Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for West Milford
Trash Day
Monday through Friday, determined by designated neighborhood collection zone (Zone 1 through Zone 5)
Recycling
Collected weekly on your designated zone collection day, alternating weekly between commingled containers (bottles, cans, plastics #1, #2, and #5) and paper/cardboard
Yard Waste
Curbside pickup is not provided on a weekly schedule; residents may drop off leaves, brush, and yard trimmings at the West Milford Recycling Center
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside trash and recycling services are covered by your general township municipal property taxes rather than a separate quarterly utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes (Quarterly tax billing)
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In-Person, ACH/Auto-Debit, Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
Eligible senior citizens (65+) and permanently disabled individuals may qualify for standard New Jersey property tax deductions through the Tax Collector's office.
Determined by Private Hauler Bin (Trash)
Trash collection is privately contracted. Residents must adhere to the bin size limits, weight restrictions, and schedules set by their independently hired hauling company.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household refuse
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Empty/dry latex paint cans (lids removed)
Resident-provided or Township-designated bins Bin (Recycling)
Place recyclables at the curb by 6:00 A.M. Ensure materials are secured against wind and wildlife. Do not bag recyclables in plastic.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Mixed paper and newspaper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers #1 and #2
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic shopping bags
- ✕Pizza boxes (greasy portions)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Household batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste management may require dropping off at designated recycling centers or coordinating seasonal pickups. Leaves should never be pushed into the street or storm drains.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush and small branches
- ✓Grass clippings (if permitted by hauler)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By private arrangement or self-hauling
Placement
Do not leave bulky items at the curb indefinitely. Only place them out on the exact date you have scheduled a confirmed pickup with your private hauler.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large household appliances (excluding freon)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paint
- ✕ Chemicals
- ✕ Tires (unless processed separately)
Fees apply for almost all bulk removals. Self-hauling to Skytop Recycling will incur a per-ton or per-cubic-yard disposal fee based on the material.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because trash is collected by private haulers, holiday delays (usually a one-day pushback) depend entirely on your specific company's policy. Municipal recycling collections may also slide one day following a major holiday.
Yard Waste Exception
The municipal DPW offices and any associated drop-off yards are closed on all state and federal holidays.
Always verify directly with your hired sanitation company regarding their specific holiday operations, as they may differ from the Township's municipal closure schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MaySpring clean-up often coincides with Passaic County's initial Household Hazardous Waste drop-off events. Check the county schedule to safely dispose of old shed and garage chemicals.
Fall
October - NovemberDuring autumn leaf drop, ensure that your yard debris does not block storm catch basins, which can cause localized flooding during heavy rainstorms. Utilize biodegradable paper bags if requested by your hauler.
Winter
December - MarchDuring severe snowstorms, keep all bins out of the street and tucked into your driveway apron so municipal plows can effectively clear the roads without knocking over your containers.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Scrap Metal? Where to Turn Your Old Junk into Cash in West Milford!
While we're all good about tossing our regular trash, sometimes you've got bigger metal items – like an old appliance or some scrap fencing – that don't fit in your bins. Instead of letting them go to waste, think about local scrap yards that might pay you for them! For folks in and around West Milford, checking out places like Totowa Recycling Center in Totowa or Newark Recycling Corp in Newark could be worth your while. These spots often take a variety of metals, turning your unwanted items into a little bit of extra cash. Always give them a quick call before you haul to see what they accept and if there are any weight requirements.
Giving Your Goodies a Second Life: Donation Spots Near West Milford
Before you toss out items that are still perfectly usable, why not pass them on to someone who could really use them? West Milford residents have some great options! You can look into donating clothing, housewares, and furniture to places like the Good Choice Thrift Shop in Haskell, which supports local community programs. Another fantastic spot is the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Wayne, where your donations help build homes for families in need, and you can often find some great deals yourself. Even smaller charities sometimes accept specific items, so it's always worth a quick search for what's closest and what they're looking for.
Keeping West Milford Clean: Tackling Bulky Items and Neighborhood Sprucing
We all want to keep West Milford beautiful, right? While the town has a schedule for bulky item pickup (which you've likely seen on your main schedule!), it's also good to know about other ways to manage waste responsibly. If you ever see large items or trash being dumped where it shouldn't be, the Passaic County Sheriff's Office is the go-to for reporting illegal dumping. They take it seriously to protect our environment. Keep an eye out for community clean-up days too – these are often organized by local groups and are a fantastic way to pitch in and make a real difference right in our own neighborhoods.
Drop-off Facilities
Skytop Recycling, Inc.
80 Airport Rd, West Milford, NJ 07480
Materials Accepted
West Milford DPW / Passaic County HHW Events
30 Lycosky Dr, West Milford, NJ 07480
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Why hasn't the township picked up my garbage?
The Township of West Milford does not provide curbside garbage collection. Homeowners are responsible for setting up an account and paying a private sanitation company (like Interstate Waste Services) to pick up their household trash.
How can I dispose of old electronics and televisions in West Milford?
Electronic waste is strictly banned from landfills in New Jersey. You cannot place TVs or computers in your regular trash. You must bring them to a designated Passaic County e-waste recycling event or an approved drop-off center.
Where can I get rid of leftover construction materials from a home project?
Your standard curbside hauler will likely not take heavy construction debris. You can bring materials like concrete, brick, clean wood, and rubble directly to Skytop Recycling on Airport Road in West Milford for a fee.
How do I protect my trash from bears?
West Milford has a high black bear population. It is strongly advised to use certified bear-resistant garbage cans, wash them regularly with ammonia or bleach to kill odors, and wait to put your trash out until the morning of your collection rather than the night before.