Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Wayne
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 Receptacle Bin (Trash)
Must be placed in a hard reusable container under 35 gallons and under 50 pounds. Place at curbside by 7:00 AM on your scheduled pickup day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Normal household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
Resident-Provided Receptacle Bin (Recycling)
Commingled items and paper are collected on alternating weeks. Must use a hard container under 35 gallons/50 lbs. Never put items in plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1-7 (bottles, jars, tubs)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (rinsed)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and dry food boxes (alternating week)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags, wrap, or film
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam or packing peanuts
- ✕Ceramics or drinking glasses
- ✕Electronics and batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Must be in large paper bags, tied in bundles, or in a hard reusable container under 35 gallons/50 lbs. No plastic bags, dirt, or large logs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves and grass clippings
- ✓Trimmings from bushes and shrubs
- ✓Branches under 4 feet long and 4 inches in diameter
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (on the second garbage collection day)
Placement
Place up to 3 non-metal bulk items at the curb by 7:00 AM on your second garbage collection day of the week.
Accepted
- ✓ Wood or plastic furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Carpet
- ✓ One piece of construction debris (e.g., toilet, cabinet, door)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Large metal items and appliances (requires appointment)
- ✕ Multiple pieces of construction debris from major remodels
- ✕ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Car parts and hazardous fluids
Curbside bulk pickup of 3 items is included in municipal services. Major renovation debris must be hauled privately.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled garbage or recycling collection day falls on a state holiday, your pickup will automatically occur on the next business day.
Yard Waste Exception
The Wayne Recycling Center at 201 Dey Road and Town Hall administrative offices are closed on all major State Holidays.
Residents should download the Recycle Coach smartphone app for push notifications regarding sudden holiday or weather-related collection shifts.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Never Use Plastic Bags for Recycling or Yard Waste
The most common reason for a rejected pickup in Wayne is the use of plastic garbage bags for recyclables or vegetative waste. Commingled recycling and yard debris must always be loose in a hard bin or paper bags.
Keep Electronics Out of the Trash
It is illegal to place TVs, computers, or printers at the curb with your regular garbage. All electronic waste must be driven to the Wayne Recycling Center at 201 Dey Road.
Dry Out Your Latex Paint
Liquid paint cannot be thrown in the regular garbage. If you have leftover latex paint, you must dry it completely using kitty litter or a paint hardener before disposing of the cans with their lids removed.
Seasonal Information
Spring and Fall
April & SeptemberWayne Township hosts specialized Household Hazardous Waste and Confidential Document Shredding events. Check the Recycle Coach app for exact dates to safely dispose of oil paint, pesticides, and sensitive documents.
Winter
December to MarchDuring severe snowstorms, standard garbage and recycling routes may be delayed due to heavy volume or weather events. Leave missed collections at the curb; trucks will recover them as soon as roads are safely cleared.
Autumn
October to DecemberDuring peak leaf season, ensure all leaves are bagged in biodegradable paper bags or reusable cans under 35 gallons. Never rake loose leaves directly into the street, as this violates municipal stormwater pollution ordinances.
About Wayne Waste Management
Wayne's Dual-System Curbside Waste Collection
Wayne Township operates a comprehensive twice-a-week garbage collection schedule, managed directly through the Division of Recycling and Solid Waste. Residents must adhere to strict container limits; no standard garbage or commingled recycling bin may exceed 35 gallons or 50 pounds. This restriction is crucial, as heavier bins or oversized cans often result in bypassed collections by sanitation crews.
Alternating Single-Stream Recycling Weeks
In Wayne, recycling is not fully mixed. The township separates paper products from glass, plastics, and metals, collecting them on alternating weeks. Commingled items (like rinsed glass, aluminum, and #1-#7 plastics) go into hard reusable containers, while paper and cardboard must be bundled, placed in paper bags, or set in a separate rigid bin under 35 gallons. Never bag any recyclables in plastic.
Navigating the Bulky Item Collection Limits
Bulk garbage is seamlessly integrated into Wayne's regular refuse schedule, strictly designated for your second collection day of the week (either Thursday, Friday, or Saturday). Residents are permitted to place up to three non-metal bulk items, such as wood furniture or mattresses, at the curb. For small home repairs, you can dispose of one piece of construction debris per week alongside your bulk waste.
Strict Regulations for Curbside Yard Debris
Vegetative waste requires careful preparation in Wayne. Leaves, grass, and shrub trimmings must be in large paper bags, tied bundles, or reusable containers under 35 gallons and 50 pounds. Twigs and branches cannot exceed 4 feet in length or 4 inches in diameter. The township strictly prohibits placing any yard waste in plastic bags, and large logs or tree stumps will not be collected at the curb.
Utilizing the Wayne DPW Recycling Center
For excess waste, the Wayne Recycling Center located at 201 Dey Road is a vital resource, operating seven days a week from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. It serves as the exclusive drop-off point for residential electronics (e-waste) and small metal items under 50 pounds. White goods and large scrap metal over 50 pounds require a scheduled appointment for curbside pickup via the township portal.
Drop-off Facilities
Wayne Recycling Center
201 Dey Road, Wayne, NJ 07470
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weight and size limit for garbage cans in Wayne, NJ?
All refuse, recycling, and vegetative waste containers in Wayne Township cannot exceed 35 gallons in capacity and must weigh less than 50 pounds when full. Oversized or overweight bins will not be collected.
How do I get rid of an old refrigerator or washing machine?
Large metal items and white goods over 50 pounds, such as appliances or metal shelving, are picked up by appointment only. You must contact the Recycling Division by phone, through the Recycle Coach app, or via the Township website to schedule a pickup.
Can I throw a toilet away with my regular garbage?
Yes, but only on your designated bulk collection day (your second garbage day of the week). You are permitted to dispose of one piece of construction debris, such as a toilet or cabinet, per week. Major renovation debris requires a private dumpster.
What week do I put out my cardboard vs. my plastic bottles?
Wayne operates on an alternating weekly schedule for recycling. Commingled items (glass, plastic, and metal) are collected one week, and paper/cardboard are collected the next. You must check the township's Recycling Calendar or the Recycle Coach app to confirm your zone's current week.