Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Trenton
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.
Standard heavy-duty trash cans or securely tied bags Bin (Trash)
Limit of 15 bags per collection. Wet garbage must be drained. Leaking, damaged, or unsanitary containers are violations. Set out between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household refuse
- ✓Food waste (must be drained and wrapped)
- ✓Soiled paper products
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics (#3 - #7)
Official Mercer County/Trenton Recycling Bucket Bin (Recycling)
Items must be placed loose in the official bucket. No contractor material. Recyclables are picked up in Downtown Trenton on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2 only
- ✓Glass food & beverage jars/bottles
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Aluminum & metal beverage containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags (highly restricted)
- ✕Plastics #3 through #7
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam drinking cups
- ✕Hard cover books (unless the cover is removed)
Yard Waste Bin
Strict limits apply: Maximum of 15 bags of leaves, 15 bundles of yard waste, and 15 bundles of branches/twigs. Wood and branches must be tied and bound, no more than 4 feet in length, and under 35 lbs per bundle.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Branches and twigs
- ✓Wood
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By mandatory appointment only
Placement
Once an appointment is confirmed, place bulk items at the curb no earlier than 10:00 PM the night before and no later than 7:00 AM on the scheduled pickup day.
Accepted
- ✓ Beds and mattresses (must be wrapped if bed bugs are suspected)
- ✓ Stoves and refrigerators
- ✓ Standard household furniture
- ✓ Large metal appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Contractor and alteration debris
- ✕ Hazardous or infectious waste
- ✕ Ammunition and explosives
- ✕ Sharp or biological waste
Bulk pickup is free for residents within the stated limits, but items dumped illegally or placed out without an appointment will trigger a municipal fine for the property owner.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
There is no garbage, commercial cardboard, or commercial glass collection on a city holiday. If a major holiday (e.g., Thanksgiving, Christmas, July 4th) falls on your collection day, pickup will be shifted to the following Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
All scheduled bulk pickups and brush collections are suspended on major municipal holidays.
If you mistakenly place trash out on a holiday, City Ordinance requires you to remove it from the curb immediately to avoid citations and fines per day the violation remains.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Remove Book Covers
If you are recycling hard cover books in Trenton, you must completely rip off and discard the rigid covers into the regular trash first. Only the inner paper pages are accepted in your recycling bucket.
Ban the Pizza Box
Unlike some neighboring municipalities, the City of Trenton explicitly lists pizza boxes as an unacceptable item for recycling due to grease and food contamination. Throw all pizza boxes in your regular garbage.
Watch Your Plastic Numbers
Trenton's recycling program only accepts #1 and #2 plastics, such as milk jugs and standard water bottles. Plastics stamped with #3 through #7, including many yogurt cups and takeout containers, must go in the trash.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October to DecemberThe Division of Solid Waste Management implements a dedicated bagged leaf collection program for city residents during the autumn months. Do not rake leaves directly into the street; they must be bagged (up to a 15-bag limit).
Winter
December to JanuaryIf a major holiday like Christmas or New Year's Day disrupts the schedule, Trenton DPW traditionally schedules the make-up collection route for the following Saturday. Ensure your bins are out early on that weekend.
Spring/Summer
April to AugustDuring peak home renovation seasons, remember that the City of Trenton absolutely does not pick up contractor or alteration materials. Disposal of construction debris is the sole legal responsibility of the homeowner or hired contractor.
About Trenton Waste Management
Trenton's Neighborhood-Based Twice-Weekly Collection
The City of Trenton operates a rigorous twice-a-week garbage collection schedule tailored to specific wards. Residents in the North Ward (Southard St. to Pennington) and the West Ward receive service on Mondays and Thursdays. If you reside in the South Ward or Chambersburg, your designated days are Tuesdays and Fridays, while the East Ward and the remainder of the North Ward are serviced on Wednesdays and Saturdays. All household refuse must be placed at the curb between 10:00 PM the night before and 7:00 AM on your collection day to avoid municipal citations.
Strict Limits for Bulk Debris and Furniture
Unlike towns that allow unlimited bulk waste, Trenton enforces strict volume limits for heavy collections. The Division of Solid Waste Management permits a maximum of 5 furniture items per scheduled trash day, and exactly 5 metal items per appointment. You cannot simply leave these items on the curb; residents are legally required to call 609-989-3175 between 8:00 AM and 3:15 PM on weekdays to pre-schedule their special bulk pickup.
The Official Recycling Bucket Mandate
Trenton homeowners must use official municipal buckets for their weekly recycling collection. Recyclables placed in plastic bags or unauthorized containers will be rejected and left at the curb. If you need a new bucket, you must visit the Public Works distribution center at 707 Calhoun Avenue between Monday and Saturday. Remember to bring a valid New Jersey driver's license or an alternative proof of city residency to claim your free container.
Handling Wet Garbage and Infectious Materials
Trenton has highly specific local ordinances regarding the preparation of certain waste types. For instance, any 'wet garbage' must be thoroughly drained, wrapped, and bound before being placed in a trash bag. Furthermore, any household furnishings that could potentially attract or harbor bed bugs, as well as biological waste, must be securely wrapped or completely sealed in heavy-duty plastic bags prior to curbside placement to protect sanitation workers.
The Trenton Graffiti Blasters Program
Beyond traditional waste collection, the Division of Solid Waste Management actively beautifies the city through the Graffiti Blasters Program. This unique initiative provides the manpower and specialized high-pressure baking soda machinery to safely remove graffiti from brick, stone, and metal surfaces on Trenton buildings. Property owners simply need to sign a permission form authorizing the city to clear the vandalism.
Drop-off Facilities
Trenton Public Works - Recycling Bucket Distribution
707 Calhoun Avenue, Trenton, NJ 08618
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a new recycling bucket in Trenton, NJ?
Residents can obtain an official recycling bucket by visiting the distribution center at 707 Calhoun Avenue. You must bring a valid New Jersey driver's license or proof of city residency. The facility is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
What is the limit for bulk trash pickup in Trenton?
Trenton enforces strict bulk limits. You are allowed a maximum of 5 furniture items per scheduled trash day and 5 metal items per appointment. You must call 609-989-3175 to schedule the pickup in advance.
Are there any special rules for throwing away wet food waste?
Yes, Trenton has a specific ordinance requiring that all 'wet garbage' be thoroughly drained of liquids and completely wrapped and bound before being placed inside your trash bags or bins.
What happens if my Trenton garbage day falls on a holiday?
There is no garbage collection on observed holidays. For major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Memorial Day, the missed collection is typically made up on the following Saturday. Never leave trash at the curb during a holiday, as it violates city ordinances.