Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Secaucus
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.
Any standard dark color (typically black or dark green) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be bagged and placed in watertight, covered containers weighing no more than 50 pounds each. Containers should be placed at the curb no earlier than 6:00 PM the night before collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Soiled paper products
Blue or clearly marked recycling containers Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables should be placed loose in the bin, never in plastic garbage bags. Cardboard must be flattened and tied if not placed inside the recycling receptacle.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic containers (codes 1, 2, and 5)
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and mixed paper
- ✓Flattened corrugated cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires)
- ✕Window glass or mirrors
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste must be placed in biodegradable paper yard bags or in open, un-lidded trash cans. Branches must be tied in bundles no longer than 4 feet and weighing less than 40 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small twigs and branches
- ✓Garden debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Scheduled directly with DPW or on specific designated days depending on the residential zone.
Placement
Items should only be placed at the curb the evening before the scheduled collection. Mattresses and box springs MUST be encased in plastic mattress bags to prevent bed bug spread.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and chairs
- ✓ Tables and non-metal wooden furniture
- ✓ Mattresses (must be wrapped in plastic per health regulations)
- ✓ Carpeting (rolled and tied, max 4 feet in length)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, chemicals)
- ✕ Propane tanks
- ✕ Tires
Standard household bulk items are generally collected at no extra charge, but specific items like appliances containing Freon may require a special permit or fee. Contact the DPW to confirm.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a scheduled collection day falls on a town-observed holiday, the collection is typically suspended and will occur on your next regularly scheduled pickup day or a designated alternate date announced by the DPW.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collection is frequently suspended during holiday weeks to allow crews to focus on standard household garbage volumes.
Always check the town's official social media channels or DPW alerts during holiday weeks for precise rollover schedules.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Bin
The most common recycling mistake in Secaucus is bagging recyclables. Plastic bags jam the gears at the sorting facility. Always toss your cans, glass, and paper loosely into your recycling container.
The Greasy Pizza Box Rule
While clean cardboard is highly recyclable, the oil-soaked bottom of a pizza box is not. Tear the box in half: recycle the clean lid, and throw the greasy bottom into the regular household trash.
Beware of 'Tanglers'
Items like garden hoses, holiday lights, and electrical cords are considered tanglers. They cause severe mechanical issues at the recycling plant. These items should be placed in the standard garbage or taken to a specialized e-waste drop-off if applicable.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October to DecemberDuring the peak autumn foliage season, the DPW runs intensive leaf collection routes. Residents are strictly required to use biodegradable kraft paper bags for leaves; plastic bags will be left at the curb to prevent municipal composting contamination.
Winter
December to MarchIn the event of heavy snowfall, DPW plows take priority. Trash and recycling collections may experience delays. Residents are advised to keep bins clear of snowbanks and avoid placing them in the street where they might obstruct snowplows.
Spring
April to MaySpring cleaning often results in excess yard debris. The town typically resumes weekly yard waste pickups in early spring. Ensure all brush and branches from winter storm damage are securely tied in manageable bundles.
About Secaucus Waste Management
Navigating Residential Waste Collection in Secaucus
Nestled in the heart of the New Jersey Meadowlands, Secaucus offers a robust municipal waste management program designed to keep this vibrant commuter town clean. The Secaucus Department of Public Works (DPW) handles regular household garbage, ensuring that residents have reliable weekly collection schedules. Maintaining neighborhood cleanliness is a shared responsibility, and understanding the specific set-out times and container regulations helps prevent litter from blowing into the nearby wetlands.
Hudson County Recycling Mandates and Best Practices
Like the rest of Hudson County, Secaucus strictly enforces mandatory recycling to reduce the environmental footprint and landfill dependency. The town's recycling program requires residents to separate their recyclables properly. Keeping corrugated cardboard dry, flattening boxes, and rinsing out glass and plastic containers before placing them at the curb ensures that the town's recycling stream remains uncontaminated and economically viable.
Handling Heavy Debris and Bulk Furniture Disposal
Whether you are renovating a historic home near the town center or simply upgrading your living room furniture, disposing of oversized items requires following specific DPW protocols. Secaucus provides designated pathways for bulk waste collection, ensuring that mattresses, broken appliances, and old couches are removed safely without creating sidewalk hazards for pedestrians. Certain items containing Freon or electronics may require special handling due to state e-waste laws.
Seasonal Yard Maintenance and Leaf Collection
Secaucus experiences the full range of Northeast seasons, which directly impacts yard waste management. During the autumn months, the town implements a specialized leaf collection schedule, requiring residents to use biodegradable paper bags rather than plastic. In the aftermath of summer storms or winter snowmelts, the DPW also coordinates branch and brush pickups, provided they are tied, bundled, and cut to manageable lengths.
Drop-off Facilities
Hudson County Improvement Authority (HCIA) Mobile Drop-off
Various locations county-wide (Check HCIA website for Secaucus dates)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do I need to put my garbage out in Secaucus?
Residents should place their trash and recycling receptacles at the curb no earlier than 6:00 PM on the evening prior to the scheduled collection day, and no later than 6:00 AM on the day of collection.
How do I dispose of a mattress in town?
To dispose of a mattress or box spring, state and local health regulations require that the item be fully sealed in a plastic mattress bag before being placed at the curb for bulk pickup. Unwrapped mattresses will not be collected.
Can I leave grass clippings out with my regular trash?
No, yard waste such as grass clippings and leaves must be separated from household garbage. They must be placed in biodegradable paper bags or open, un-lidded containers and put out on the designated yard waste collection days.
Where can I recycle an old television or computer?
Electronic waste is prohibited from regular curbside trash under New Jersey law. You must wait for an HCIA e-waste collection event or contact the Secaucus DPW for instructions on approved local drop-off sites for covered electronics.