Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Union City
Trash Day
Trash is collected twice per week based on street zone: 2nd to 21st Streets on Sunday and Wednesday nights; 21st to 36th Streets on Monday and Thursday nights; and 36th to 49th Streets on Tuesday and Friday nights.
Recycling
Recycling is collected once a week depending on your neighborhood zone (typically Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday). Residents can look up their specific street on the city's Recycle Coach tool.
Yard Waste
Collected on designated DPW clean-up days and seasonal schedules; check the Recycle Coach app for specific dates.
Set Out Time
Place containers curbside after 8:00 PM the night before collection or by 6:00 AM on collection day.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential curbside trash and recycling services are provided by the city and funded through municipal property taxes, so homeowners do not receive a separate trash utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In-Person, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
Eligible senior citizens and permanently disabled residents can apply for New Jersey Senior Freeze (PTR) property tax relief and senior property tax deduction programs through the Tax Collector's office.
Standard bins or thick plastic bags Bin (Trash)
Place at the curb after 7:00 PM the night before collection. Must be secured in thick plastic bags or strong garbage containers with tight-fitting lids.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food-contaminated pizza boxes
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Ceramics and glassware
Town-supplied receptacle or resident-provided bin Bin (Recycling)
Place curbside by 7:00 PM on your zone's designated night. Paper/cardboard must be bundled, boxed, or in brown bags separately from commingled plastics and glass.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles
- ✓Paper, cardboard, catalogs, and junk mail
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Ceramics or window glass
- ✕Food-contaminated foil or boxes
- ✕Motor oil containers
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste collections follow seasonal DPW guidelines. Call the DPW at (201) 348-5840 for specific yard debris instructions and collection schedules.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Varies by request (Contact DPW)
Placement
Contact the DPW at (201) 348-5840 to confirm the exact placement rules and scheduling for heavy bulk items in your specific street zone.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Wooden furniture
- ✓ Couches
- ✓ Appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Motor oil
- ✕ Oil-based paints
- ✕ Pesticides
- ✕ Large automotive parts
Municipal collection is provided for standard residential bulk, but large-scale construction or renovation debris must be hauled away privately by a contractor.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Garbage and recycling schedules may shift during major national holidays. The DPW typically posts specific makeup collection days on the city's official website and pushes notifications via the Recycle Coach app.
Yard Waste Exception
Street cleaning and specialized yard waste pickups are suspended on all observed municipal holidays.
Always verify holiday schedule changes directly through the Union City DPW portal or by calling the Clean Communities coordinator at (201) 348-5839.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to MarchDuring severe winter snowstorms, standard garbage collection may be delayed so DPW crews can prioritize plowing the streets curb-to-curb. Check the Union City website for weather-related suspensions.
Autumn
October to DecemberFall leaf collection schedules are announced seasonally by the DPW. Leaves must typically be placed in biodegradable paper bags rather than plastic to ensure proper municipal composting.
Year-Round
January to DecemberDownload the free Recycle Coach app, actively supported by Union City, to get real-time notifications about collection day changes, holiday delays, and specific seasonal drop-off events.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Empty Bottles into Cold Cash in Union City?
Hey neighbor! Thinking about those plastic bottles and aluminum cans? While Union City doesn't have a specific bottle buyback center right within its limits, New Jersey has a state-wide bottle deposit program for most beverages. You know, the ones with the NJ 3¢ deposit printed on them. Look for the recycling symbol! Keep an eye out for local redemption centers in nearby towns like Jersey City or Hoboken. Sometimes, scrap metal yards will also take aluminum cans in bulk, so if you've got a big stash, it might be worth a quick drive to see if you can get a few bucks back for them. Every little bit helps, right?
Give Your Old Stuff a Second Life in Union City!
Got furniture or clothes you're ready to part with? Instead of tossing them, think about donating! The **Salvation Army** often has donation centers in the broader North Hudson area, and they're always looking for gently used items. Also, check out **Goodwill** in nearby Jersey City or Secaucus. Even if you can't make it to a physical store, some organizations might offer pick-up services for larger items. It's a great way to help others and keep good things out of the landfill. Plus, you might even snag a tax deduction!
Keeping Union City Clean: Watch Out for Illegal Dumping & Join the Fun!
We all want our streets looking nice, right? If you ever spot someone dumping trash where they shouldn't be, the City of Union City wants to know. You can typically report illegal dumping by calling the City Clerk's office or the Public Works department. Keeping an eye out helps us all. On a more positive note, sometimes community groups organize neighborhood clean-up days, especially around Earth Day. Keep an ear out for announcements from local community centers or your neighborhood associations. Pitching in for a few hours can make a huge difference in making Union City an even better place to live!
Drop-off Facilities
Union City E-Waste Drop-Off Center
511 Paterson Plank Road, Union City, NJ 07087
Materials Accepted
Union City Department of Public Works
2801 New York Ave, Union City, NJ 07087
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time can I put my garbage out in Union City?
Garbage and recycling must be placed at the curb after 7:00 PM on the night before your scheduled collection day. It must be stored in thick plastic bags or a sturdy garbage container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent litter.
How do I throw away an old TV or computer in Union City, NJ?
Union City allows you to place electronic waste curbside next to your regular recycling on your designated recycling night. You can also contact the DPW to drop it off at the E-Waste facility at 511 Paterson Plank Road.
What is my trash pickup zone in Union City?
Zone 1 is from 2nd to 21st Street. Zone 2 is from 21st Street to 36th Street, plus all of Summit Ave. Zone 3 is from 37th Street to 49th Street. Each zone has specific nights for their twice-weekly garbage collection.
Can I recycle pizza boxes and styrofoam in Union City?
No. Food-contaminated pizza boxes, styrofoam containers, and foil items are considered household trash. They cannot go in your recycling bins and must be thrown away with your regular garbage.