Trash & Recycling in Newark, NJ (2026)
9 verified trash & recycling rules for Newark, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Newark caps household trash at three receptacles per dwelling unit per collection day and 100 pounds per can under City Code Section 15:4-13. Loose refuse has to go in plastic bags at least 1.2 millimeters thick, never in grocery bags, and cans can't be filled higher than three inches below the rim.
Newark Rules for Bagging and Setting Out Trash
Some RestrictionsNewark, NJ City Code § 15:4-13(a), (e)
Solid waste shall be placed and stored in a sufficient and suitable receptacle as described in Section 15:1-1 of this Title. Solid waste shall be placed in plastic bags a minimum of 1.2 millimeters thick to prevent them from tearing or ripping when full and placed in the sufficient and suitable receptacle. The use of plastic grocery bags for the storage and disposal of refuse is prohibited. ......
Bin Placement Rules
Newark requires refuse receptacles to sit between the curb and sidewalk, or as close to that spot as possible without blocking pedestrians, under City Code Section 15:4-11. Cans can never be stored in the street, on the curb, or in the public right-of-way outside the set-out window, and overflowing bins are a separate violation the City can act on directly.
Newark Curbside Trash Can Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsNewark, NJ City Code § 15:4-11(a), (b)
The owner, lessee, tenant or other occupant of every privately owned building shall, in accordance with the times set forth in Section 15:4-10a. above, place or have placed all refuse material for collection in some convenient location outside of the building proper, between the curb and sidewalk, or if there is no space between the curb and sidewalk, but not in a manner to block pedestrian tra...
Bulk Item Disposal
Newark limits residential bulk waste, like furniture, appliances and mattresses, to 10 items per scheduled bulk collection day under City Code Section 15:4-11(f). Anything beyond 10 items must go through a licensed private hauler at the owner's expense, and the DPW can remove hazardous items itself and bill the property owner.
Newark Bulk Item Collection Limit and Fines
Some RestrictionsNewark, NJ City Code § 15:4-11(f)
Every privately owned residential property shall be limited to 10 bulk items that can be placed outside on the scheduled bulk collection day. [i] Each item over 10 bulk items shall be removed by a licensed private hauler, on the same day and at the owner's expense. [ii] Items placed outside that are determined by the Director of the DPW to be a hazard to public health, safety, and welfare shall...
Recycling Requirements
Newark requires every household, business and institution to separate recyclables from trash under the Newark Mandatory Recycling Regulations, Code Chapter 15:12. Cardboard, newspapers, glass jars, #1 and #2 plastics, metal cans, leaves and more must be pulled out of the regular waste stream before collection.
Newark Mandatory Recycling Separation Rules
Some RestrictionsNewark Code § 15:12-4(a)
Every generator in the City of Newark shall source separate the following items: used corrugated cardboard, newspapers, magazines, glass bottles and jars, plastic with #1 PETE and #2 HDPE containers such as milk, juice jugs, water bottles and soda bottles, food and beverage cans (aluminum and bi-metal), leaves, used motor oil, mixed high grade white paper, white goods, ferrous and other scrap m...
Illegal Dumping
Newark bans dumping litter, refuse or trade waste on any land, into a stormwater sewer, or into any waterway, and separately bans dumping from a vehicle or boat, under City Code Section 15:6-2. The City pays a $250 reward for information leading to a conviction under Section 15:6-6.
Newark Illegal Dumping Ban and Rewards
Heavy RestrictionsNewark, NJ City Code § 15:6-2(a), (b)
It shall be unlawful for any person to deposit, place or dump, or to permit the dumping, depositing or placing of any litter, solid waste, paper, rubbish, trade waste or refuse upon any land, in any stormwater sewer, or in any waterway of the City, except for those disposal methods permitted in 15:4-1 et seq., supra. It shall be unlawful for any person to deposit, place or dump or to permit the...
Yard Waste Collection
Newark bans sweeping, raking or blowing loose leaves, grass and branches into the street. City Code Section 15:5-2 requires yard waste to be containerized in biodegradable paper bags or another DPW-approved receptacle before it touches the street, to keep it out of storm drains.
Newark Yard Waste Containerization Requirement
Some RestrictionsNewark, NJ City Code § 15:5-2
The owner or occupant of any property, or any employee or contractor of such owner or occupant engaged to provide lawn care or landscaping services, shall not sweep, rake, blow, or otherwise place yard waste in the street unless the yard waste is containerized in biodegradable paper bags or other such receptacle approved by the Department of Public Works. If the yard waste is placed in the stre...
Dumpster Rules
Placing a dumpster or roll-off container on a Newark street or public right-of-way requires a Central Permit Office permit under City Code Section 15:4-17, a $13 per-container fee, and a $1,250 annual damage deposit. Unpermitted or hazardously placed equipment can be impounded by the Division of Police.
Newark Dumpster and Roll-Off Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsNewark, NJ City Code § 15:4-17(a), (b)
No mechanical refuse container equipment may be placed on a street or public right-of-way without a permit. An application for a permit must be submitted to the Central Permit Office with the required fee. The applicant shall specify thereon the size and location of the equipment and the duration of time the equipment will be at the location. ... The fee for a permit shall be the sum of $13 per...
Collection Schedule
Newark divides the city into two collection zones under City Code Section 15:4-10. Zone A gets curbside pickup Mondays and Thursdays; Zone B gets Tuesdays and Fridays, as designated by the Department of Public Works. Collection begins around midnight and normally wraps up by 6:00 a.m., so residents in the wrong zone lose a pickup if they set out on the wrong night.
Newark Trash Collection Days and Set-Out Hours
Some RestrictionsNewark, NJ City Code § 15:4-10(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person to place or cause to be placed, or permit to remain on the sidewalk, any receptacles or bundle containing refuse material during times other than on the evening before a collection day between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Collection days for Zone A shall be Mondays and Thursdays, and collection days for Zone B shall be Tuesdays and Fridays. Zones A a...
Recycling Rules
Newark limits when and how recyclables can go to the curb: containers go out only between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. the night before pickup, never in the street, on sidewalks, or bagged in plastic. Once set out, materials belong to the City and scavenging them is a separate offense.
Newark Curbside Recycling Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsNewark Code §§ 15:12-7 (Time of Placement) and 15:12-10 (Ownership and Packaging)
Recyclable materials to be collected by the City of Newark, or agents thereof, shall be placed at the curb on those days specifically specified by the City of Newark. In no event shall recyclable materials be placed in the street or the sidewalks, nor shall they be placed in plastic bags for collection. Recyclable materials shall be placed at the curb in proper durable reusable containers betwe...
Looking for Essex County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Newark city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Essex County →