Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Scotch Plains
Trash Day
Household trash collection is not provided by the township. Residents must privately contract with a licensed waste hauler, which determines your weekly collection schedule.
Recycling
Curbside single-stream recycling is collected biweekly Monday through Friday depending on your designated zone (alternating between North Side and South Side zones).
Yard Waste
Curbside yard waste is collected seasonally, including spring brush pickup in April, late summer brush pickup in September, and township-wide leaf collection from late October through mid-December.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash collection fees are paid directly to your private hauler. Township sewer utility bills are issued once per year and are due on September 1st.
Billing Cycle
Annual for sewer utility; Quarterly for property taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, AutoPay, Bank BillPay, Mail, 24/7 Drop Box, In Person
Resident-provided or Private Hauler provided Bin (Trash)
Trash collection is privately contracted. Contact your chosen private hauler (e.g., Republic Services, FM Disposal) for their specific bin size limits and placement times.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste
Resident-provided rigid container Bin (Recycling)
Use a rigid reusable container like a crate or bucket. The container must not exceed 20 gallons in size or 50 pounds in weight. Single-streaming is allowed. Place at the curb by 6:00 A.M.
Accepted Items
- ✓Mixed paper and newspaper
- ✓Flattened corrugated cardboard
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers #1 and #2
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Batteries
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Plastics other than #1 or #2
Yard Waste Bin
Place in separate piles at the curb no earlier than 10 days prior to a scheduled DPW seasonal pickup. Do not bag leaves in plastic; use biodegradable paper bags if necessary.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Branches (max 6ft long and 2in diameter)
- ✓Gumballs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
None (Municipal) / By Private Arrangement
Placement
Never leave bulk items at the curb indefinitely. Only place large items out on the specific day you have a confirmed, scheduled pickup from a private company.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Wood and large debris (if using a private hauler or Westfield drop-off)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous household waste
- ✕ Paint
- ✕ Chemicals
- ✕ Automotive fluids
Through a shared agreement, Scotch Plains residents can purchase a permit and pay a $60 per trunk load fee to drop off bulk waste at the Westfield Conservation Center.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a major holiday falls on a weekday, curbside recycling collections for that zone and all remaining zones for that week will be delayed by one day, with Friday pickups sliding to Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
The Plainfield Avenue DPW drop-off facility is closed on all observed municipal holidays.
Always check directly with your private trash hauler for their specific holiday garbage schedule, as it may differ completely from the municipal recycling calendar.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
AprilThe DPW conducts a township-wide spring brush and limb collection. Branches must be cut to a maximum of 6 feet long and 2 inches in diameter. No logs or large stumps are accepted.
Fall
October - DecemberFall leaf collection typically begins in late October. Keep leaf piles free of rocks, stumps, and branches to prevent damage to the vacuum equipment. Biodegradable bags are permitted, but plastic bags are banned.
Winter
JanuaryThe DPW offers free curbside Christmas tree pickups starting in early January. You must remove all ornaments, tinsel, and stands before placing the tree at the curb. Wreaths and garlands are not accepted.
Local Tips & Community Info
Get Some Green Back for Your Bottles and Cans Around Scotch Plains?
While Scotch Plains itself doesn't have specific local buyback centers listed, New Jersey has a strong bottle and can redemption program statewide! You can get 10 cents back for most soda, water, and juice containers with the NJ redemption logo. Look for these redemption centers at many grocery stores and redemption shops throughout Union County and the surrounding areas. It's a great way to turn your empties into extra cash!
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in the Scotch Plains Area
Before tossing those items that are still in good shape, think about donating! For clothing, furniture, and household goods, consider the Goodwill Store in nearby Edison or the Salvation Army in Plainfield. If you've got building materials or home improvement items, Habitat for Humanity ReStores in the region often accept donations. These places do wonderful work and your contributions truly help out neighbors.
Keeping Scotch Plains Spick-and-Span: Beyond the Bin
While the township focuses on regular pickups, keeping our streets clean from illegal dumping is a community effort. If you ever see items left where they shouldn't be, report it to the Scotch Plains Department of Public Works. For larger clean-up events, keep an eye on the official Scotch Plains Township website or local community boards for announcements about volunteer clean-up days. Working together makes Scotch Plains a more beautiful place for everyone.
Drop-off Facilities
Scotch Plains DPW Yard
2445 Plainfield Ave, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
Materials Accepted
Westfield Conservation Center (Permit Required)
1300 Lamberts Mill Rd, Westfield, NJ 07090
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Scotch Plains provide municipal garbage pickup?
No. Scotch Plains residents are responsible for hiring a private waste hauling company, such as Republic Services or FM Disposal, for their regular household garbage. The township only administers curbside recycling services.
Can I put all my recyclables in the same bin?
Yes, homeowners may 'single-stream' their recycling. You can mix paper, cardboard, and commingled glass and plastics (#1 and #2) in a single rigid, reusable container, provided the container does not exceed 20 gallons in volume or weigh more than 50 pounds.
Where can I recycle Styrofoam in Scotch Plains?
Clean Styrofoam (labeled as Plastic #6) can be dropped off at the Scotch Plains DPW Yard on Plainfield Avenue on Thursdays between 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Food service items, packing peanuts, and dark or wet foam are completely unacceptable.
How do I get rid of large bulk items like a couch or mattress?
Since there is no municipal bulk pickup, you have two primary options: schedule a bulky waste pickup with your private trash hauler for a fee, or purchase a permit to drop off the items yourself at the Westfield Conservation Center on Lamberts Mill Road for $60 per trunk load.