Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Paterson
Trash Day
Trash is collected twice per week, Monday through Saturday, depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Recycling is collected once per week on your designated zone pickup day.
Yard Waste
Leaves and vegetative yard waste are collected seasonally on your scheduled recycling day.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day (set out no earlier than 6:00 PM the evening before)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash and recycling collection is a municipal service funded through local property taxes, so there is no separate utility trash bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Eligible seniors and disabled homeowners may qualify for New Jersey property tax relief deductions.
Standard heavy-duty trash cans or thick bags Bin (Trash)
Trash must be placed curbside no earlier than 5:00 PM and no later than 7:00 PM the night before your scheduled collection days.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household refuse
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Soiled paper and greasy cardboard (like pizza boxes)
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Any reusable recycling bin (no plastic bags) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be at the curb by 6:00 AM. Commingled glass/plastic/metal must be loose in a bin. Cardboard and paper must be bundled or placed in brown paper bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics (Codes 1, 2, and 5)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and mixed paper
- ✓Flattened and bundled corrugated cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam (meat trays, cups)
- ✕Waxed cardboard containers
- ✕Window glass or mirrors
- ✕Plastic hangers
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste is collected seasonally from April through early December. Leaves must be in biodegradable paper bags or reusable bins. Brush must be bundled and tied. Absolutely no plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush
- ✓Branches (max 4-foot length, 2-inch diameter)
- ✓Vegetative waste
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By scheduled appointment only
Placement
Place items curbside only after your pickup is officially scheduled. Items must be able to be safely handled by two people.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and wooden furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Rolled carpets and linoleum
- ✓ Lawnmowers (free of gas and oil)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction materials and drywall
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, oil)
- ✕ Car parts and engines
- ✕ Regular household trash
The first curbside bulk pickup is free. Subsequent pickups cost $50 each. Alternatively, residents can drop bulk items off at the City Yard for free with a valid Paterson ID.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
There is no recycling collection on major holidays. If a holiday falls on your recycling day, your pickup will simply occur on your NEXT scheduled day for that area (not the following day or week).
Yard Waste Exception
Holiday scheduling primarily impacts the DPW recycling routes. For regular trash (handled by FILCO), residents should check the Recycle Coach app for specific holiday shift announcements.
Always tune into Cablevision Channel 73 or check the Recycle Coach app for real-time announcements regarding holiday schedule shifts.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Ditch the Plastic Bags
Never place your bottles, cans, or paper inside plastic grocery bags. The City of Paterson is charged extra processing fees each time plastic bags are found mixed into a recycling truck, and your bin will be left at the curb.
Bundle Your Cardboard
Do not simply stack loose cardboard boxes or stuff them inside one another. All corrugated cardboard must be completely broken down, flattened, and securely tied with twine before being placed outside on recycling day.
Pizza Box Reality Check
If the bottom half of your pizza box is soaked in grease and melted cheese, it is considered household trash. Only the clean, unsoiled top half can be ripped off and placed with your cardboard recycling.
Seasonal Information
Spring/Summer
April to NovemberCurbside collection of yard waste and leaves strictly begins in early April. Do not place yard waste out during the winter months, as the DPW trucks will not be running these specialized routes.
Fall
October to DecemberAutumn leaf collection concludes in early December. Ensure all leaves are packed in brown paper bags, as leaves mixed with stones, dirt, or regular trash will be rejected by collection crews.
Winter
December to MarchDuring heavy snowstorms, avoid placing trash cans or bulk items directly in the street where they can obstruct snowplows. Use the Paterson Alerts system to monitor any weather-related collection delays.
About Paterson Waste Management
Navigating Paterson's Twice-Weekly Trash Collection
The City of Paterson partners with FILCO to handle regular household garbage collection, providing reliable twice-a-week pickups [1.4.1]. To ensure timely service, residents must determine their specific garbage zone using the city's official map or the Recycle Coach app. Trash must be placed at the curb between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM the evening before your scheduled pickup. If you experience a missed trash collection, residents are instructed to contact FILCO directly at 1-(833)-GO-FILCO rather than the local DPW.
The New Era of Bulk Waste Scheduling
Paterson recently overhauled its bulk waste collection program to improve efficiency and reduce municipal costs. Heavy household items are no longer collected alongside regular trash. Instead, residents must request an appointment through the Recycle Coach Bulky Tool or at PatersonNJ.gov/BulkPickup. Your first curbside bulk pickup of the year is completely free; however, subsequent pickups will incur a $50 fee per appointment. Alternatively, dropping off bulk items at the City Yard remains free of charge for residents.
Strict Mattress Encasing and White Goods Rules
Health and safety protocols in Paterson require all mattresses and box springs to be completely wrapped and sealed in plastic before they can be left at the curb or brought to the City Yard. For 'white goods' like refrigerators, stoves, and air conditioners, residents must call the Recycling Office to arrange a special pickup, and it is legally mandated that all refrigerator doors be removed prior to set-out to prevent child entrapment.
Source-Separated Recycling Regulations
Paterson strictly enforces source separation for its weekly recycling collections. Commingled items—such as plastic bottles, glass jars, and tin cans—must be placed loosely into a reusable container. In contrast, fibrous materials like cardboard must be completely flattened and tied into bundles, while newspapers should be placed in brown paper bags or tied with string. Mixing these streams or tossing recyclables into plastic garbage bags will result in rejected pickups and potential municipal fines.
City Yard Operations on East 16th Street
The Paterson City Yard, located at 402 East 16th Street, serves as the primary drop-off hub for residents looking to dispose of bulk waste, tires, and excess recyclables. The facility is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and on Sundays from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Keep in mind that the yard strictly closes every day between 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM, and residents must present a valid photo ID to prove Paterson residency before entering.
Drop-off Facilities
Paterson City Yard (DPW Drop-Off Center)
402 East 16th Street, Paterson, NJ 07514
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a bulk waste pickup in Paterson?
You can schedule a bulk waste pickup using the Recycle Coach app or by visiting PatersonNJ.gov/BulkPickup. Your first curbside pickup is free, but any subsequent pickups will cost $50. You can also drop items off for free at the City Yard on East 16th Street.
Does Paterson collect recycling on holidays?
No. If a major holiday falls on your designated recycling day, your recycling will not be picked up. Instead, you must wait until your next regularly scheduled recycling day for your specific area (it does not simply push back by one day).
Are there special rules for throwing away a mattress?
Yes. Any mattress or box spring placed at the curb for a scheduled bulk pickup, or dropped off at the City Yard, must be completely wrapped and sealed in a plastic bag. This is a mandatory health and safety requirement.
Who do I call if my regular garbage isn't picked up?
Regular household garbage in Paterson is collected by a private partner, FILCO. If you experience a missed trash pickup, you should contact FILCO directly at 1-(833)-GO-FILCO (1-833-463-4526).