Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Washington Borough
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.
Black 95-Gallon Cart Bin (Trash)
All waste must be drained of free liquids and bagged inside the black cart. Carts must be placed at the curb after 6:00 PM the night before collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household refuse
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable wrappers and plastics
Green 95-Gallon Cart Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed loosely in the cart. If excess recyclables don't fit, they may be placed in a heavy-duty resident-provided container (max 32 gallons/50 lbs).
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (cleaned, caps removed)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic containers
- ✓Single-stream mixed paper and cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Lithium and rechargeable batteries
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Must use kraft-type paper bags or resident-provided 32-gallon cans (max 50 lbs). Branches must be tied in bundles with natural fiber twine.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass and hedge clippings
- ✓Leaves and straw
- ✓Small tree branches (max 4 inches thick, 2 feet long)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Collected on regular trash days with a sticker
Placement
Place stickered bulk items neatly at the curb alongside your black garbage cart the night before your scheduled collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large household appliances (non-freon)
- ✓ Carpet rolls (cut and tied)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste (motor oil, pesticides)
- ✕ Electronics (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Regular household garbage acting as bulk
Bulk waste stickers must be purchased from the Borough in advance. The fee is established by the governing body; contact the municipal building for current pricing.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a major observed holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of that week will be delayed by one day. If the holiday falls on a weekend, the schedule typically remains unaffected.
Yard Waste Exception
County drop-off facilities, including the PCFA landfill for batteries, are closed on all major holidays.
Residents are encouraged to use the Recycle Coach app for real-time push notifications regarding holiday schedule shifts and weather delays.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Never Bag Your Recyclables
Single-stream recyclables must be deposited loosely into your green cart. Materials placed in plastic grocery bags or black trash bags will be treated as contamination and left at the curb.
Remove Caps and Rings from Glass
Before recycling glass bottles and jars in Washington Borough, ensure all metal rings, caps, and lids are completely removed, and the containers are thoroughly rinsed out.
Keep Lithium Batteries Out of the Bins
Rechargeable batteries pose a severe fire risk to Casella's collection trucks and the recycling facility. Always drop off lithium and button cell batteries at the Warren County District Landfill.
Seasonal Information
Spring & Fall
April & OctoberTake advantage of the PCFA of Warren County's Household Hazardous Waste events held during the spring and fall to safely dispose of pesticides, oil paint, and household chemicals.
Winter
December to MarchDuring heavy snowfalls, ensure your carts are accessible and not buried behind snowbanks. Place them in a cleared area at the end of your driveway, not in the street where plows operate.
Autumn
October to NovemberAs leaves begin to fall, remember they are strictly prohibited from the regular trash. Ensure you stock up on biodegradable kraft bags for curbside yard waste collection.
About Washington Borough Waste Management
Washington Borough's Transition to Casella Waste Systems
In September 2024, Washington Borough officially partnered with Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (formerly LMR Disposal LLC) to handle all municipal solid waste and recycling collection. This updated hauling contract aims to streamline residential waste services, though it requires homeowners to adhere strictly to the borough's cart and schedule guidelines to avoid missed pickups.
Navigating the 95-Gallon Cart Mandate
The Borough provides every residential generating unit (RGU) with one 95-gallon black garbage cart and one 95-gallon green recycling cart. These carts are the property of the borough and must remain with the property if sold. All standard household refuse must fit entirely inside the black cart. Bags left on the ground next to the cart will not be collected unless they are properly marked under the bulk sticker program.
How the Bulk Waste Sticker Program Works
Unlike municipalities that limit bulk items to one per month, Washington Borough allows residents to dispose of an unlimited amount of 'Type 13' bulky waste on their regular collection day, provided a major condition is met: every single bulk item must have a properly affixed Borough-issued bulk waste sticker. You cannot use these stickers for excess regular municipal waste.
Strict Guidelines for Curbside Yard Waste
When clearing your yard, remember that leaves, hedge clippings, and grass cannot go in your black or green carts. They must be separated into kraft-type paper bags or heavy-duty resident-provided cans (maximum 32 gallons and 50 pounds). Small tree branches are accepted curbside, but they must be no larger than four inches in diameter, cut to two-foot lengths, and securely tied with natural twine.
Rechargeable Battery and E-Waste Disposal
Washington Borough strongly prohibits electronics and non-alkaline dry cell batteries (like lithium, nickel-cadmium, and button cells) in curbside bins due to fire hazards. Residents must utilize the collection barrels at the Warren County District Landfill in Oxford, or hold onto these items for the Pollution Control Financing Authority (PCFA) Household Hazardous Waste events held every spring and fall.
Drop-off Facilities
Warren County District Landfill (PCFA)
500 Mt. Pisgah Ave, Oxford, NJ 07863
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the garbage collector for Washington Borough, NJ?
As of September 2, 2024, Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (formerly LMR Disposal LLC) is the official contracted municipal solid waste and recycling hauler for the borough.
How do I get rid of an old sofa or mattress?
You can place bulky items out on your regular trash collection day, but you must first purchase a bulk waste sticker from the Borough for each item. There is no limit to the number of bulk items you can place out, as long as every item is stickered.
What should I do if my recycling doesn't fit in the green 95-gallon cart?
If you have excess single-stream recycling, you may place it in a heavy-duty plastic or galvanized metal container that you provide. This extra container cannot exceed 32 gallons in capacity or 50 pounds in weight. Do not put excess recycling in plastic bags.
Where can I drop off my old TV and computer?
Electronic waste is strictly prohibited in curbside trash and recycling. Residents should take e-waste to the Pollution Control Financing Authority (PCFA) facility located at 500 Mt. Pisgah Ave in Oxford, NJ.