Jersey City Trash Pickup Schedule, Recycling & Bulk 2026
Find your JCDPW collection days, recycling schedule, bulk pickup rules, and holiday delays for Jersey City.
City of Jersey City · Department of Public Works (JCDPW) · Division of Sanitation · Updated 2026
Find Your Jersey City Collection Days
Select your neighborhood area to instantly see your garbage days, recycling day, and bulk pickup rules. Trash is collected twice a week in Jersey City — recycling once a week.
👈 Select your area above to see your complete Jersey City collection schedule.
⚠ Not sure which area you’re in? Use the official Garbage Collection Map or call 201-547-4400. See all contact options ↓
Jersey City Waste Collection — Quick Facts
The Jersey City Department of Public Works (JCDPW) Division of Sanitation provides twice-weekly curbside garbage collection and once-weekly recycling to residential properties across the city’s three collection zones. Bulk waste is included with regular garbage days — no separate service required. Recycling in Jersey City uses a two-category separated system (commingled + paper), not single-stream.
Jersey City’s Two-Stream Collection — Three Zone Schedule
Every residential address in Jersey City is served by one of three garbage zones, each with a two-day-per-week garbage schedule. Recycling is collected once a week on a separate day (call JCDPW at 201-547-4400 to confirm your recycling day). All materials go out the evening before, between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM.
Recycling Container — Commingled
Plastics, glass bottles & jars, aluminum cans, metal cans, milk cartons, drink boxes, food containers, laundry detergent bottles, shampoo bottles, household cleaner containers.
Weekly • Never in plastic bagsGarbage + Paper Recycling
Regular garbage collected twice a week. Paper recycling (newspapers, magazines, cardboard, office paper) must be tied or placed in a container, set out with garbage. Bulk items (up to 4 per day) set out on garbage days.
2× per week • Call to schedule bulk📍 The Three Collection Zones
| Zone | Garbage Days | Areas Served |
|---|---|---|
| Zone A | Monday & Thursday | Hudson City Area (east of Central Ave to Paterson Plank Rd, between depressed highway and Union City line) • Country Village • Bergen Section (east of Cornelison Ave between Lexington Ave and Highland Ave) • Downtown (east of Cornelison Ave to Hudson River; residential between Christopher Columbus Dr and Light Rail R/R cut; Lafayette Section) |
| Zone B | Tuesday & Friday | Hudson City Area (Central Ave west to Tonnelle Ave and Secaucus Rd / 8th St and the depressed highway) • Downtown (east of NJ Turnpike Extension to Hudson River, between Newark Ave and Hoboken city line) • Bergen–Greenville (east of West Side Ave to Garfield Ave, between Bramhall Ave and Bayview Ave) |
| Zone C | Wednesday & Saturday | West Side–Greenville (West Side Ave east to Ocean Ave between Audubon Ave and Danforth Ave) • Greenville (east of Country Village to Princeton Ave, between Danforth Ave and Bayonne city line) • West Side–Marion (West Side Ave west to Route 440 and US 1&9, between Fisk St and Van Reypen St) |
⏰ Set-Out Rules
- Place all materials curbside no earlier than 7:00 PM and no later than 10:00 PM the night before your scheduled collection day.
- Containers must be fully closed and accessible from the curb.
- Recycling must be in a recycling container or securely tied bundle — never in plastic bags.
- Mattresses must be wrapped in plastic before placing curbside for bulk pickup.
- Bulk items (furniture, appliances, etc.) must be called in to 201-547-4400 to schedule — up to 4 items per collection day.
Jersey City Holiday Trash Collection Schedule 2026
The JCDPW Division of Sanitation observes major public holidays. When a holiday falls on a collection day, service is typically delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. Always confirm by calling 201-547-4400 or checking jerseycitynj.gov before and after holidays, as JCDPW publishes specific holiday notices on their website.
