Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Union
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.
Resident-provided sturdy container Bin (Trash)
Garbage should be placed at the curb in sturdy covered garbage containers. Place out between 5:00 PM the night before and 5:30 AM on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Cooking fats and grease (sealed in containers)
Resident-provided open container Bin (Recycling)
Commingled bottles and cans must be rinsed and placed in a sturdy open container. Paper and cardboard must be kept separate and bundled properly.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles
- ✓Mixed paper (bundled or in brown bags)
- ✓Flattened cardboard (tied in 12-inch bundles)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Telephone books
- ✕Cereal boxes
- ✕Food-contaminated materials
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in biodegradable bags or garbage cans no larger than 32 gallons. No plastic bags or heavy tree logs are accepted.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush and twigs (tied and bundled)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your first trash day (Mon or Tue)
Placement
Place at the curb by 5:30 AM on your scheduled bulk day (Monday for West Zone, Tuesday for East Zone). Do not place bulk waste in cardboard boxes.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and wood (bundled)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (MUST be in plastic disposal bags)
- ✓ Play equipment
- ✓ Microwaves
Not Accepted
- ✕ Concrete, asphalt, and rock
- ✕ Dirt and tree logs
- ✕ Construction and renovation materials
- ✕ Hazardous waste
Standard bulk is included for residents. Appliances and white goods require a free scheduled appointment by calling (908) 686-1922.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Garbage, recycling, and yard waste schedules are frequently altered during weeks containing major township-observed holidays. Check the official DPW color-coded calendar for specific zone makeup days.
Yard Waste Exception
If a holiday disrupts standard pickups, yard waste and brush collections are often suspended for the week to prioritize regular household trash routes.
Always ensure your bins are out by 5:30 AM on your rescheduled holiday pickup day, as DPW routes often start earlier than usual to complete the altered schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Cereal Boxes Out of Paper Recycling
Union's mixed paper recycling rules specifically exclude cereal boxes and telephone books. These items contaminate the paper stream and must be thrown in the regular household trash.
Never Bag Commingled Plastics
Glass, aluminum, and plastic bottles must be placed loosely into a sturdy open container. Plastic garbage or grocery bags are not recycled materials and will ruin the entire batch of recyclables.
Carpet Counts as a Bulk Item
When throwing out old carpet on your bulk day, it must be cut, rolled, and tied into bundles no longer than 4 feet and weighing under 50 lbs. Remember that each bundle counts toward your 3-item weekly limit.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to MarchDuring snow events, DPW plows clear the center of the road first for emergency vehicles, then return later for a 'curb to curb' pass. Wait to shovel your driveway apron until plows have finished both passes.
Summer
Spring to Early AutumnDuring the official Grass Collection Season, bundled brush and twigs are collected alongside grass on your second collection day of the week (Thursday for West Zone, Friday for East Zone).
Autumn
Late Autumn to WinterOnce the designated Grass Collection Season ends, brush and twigs shift schedules. They will no longer be picked up on your yard waste day, and must instead be placed out on your designated bulk pickup day.
About Union Waste Management
Navigating the East and West Zone Schedules
The Township of Union strictly divides its solid waste collection into two geographical zones, separated by Stuyvesant Avenue. If your home is located between Stuyvesant Avenue and the Springfield border, you are in the West Zone, receiving trash collection on Mondays and Thursdays. If you reside between Stuyvesant Avenue and the Elizabeth border, you belong to the East Zone, where collection occurs on Tuesdays and Fridays. Trash must be placed at the curb after 5:00 PM the night before, but no later than 5:30 AM on your collection day.
Mattress Bag Mandate and Weekly Bulk Limits
Union residents benefit from a generous weekly bulk waste allowance, permitting up to three large items per household on their first collection day of the week (Monday for the West Zone, Tuesday for the East Zone). However, strict health protocols are enforced by the DPW. Any mattress or box spring placed at the curb must be completely sealed inside a plastic mattress disposal bag. Failure to properly bag these items will result in a missed pickup and a potential code violation.
Preparing Your Paper and Cardboard Recycling
Union does not utilize a single-stream recycling cart system, meaning residents must manually prepare and separate their paper products. Mixed paper must be securely tied, bundled, or placed inside a brown paper grocery bag. Cardboard requires extra effort: it must be broken down, flattened, and tied with twine into bundles no taller than 12 inches and weighing no more than 25 pounds. Cardboard is collected every other week according to the color-coded municipal calendar.
Scheduling Appliance and Large TV Pickups
Your standard weekly bulk days do not cover 'white goods' such as refrigerators, washing machines, or large electronics. To dispose of these appliances, residents must schedule an appointment directly by calling the Department of Public Works at (908) 686-1922. You must speak directly to a receptionist to receive a confirmation number; automated voicemails are not accepted. The township limits these specialized appliance pickups to once a month per household, with a strict two-item maximum.
The DPW Convenience Center for E-Waste
New Jersey state law mandates that electronic waste cannot be thrown into standard landfills. Union Township accommodates this by providing a dedicated Convenience Center for e-waste disposal. This drop-off facility strictly limits accepted materials to just eight specific items: computers, monitors, laptops, tablets, fax machines, printers, televisions, and e-readers. Absolutely no other materials, household garbage, or construction debris are accepted at this location.
Drop-off Facilities
Township of Union DPW Convenience Center
Contact DPW at 908-686-1922 for exact routing/facility access details
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the garbage collection schedule in Union Township, NJ?
Garbage is collected twice a week based on your zone. The West Zone (Stuyvesant Ave to the Springfield border) has trash pickup on Mondays and Thursdays. The East Zone (Stuyvesant Ave to the Elizabeth border) is serviced on Tuesdays and Fridays.
How do I dispose of a mattress or box spring in Union?
You can place mattresses and box springs out on your designated weekly bulk collection day (Monday or Tuesday). However, they MUST be fully enclosed in a plastic mattress disposal bag. If they are not bagged, they will not be collected by the DPW.
Can I throw away my old TV at the curb in Union?
Standard electronic waste is not collected curbside. You must bring items like computers, printers, and standard televisions to the DPW Convenience Center. For extremely large TVs (over 50 inches), you must call the DPW at (908) 686-1922 to schedule a special appointment.
How should I prepare my cardboard for recycling?
The township requires all corrugated cardboard to be flattened and tied with twine into bundles. Bundles cannot be taller than 12 inches or weigh more than 25 pounds. Cardboard is collected every other week according to the town's recycling calendar.