Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Union City
Trash Day
Trash is collected twice per week based on street zone: 2nd to 21st Streets on Sunday and Wednesday nights; 21st to 36th Streets on Monday and Thursday nights; and 36th to 49th Streets on Tuesday and Friday nights.
Recycling
Recycling is collected once a week depending on your neighborhood zone (typically Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday). Residents can look up their specific street on the city's Recycle Coach tool.
Yard Waste
Collected on designated DPW clean-up days and seasonal schedules; check the Recycle Coach app for specific dates.
Set Out Time
Place containers curbside after 8:00 PM the night before collection or by 6:00 AM on collection day.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential curbside trash and recycling services are provided by the city and funded through municipal property taxes, so homeowners do not receive a separate trash utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In-Person, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
Eligible senior citizens and permanently disabled residents can apply for New Jersey Senior Freeze (PTR) property tax relief and senior property tax deduction programs through the Tax Collector's office.
Standard bins or thick plastic bags Bin (Trash)
Place at the curb after 7:00 PM the night before collection. Must be secured in thick plastic bags or strong garbage containers with tight-fitting lids.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food-contaminated pizza boxes
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Ceramics and glassware
Town-supplied receptacle or resident-provided bin Bin (Recycling)
Place curbside by 7:00 PM on your zone's designated night. Paper/cardboard must be bundled, boxed, or in brown bags separately from commingled plastics and glass.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles
- ✓Paper, cardboard, catalogs, and junk mail
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Ceramics or window glass
- ✕Food-contaminated foil or boxes
- ✕Motor oil containers
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste collections follow seasonal DPW guidelines. Call the DPW at (201) 348-5840 for specific yard debris instructions and collection schedules.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Varies by request (Contact DPW)
Placement
Contact the DPW at (201) 348-5840 to confirm the exact placement rules and scheduling for heavy bulk items in your specific street zone.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Wooden furniture
- ✓ Couches
- ✓ Appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Motor oil
- ✕ Oil-based paints
- ✕ Pesticides
- ✕ Large automotive parts
Municipal collection is provided for standard residential bulk, but large-scale construction or renovation debris must be hauled away privately by a contractor.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Garbage and recycling schedules may shift during major national holidays. The DPW typically posts specific makeup collection days on the city's official website and pushes notifications via the Recycle Coach app.
Yard Waste Exception
Street cleaning and specialized yard waste pickups are suspended on all observed municipal holidays.
Always verify holiday schedule changes directly through the Union City DPW portal or by calling the Clean Communities coordinator at (201) 348-5839.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Say No to Plastic Bags
Never place your bottles, cans, or paper in plastic garbage or grocery bags. The Union City DPW will reject recyclables left in plastic bags because the plastic film damages the mechanical sorting equipment.
Pizza Boxes Are Usually Trash
While clean cardboard is highly recyclable, cardboard soaked in grease and melted cheese is not. Throw your used, food-contaminated pizza boxes into the regular garbage, not the recycling bin.
Ceramics Are Not Glass
Do not put broken drinking glasses, window glass, ceramic mugs, or vases into your recycling bin. These materials melt at a different temperature than container glass and will ruin an entire recycling batch.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to MarchDuring severe winter snowstorms, standard garbage collection may be delayed so DPW crews can prioritize plowing the streets curb-to-curb. Check the Union City website for weather-related suspensions.
Autumn
October to DecemberFall leaf collection schedules are announced seasonally by the DPW. Leaves must typically be placed in biodegradable paper bags rather than plastic to ensure proper municipal composting.
Year-Round
January to DecemberDownload the free Recycle Coach app, actively supported by Union City, to get real-time notifications about collection day changes, holiday delays, and specific seasonal drop-off events.
About Union City Waste Management
Understanding Union City's Three-Zone Collection Schedule
Union City manages its densely populated streets by dividing the city into three specific collection zones. Zone 1 covers 2nd Street to 21st Street, Zone 2 spans from the north side of 21st Street to 36th Street (including all of Summit Avenue), and Zone 3 encompasses 37th Street to 49th Street. Trash is collected twice a week in each zone, and all garbage or recycling must strictly be placed at the curb only after 7:00 PM on the night before your scheduled collection to minimize daytime sidewalk clutter and maintain neighborhood aesthetics.
Strict Separation for Paper and Commingled Recyclables
The Union City DPW requires residents to carefully separate their recycling materials. Paper and cardboard cannot be mixed with your plastic bottles and cans. Instead, mixed paper and flattened cardboard must be placed in brown paper bags, tied in secure bundles, placed in a cardboard box, or deposited in a town-supplied receptacle. Absolutely no plastic bags can be used for recycling, as they act as 'tanglers' and severely jam the municipal sorting facilities.
Curbside Electronic Waste Pickup
Unlike many municipalities that require residents to haul heavy electronics to a county dump, Union City offers a highly convenient curbside solution. Electronic waste—including computers, printers, and televisions—can simply be placed curbside next to your standard recycling bins on your designated recycling night. Alternatively, for immediate disposal, residents can drop off e-waste at the city's dedicated facility located at 511 Paterson Plank Road by contacting the DPW.
Prohibited Items in the Blue Bin
Contamination is a major focus for Union City's Clean Communities program. Certain everyday items that seem recyclable are strictly banned from the curbside bins. These include pizza boxes contaminated with food grease, styrofoam takeout containers, ceramic mugs, glassware, and old-style incandescent light bulbs. These items must be thrown out with the regular household garbage in thick plastic bags or tightly lidded containers.
Drop-off Facilities
Union City E-Waste Drop-Off Center
511 Paterson Plank Road, Union City, NJ 07087
Materials Accepted
Union City Department of Public Works
2801 New York Ave, Union City, NJ 07087
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time can I put my garbage out in Union City?
Garbage and recycling must be placed at the curb after 7:00 PM on the night before your scheduled collection day. It must be stored in thick plastic bags or a sturdy garbage container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent litter.
How do I throw away an old TV or computer in Union City, NJ?
Union City allows you to place electronic waste curbside next to your regular recycling on your designated recycling night. You can also contact the DPW to drop it off at the E-Waste facility at 511 Paterson Plank Road.
What is my trash pickup zone in Union City?
Zone 1 is from 2nd to 21st Street. Zone 2 is from 21st Street to 36th Street, plus all of Summit Ave. Zone 3 is from 37th Street to 49th Street. Each zone has specific nights for their twice-weekly garbage collection.
Can I recycle pizza boxes and styrofoam in Union City?
No. Food-contaminated pizza boxes, styrofoam containers, and foil items are considered household trash. They cannot go in your recycling bins and must be thrown away with your regular garbage.