
How do I dispose of scrap metal like an old folding chair or appliance?
Scrap metal cannot go out with your regular bulk waste. You must schedule an appointment by calling Blue Diamond Disposal at 973-598-9800 for a special pickup on the last Wednesday of the month, or drop it off at the Recycling Depot on Union Street.
When are leaves, grass clippings, and branches collected?
Vegetative waste is picked up every other Wednesday from April through December. You must use 32-gallon containers with handles or biodegradable brown paper bags. Branches must be tied in bundles no longer than 4 feet.