Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Sparta
Trash Day
Trash is collected twice a week on either a Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday schedule depending on your street.
Recycling
Single-stream recycling is picked up once per week on designated weekdays (Monday through Friday) according to your street schedule.
Yard Waste
Curbside collection of vegetative yard waste is conducted seasonally in late fall (late November/early December); year-round disposal is available at the SCMUA facility in Lafayette.
Set Out Time
Place containers at the curb the evening before your scheduled pickup day.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Solid waste utility bills are sent once a year in January with four coupon vouchers due March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1, each carrying a 10-day grace period.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly (mailed annually in January with 4 coupon vouchers)
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, 24/7 Drop Box, In-Person
Resident's own standard container (max 32 gallons) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on scheduled collection days. You are allowed up to two 32-gallon containers per pickup day, weighing no more than 50 pounds each when full.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household solid waste
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Dried out latex paint
Resident's own clearly marked recycling bin Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is single-stream (commingled). Containers must have identifying labels (e.g., 'Recyclables Only'). Cardboard must be flattened, and all recyclables must be left loose inside the bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (rinsed)
- ✓Aluminum trays, foil, and tin cans
- ✓Plastic containers (Codes 1, 2, 4, 5, 7)
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and mixed paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Styrofoam (peanuts or blocks)
- ✕Construction materials
- ✕Electronic waste
Yard Waste Bin
Blue Diamond does not collect yard waste. The Sparta DPW only collects vegetative waste in late November/early December. Otherwise, it must be taken directly to the SCMUA facility in Lafayette.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Vegetative brush (only during Township's late fall collection)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly for non-metal items; Monthly (Last Wednesday) for metal/white goods.
Placement
Place up to 3 non-metal items at the curb by 6:00 AM on your second garbage day of the week (e.g., Thursday if you are on the Mon/Thu route). Metal items must be scheduled by phone.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches, tables, and wooden dressers
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Carpeting (rolled and tied)
- ✓ Refrigerators and stoves (Freon removed, doors off - Metal Day only)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction debris (drywall, studs, pallets)
- ✕ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
Bulk collection is included in municipal services, but construction debris must be privately hauled to the SCMUA facility in Lafayette and is subject to tipping fees based on weight.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a scheduled collection day falls on an observed holiday, pickups for that day and the remainder of the week are typically delayed by one day, culminating with Friday pickups occurring on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Inclement weather delays follow a similar 'shift forward' rule (e.g., Monday shifts to Tuesday, Tuesday to Wednesday).
Always check Blue Diamond's website or call their customer service desk ahead of major holidays to confirm any deviations in rural collection routes.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall
November to DecemberThe Sparta DPW conducts its only annual curbside vegetative waste collection during late November and early December. Check the Township website during this period for strict guidelines on how to prepare your brush and leaves for the municipal trucks.
Spring
April to JuneSCMUA hosts its Spring Household Hazardous Waste Day. Sparta residents can safely dispose of up to 100 lbs or 10 gallons of fertilizers, pool chemicals, pesticides, and oil-based paints for free without making an appointment.
Winter
December to MarchDue to the steep and narrow roads in the Lake Mohawk region, severe snowstorms can frequently disrupt Blue Diamond's automated collection routes. If inclement weather cancels a pickup, your collection will generally shift to the very next day.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Cans? Get Cash Back in the Sparta Area!
While Sparta might not have its own dedicated bottle buyback center right in town, don't let those empty cans and bottles gather dust! New Jersey has a statewide program where you can get a refund on most beverage containers. Just look for the deposit symbol on your bottles and cans. For larger quantities or items like scrap metal, consider checking out yards in neighboring towns. For instance, in nearby Dover, you might find places like Dover Scrap Metal that take various metals.
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Sparta
Instead of tossing items that are still perfectly good, think about donating them! Locally, the Samaritan Center Thrift Store in Newton is a great spot to drop off clothes, household goods, and furniture. They do great work supporting people in need. If you've got larger items or more specific things, a quick call to the store can let you know what they're currently accepting. It's a wonderful way to help out your neighbors and keep useful items out of the landfill.
Keeping Sparta Beautiful: Tackling Bulk Trash & Clean-Ups
Sparta residents can request special pick-ups for bulkier items, but it's always smart to check the exact limits and make arrangements beforehand so there are no surprises. If you ever see litter or illegal dumping happening, it's best to report it to the Sparta Department of Public Works. They can be reached at 973-729-4111. They also coordinate community clean-up events, so keep an eye out for those opportunities to pitch in and make our town even nicer!
Drop-off Facilities
Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority (SCMUA)
34 South Route 94, Lafayette, NJ 07848
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What days are my regular garbage collected in Sparta?
Sparta Township receives twice-a-week garbage collection. Depending on where your street is located within the Blue Diamond routing schedule, your pickup days will either be Monday and Thursday, or Tuesday and Friday.
How do I throw out a mattress or a piece of wooden furniture?
You can place up to three non-metal bulk items (like a mattress, couch, or wooden dresser) at the curb for free on your second scheduled garbage pickup day of the week (either Thursday or Friday).
How do I dispose of a refrigerator, stove, or metal shelving?
Bulk metal and 'white goods' are only collected on the last Wednesday of each month. You must call Blue Diamond Disposal at (973) 598-9800 to place your address on the pickup list. Note that refrigerator and freezer doors must be removed, and freon evacuated.
Where can I get rid of an old television or computer?
Under state law, electronic waste is banned from curbside trash collection. Sparta residents must bring old TVs, monitors, and computers directly to the SCMUA facility on Route 94 in Lafayette. The facility accepts certain electronics for free on regular operating days.