| Holiday | 2026 Date | Impact | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thu, Jan 1 | Possible Delay | Zone A (Mon/Thu) may shift — confirm with JCDPW. Zone B & C: watch for announcement. |
| MLK Day | Mon, Jan 19 | Likely Normal | Zone A Monday pickup may shift. Confirm at 201-547-4400. |
| Presidents’ Day | Mon, Feb 16 | Likely Normal | Confirm with JCDPW; many NJ municipalities work this day. |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 25 | Possible Delay | Zone A Monday pickup affected. Confirm announcement at 201-547-4400. |
| Independence Day | Sat, Jul 4 | Possible Delay | Zone C Saturday pickup may be delayed. Confirm with JCDPW. |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 7 | Possible Delay | Zone A Monday pickup affected. All zones: check for shift announcement. |
| Columbus Day | Mon, Oct 12 | Likely Normal | Confirm with JCDPW. Many NJ cities collect as normal. |
| Veterans’ Day | Wed, Nov 11 | Likely Normal | Zone C Wednesday pickup may be affected. Confirm at 201-547-4400. |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 26 | Possible Delay | Zone A Thursday pickup affected. Confirm 1-day delay for rest of week. |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 25 | Possible Delay | Zone B Friday pickup affected. Zone C Saturday may shift. Confirm at 201-547-4400. |
Jersey City Recycling — Two-Category Separated System
Jersey City does not use single-stream recycling. You must separate your recyclables into two distinct categories and place each in its own container or bundle. Both categories go out on the same night, once per week. Do not place recyclables in plastic bags — bags require different equipment and cannot be processed. Recycle plastic bags at a local ShopRite or Target.
✅ Category 1 — Commingled Container
All in one recycling bin or container:
- Glass bottles & food jars (soda, beer, liquor, food)
- Aluminum cans, metal cans (not paint cans)
- Milk cartons and drink boxes
- Plastic milk containers, food containers
- Household cleaner containers, laundry detergent bottles
- Shampoo bottles and related plastic containers
- Water containers
✅ Category 2 — Paper Bundle or Container
Tied bundle or separate recycling bin:
- Newspapers, magazines, junk mail
- School, office, and computer paper
- Telephone books
- Cardboard boxes, corrugated boxes (flattened)
- Cereal boxes, pasta boxes, laundry detergent boxes
- Pizza box (if minimal cheese/oil — if soaked, it’s trash)
🚫 Never in Either Recycling Category
- Plastic bags or plastic film → drop off at ShopRite or Target
- Paint cans (oil-based) → drop off at DPW Main Office
- Styrofoam or polystyrene
- Food-soiled items beyond the pizza box exception
- Electronics or batteries → call JCDPW for special pickup
- Appliances (refrigerators, AC units) → call 201-547-4400
Jersey City Bulk Item Pickup — Included with Regular Garbage
Jersey City provides curbside bulk item pickup on your regular garbage days. You may put out up to 4 bulk items per collection day. You must call JCDPW at 201-547-4400 to schedule your bulk pickup in advance. Items go out with your regular garbage on your normal collection days.
📅 How to Schedule Bulk Pickup
- Call JCDPW at 201-547-4400 to schedule your bulk pickup. Have your address and a list of items ready.
- Place items curbside between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM the night before your scheduled garbage collection day.
- Keep bulk items separate from regular garbage bags and recycling containers.
- Mattresses must be wrapped in plastic before placement at the curb.
- For refrigerators, air conditioners, stoves, washers, and dryers (white goods): special collection is required by law — call 201-547-4400 (9 AM–4 PM, Mon–Fri) to schedule a separate appointment.
- For electronics (TVs, computers, radios): call 201-547-4400 to schedule a separate e-waste pickup appointment.
✅ Accepted Bulk Items
- Furniture: sofas, chairs, tables, dressers, bed frames
- Mattresses (wrapped in plastic)
- Carpets and rugs
- Clean untreated/unpainted wood (under 4 ft)
- Up to 4 items per collection day
🚫 Requires Separate Scheduling
- Refrigerators, AC units, stoves, dryers, washers → call 201-547-4400
- TVs, computers, electronics → call 201-547-4400
- Clean wood over 4 ft → drop off at DPW Mon–Fri 8 AM–3 PM
- Construction or demolition debris → not accepted
- Tires → drop off at DPW main office
- Hazardous materials → see Special Waste below
Special Waste, Hazardous Materials & Electronics in Jersey City
Jersey City handles special and hazardous waste through the JCDPW Drop-Off Center at 13–15 Linden Avenue East and through scheduled curbside appointments for appliances and electronics. The Hudson County Improvement Authority (HCIA) also organizes periodic hazardous waste collection events.
