Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Summit
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 receptacle Bin (Trash)
Do NOT bring to the curb. Leave up driveway or in rear/side yard with a clear path. Have it ready by 6:00 AM.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Bagged trash
Any covered, water-tight container Bin (Recycling)
Must be placed curbside by 6:00 AM or the night before. No plastic bags allowed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Paper
- ✓Cardboard
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic containers
- ✓Metal cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Hazardous materials
Yard Waste Bin
Use biodegradable paper bags only. Do not mix in twigs, branches, or general yard debris.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves only (during designated collection weeks)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By appointment only (Dial-A-Truck program)
Placement
Place items at curbside after 6:00 PM the evening prior to your scheduled pickup, but no earlier than 24 hours before.
Accepted
- ✓ Large pieces of furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (sealed in plastic)
- ✓ Dishwashers
- ✓ Heavy appliances (doors removed)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction or demolition materials
- ✕ Propane tanks
- ✕ Business trash
- ✕ Fencing over 6 feet
- ✕ Hazardous items
- ✕ Car parts
- ✕ Furnaces or heating boilers
Free for residents. Landlords, businesses, and clean-out projects are not eligible.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Trash is collected on all holidays without interruption. However, recycling collection pushes forward one day if an observed holiday falls on or before your regular pickup day.
Yard Waste Exception
Leaf collection dates falling on trash days will proceed as normal during holidays unless postponed by a major weather event.
The outside recycling contractor modifies their schedule for major holidays, but Public Works garbage crews run their standard routes year-round.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Recycling Bin
Never place your recyclables inside plastic grocery or garbage bags. They wrap around the sorting equipment at the facility and can shut down the entire recycling line. Dump items loosely into your bin.
Maintain Clear Paths for Trash Crews
Since Summit relies on rear-yard or driveway collection for garbage, ensuring the path is free of snow, ice, or overgrown bushes is essential. If collectors cannot easily access your bins safely, they will not collect your trash.
No Twigs in Leaf Bags
During the Spring and Fall curbside leaf collections, ensure only leaves go into your biodegradable bags. Adding twigs, branches, and general yard debris disrupts the municipal composting process and may cause your bags to be left behind.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October to DecemberCurbside leaf collection kicks off the first full week of October and runs until early December or the first major snowfall. Ensure you are using proper biodegradable paper bags.
Spring
AprilA brief spring leaf collection occurs for three weeks starting the first full week in April. Pickups happen concurrently with your regular household trash day via a separate truck.
Winter
December to MarchDuring severe snow or ice events, garbage pickups may be slightly delayed. Keep driveways and walkways well-shoveled and salted to ensure sanitation workers can safely reach your trash bins.
About Summit Waste Management
Rear-Yard Trash Collection: A Summit Staple
Unlike many neighboring towns, Summit residents are not required to drag heavy trash bins to the curb. The City of Summit Public Works crews collect garbage directly from the side or rear of properties, or up the driveway. Residents just need to ensure bagged trash is in the receptacle by 6:00 AM on collection day and that the pathway is completely clear for the workers.
Curbside Single-Stream Recycling Rules
While trash stays near your home, recyclables must be brought to the curb by 6:00 AM on your designated collection day. Summit utilizes a single-stream recycling program, meaning glass, plastic, metal, cardboard, and paper can all share the same water-tight container. Remember, recycling is collected by an outside contractor, not municipal crews.
Free Dial-A-Truck Bulky Waste Service
Getting rid of large furniture or appliances is easy with Summit's Dial-A-Truck program. Operating by appointment only, this complimentary service picks up bulky items directly from the curb. Due to high demand, wait times can reach up to a month, and residents are strictly limited to five items per scheduled appointment.
Seasonal Leaf Collections in Spring and Fall
Summit provides separate curbside leaf collections to divert organic waste to the municipal compost area. Scheduled for three weeks in April and from October through early December, leaves must be placed in biodegradable paper bags on your normal trash day. A specialized truck distinct from the garbage hauler handles these pickups.
Utilizing the Summit Transfer Station
The Municipal Disposal Area on New Providence Avenue is an invaluable resource for active residents. Open Tuesday through Saturday, it offers a free drop-off point for household trash, bulky items, recyclables, and yard waste. Just make sure your vehicle license plate is registered with the Parking Services Agency prior to your visit.
Drop-off Facilities
City of Summit Transfer Station
40 New Providence Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to bring my trash cans to the curb in Summit?
No. The City of Summit provides rear-yard/driveway trash collection. You just need to ensure the bins are accessible and ready by 6:00 AM. Only your recycling and leaf bags should go to the curb.
How do I schedule a pickup for a large couch or refrigerator?
You can schedule a free Dial-A-Truck bulky waste pickup through the Report-A-Concern page on the city's website. Keep in mind that refrigerator doors must be completely removed before placing them curbside.
Will my garbage be picked up on Thanksgiving or Memorial Day?
Yes. Summit collects household trash on all holidays. However, your curbside recycling pickup will be delayed by one day if your scheduled day falls on or after a major holiday.
Can I use the Summit Transfer Station to drop off extra garbage?
Yes, the Municipal Disposal Area on New Providence Avenue is free for all Summit residents to drop off household garbage, recyclables, and bulky items. Just ensure your vehicle's license plate is registered with Parking Services first.