Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for West Milford
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.
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
!Contamination Tips
Never Bag Your Recyclables
Plastic garbage bags and grocery bags jam the automated sorting machinery at Passaic County recycling facilities. Always keep your bottles, cans, and paper loose inside your recycling bin.
Styrofoam is Not Curbside Recyclable
Despite having a recycling triangle on the bottom, Styrofoam (EPS) packaging and food containers cannot be placed in your curbside recycling bin. It must be thrown in the regular trash or taken to a specialized drop-off center.
Separate Your Greasy Cardboard
Oil and grease from pizza boxes destroy the paper recycling process. Tear the box in half; throw the grease-stained bottom in the trash and place only the clean, dry lid in your recycling.
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.
About West Milford Waste Management
Navigating Waste Management in West Milford's Highlands
Nestled within the New Jersey Highlands, West Milford takes a decentralized approach to household waste. The township does not provide municipal curbside garbage collection; instead, homeowners must independently contract with private hauling companies such as Interstate Waste Services or Republic Services. Because of this, your weekly trash day, bin limits, and specific garbage rules will be dictated entirely by your chosen provider's policies rather than a centralized township calendar.
Mandatory Recycling Protocols in Passaic County
While garbage is privatized, West Milford operates a robust municipal recycling program in strict compliance with Passaic County mandates. The Recycling and Solid Waste Department oversees curbside recycling, which typically requires residents to separate mixed paper and cardboard from commingled glass, plastics, and aluminum. Carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. to guarantee collection, as routing times can fluctuate based on weather and driver schedules.
Utilizing Skytop Recycling and Regional Facilities
For extensive home renovations or major property cleanups, curbside bins won't suffice. Fortunately, West Milford is home to Skytop Recycling on Airport Road, a Class B recycling facility that accepts construction debris, stumps, concrete, and large bulk items from homeowners and contractors alike. This local facility is a critical asset for properly disposing of heavy materials that your private hauler will likely refuse at the curb.
Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Events
Given the township's expansive watershed and environmentally sensitive lakes, properly disposing of toxic materials is paramount. The Passaic County Office of Solid Waste routinely hosts Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) drop-off events, frequently utilizing the West Milford DPW yard on Lycosky Drive as a host site. Residents must securely transport old pesticides, oil-based paints, pool chemicals, and anti-freeze to these specific events, as they are strictly banned from normal trash streams.
Bear-Proofing Your Curbside Containers
West Milford's heavily wooded environment means that black bears are a regular part of neighborhood life. To prevent attracting wildlife, residents are strongly encouraged to use certified bear-resistant garbage containers and to regularly wash them with disinfectant. Furthermore, it is highly recommended to wait until the absolute morning of your collection day to place food waste at the curb, rather than leaving it out overnight where it becomes an easy meal for roaming bears.
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.