🚩 JCDPW Drop-Off Center
13–15 Linden Avenue East, Jersey City, NJ 07305
Monday – Friday • 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Accepts: tires, oil-based paint, motor oil, antifreeze, clean untreated wood over 4 ft. Proof of residency required for some items.
🚩 HCIA Hazardous Waste Events
Hudson County Improvement Authority
Periodic HHW collection events • Check hcia.org for upcoming dates
Accepts: household chemicals, paint, electronics, batteries, and more.
| Item | How to Dispose |
|---|---|
| Oil-based paint cans | Drop off at JCDPW Main Office Mon–Fri 8 AM–3 PM. Proof of residency required. |
| Latex paint cans | Once fully rinsed and lids removed, can go in regular garbage at curb. |
| Motor oil / antifreeze | Drop off at JCDPW Main Office Mon–Fri 8 AM–3 PM. 5-gallon limit per person. Proof of residency required. |
| Tires | Drop off Mon–Fri 8 AM–3 PM at JCDPW (15 Linden Ave East). First 4 tires free; additional car tires $3 each, truck tires $10 each. Proof of residency required. |
| Refrigerators / AC units / white goods | Curbside pickup by appointment. Call 201-547-4400 (Mon–Fri 9 AM–4 PM). Special collection required by law. |
| Electronics (TVs, computers, radios) | Curbside pickup by appointment. Call 201-547-4400 (Mon–Fri 9 AM–4 PM). Special collection required. |
| Alkaline batteries | Can be placed in regular curbside garbage. No drop-off required. |
| Clean untreated wood (over 4 ft) | Drop off at JCDPW Mon–Fri 8 AM–3 PM. Untreated, unpainted only. |
| Tree branches (under 4 ft) | Curbside on Wednesdays by appointment only. Call Forestry Dept.: 201-547-4449. |
Yard Waste & Leaf Collection in Jersey City
Jersey City provides curbside leaf collection from October through December using a district-based biweekly schedule. Free biodegradable brown paper bags are provided for leaf collection. Never use plastic bags for leaves — they will not be collected.
🍂 2025/2026 Leaf Collection Schedule
Curbside leaf collection runs from October through December. The city divides into North & East Districts and South & West Districts, each with alternating biweekly collection dates. Set leaf bags curbside on Wednesday evenings for early morning Thursday collection.
- South & West Districts: Oct 16, Oct 30, Nov 13, Nov 27, Dec 11, Dec 25 (2025 dates; 2026 dates TBA — check jerseycitynj.gov)
- North & East Districts: Oct 9, Oct 23, Nov 6, Nov 20, Dec 4, Dec 18 (2025 dates; 2026 dates TBA)
- Find your district on the official leaf district map.
🎃 Free Leaf Bags — Distribution Locations
Free biodegradable brown paper leaf bags are available at several parks on Saturdays (12 PM–3 PM) from October through December, and Monday–Friday at the JCDPW Municipal Services Complex (13–15 Linden Ave East, 9 AM–3 PM). Proof of residency required. Parks include Lincoln Park, Pershing Field, Hamilton Park, Van Vorst Park, Audubon Park, and others — check jerseycitynj.gov for current season dates.
🎄 Christmas Tree Collection
Christmas trees are collected curbside every Thursday in January citywide. Place your tree curbside on Wednesday evenings between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM. Do not wrap or bag the tree. Remove all lights, ornaments, and decorations before placing at the curb.
Composting Drop-Off Sheds — Free for Jersey City Residents
Jersey City operates a network of community composting drop-off sheds across the city. Residents can drop off food scraps and organic materials at no charge. The program is managed by the Division of Recycling.
🌿 Brunswick Community Garden
174–176 Brunswick St.
🌿 Canco Park
70 Dey St.
🌿 City Hall
280 Grove St. (along Mercer St.)
🌿 Five Corners Library
678 Newark Ave.
🌿 Hamilton Park
8th & McWilliam Place • 9th & Jersey Ave.
🌿 Pershing Field
Corner of Ferry St. and Central Ave.
🌿 Paulus Hook
Washington and Dudley Streets
🌿 Riverview Community Garden
285 Ogden Ave. (Farmer’s Market)
What to Do If Your Trash Wasn’t Collected in Jersey City
- Confirm your zone and days. Use the Collection Day Finder above or the official Garbage Collection Map. Call 201-547-4400 to confirm your garbage and recycling days.
- Check for a holiday delay. Around major holidays, JCDPW may shift collection by one day. Check jerseycitynj.gov or call 201-547-4400.
- Verify set-out time and placement. All materials must be out between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM the night before. Recycling must be in containers or tied bundles — never in plastic bags.
- Check for contamination. If prohibited items were mixed into recycling, collectors may skip it. Remove offending materials before next week.
- Report the missed pickup. Call JCDPW at 201-547-4400 or report via SeeClickFix at seeclickfix.com/jersey-city.
Jersey City Trash & Recycling Tips Every Resident Should Know
🏠 New to Jersey City or Just Moved In?
Use the Collection Day Finder above or call 201-547-4400 to confirm your specific garbage days (twice a week) and your recycling day (once a week). Jersey City uses a two-category recycling system — not single-stream. You need two separate containers or bundles for recycling. The official Garbage Collection Map shows your zone at a glance.
🚫 5 Common Mistakes Jersey City Residents Make
- Putting recyclables in plastic bags — always use a container or tied bundle; bags jam equipment
- Setting materials out too early — the legal set-out window is 7 PM to 10 PM the night before only
- Mixing paper and commingled items in the same container — Jersey City requires two separate categories
- Placing refrigerators or AC units at the curb without calling first — special scheduling required by law
- Forgetting that bulk items require a call to 201-547-4400 — you can put out up to 4 bulk items per day, but only after scheduling
⚒ Dumpster Rentals
The JCDPW offers dumpster rentals for residents. Call 201-547-4400 for availability, pricing, and scheduling. Dumpsters are dropped off and picked up at your property.
Contact JCDPW — Jersey City Sanitation & Recycling
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| JCDPW Sanitation & Recycling | 📞 201-547-4400 — garbage & recycling questions, bulk pickup scheduling, missed pickups, appliance/e-waste pickup appointments, dumpster rental |
| Forestry Department | 📞 201-547-4449 — tree branch curbside pickup (Wednesdays by appointment) |
| Resident Response Center (RRC) | 📞 201-547-4900 — street sweeping schedule questions |
| JCDPW Main Office / Drop-Off Center | 13–15 Linden Avenue East, Jersey City, NJ 07305 • Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–3:00 PM • Tires, oil-based paint, motor oil, antifreeze, wood drop-off |
| JCDPW Website | jerseycitynj.gov/cityhall/dpw/sanitation — holiday announcements, schedule updates |
| Official Garbage Collection Map | Interactive zone map — enter your address to find your collection zone |
| Recycling Division | jerseycitynj.gov/cityhall/dpw/recycle • Janille Veloz, Recycling Aide: 201-547-4913 |
| SeeClickFix (Illegal Dumping) | seeclickfix.com/jersey-city — report illegal dumping, overgrown lots |
| HCIA Hazardous Waste Events | hcia.org — Hudson County HHW collection event calendar |
Frequently Asked Questions — Jersey City Trash Pickup
Still Can’t Find Your Collection Day?
If the Collection Day Finder at the top of this page and all the information above haven’t resolved your question, use the official Garbage Collection Map below or contact JCDPW directly. Enter your address in the interactive map to find your exact zone and days.
🔍 Official JCDPW Lookup & Contact Options
The following resources are free and will confirm your exact garbage and recycling days, zone, and schedule:
🔍 Open Garbage Collection Map 📞 Call 201-547-4400| Interactive Zone Map | Find your zone and garbage days by address at the official Garbage Collection Map (hosted at jerseycitynj.gov). |
| JCDPW Phone | 201-547-4400 — garbage & recycling questions, bulk pickup, missed pickups, appliance/e-waste appointments, holiday schedule confirmation. |
| Sanitation Page | jerseycitynj.gov/cityhall/dpw/sanitation — official schedule updates, holiday announcements, drop-off center info. |
| Recycling Page | jerseycitynj.gov/cityhall/dpw/recycle — recycling guidelines, leaf collection, composting drop-off locations, HCIA events. |
| SeeClickFix | seeclickfix.com/jersey-city — report missed pickups, illegal dumping, overgrown lots. |
You will leave this website when using any of the links above. The JCDPW is the authoritative source for your collection zone, days, and holiday schedule.
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