Trash & Recycling in Paterson, NJ (2026)
9 verified trash & recycling rules for Paterson, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Paterson requires its trash collectors to use covered, leakproof trucks, avoid spilling material in the street, and haul each load to disposal the same day it's picked up.
Paterson Solid Waste Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 427-9
Every collector shall collect and transport all ashes, refuse and garbage by such means and in such manner so that none of such material, solid or liquid, shall escape and drop upon the ground and that all reasonably avoidable noise incident to the collection and transportation of such material shall be prevented. ... All vehicles used for said collection must be maintained in good working orde...
Bin Placement Rules
Paterson caps rigid trash containers at 70 pounds combined weight, requires tight-fitting lids, and limits businesses to 20 curbside receptacles on any collection day.
Paterson Garbage Receptacle Standards
Some RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 427-6
The combined weight from any rigid refuse container and its contents shall not exceed 70 pounds. Liquid wastes shall not be placed in containers of any kind. ... No restaurant, hotel, storekeeper, shopkeeper, market or other place of business served by the City shall allow, permit or suffer the placement of more than 20 receptacles or other containers utilized for the disposal of garbage and re...
Bulk Item Disposal
Paterson residents must schedule bulk item pickup with Public Works before curbside placement, and can't set items out before 6 p.m. the night before the scheduled date.
Paterson Bulk Waste Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 427-45
No person shall place bulk waste curbside without first scheduling for collection of said bulk waste with the Paterson Department of Public Works. No material intended for collection shall be placed or allowed to be placed on the sidewalk for collection prior to 6:00 p.m. local prevailing time of the day before such materials are scheduled to be collected.
Recycling Requirements
Paterson designates newspaper, glass, cans, plastics, cardboard, scrap metal, tires, oil and yard waste as required recyclables, and buildings over four units must file a written recycling plan.
Paterson Mandatory Recycling Requirements
Some RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 427-19
Residential: newspaper, glass, food and beverage containers, aluminum beverage containers, tin and bimetal cans, plastic containers, corrugated cardboard, mixed paper, white goods, ferrous and nonferrous scrap metals, construction and demolition debris, tires, used motor oil, automotive batteries, leaves, brush and grass. B. Commercial: newspaper, glass, food and beverage containers, aluminu...
Illegal Dumping
Paterson prohibits dumping litter, debris or refuse on any open or vacant private property, occupied or not, with violators facing fines up to $2,000 and up to 90 days in jail.
Paterson Bans Dumping on Vacant Lots
Some RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 313-14
No person shall throw or deposit litter on any open or vacant private property whether owned by such person or not.
Yard Waste Collection
Paterson only allows loose leaves and grass at the curb during the seven days before a scheduled collection, and bans placing it within 10 feet of any storm drain inlet.
Paterson Yard Waste Curb Rules
Some RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 427-39
Sweeping, raking, blowing or otherwise placing yard waste that is not containerized at the curb or along the street is only allowed during the seven days prior to a scheduled and announced collection and shall not be placed closer than 10 feet from any storm drain inlet. Placement of such yard waste at the curb or along the street at any other time or in any other manner is a violation of this ...
Dumpster Rules
Paterson allows debris boxes and roll-off dumpsters on the public sidewalk or street only in the B-3A commercial zone, only from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m., and only if labeled and reflectorized.
Paterson Commercial Dumpster Placement
Some RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 435-90C
In a B-3A Zone, nothing in this article shall be construed to prohibit the placement of containers and debris transfer bodies, including Dempsey Dumpsters, on the public sidewalk and street during the hours of 3:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., provided that such do not occupy more than 1/3 of the street, that such containers prominently display the name, address and telephone number of the owner of the ...
Collection Schedule
Paterson's Solid Waste ordinance defines residential trash as garbage and rubbish put at the curb for regular twice-weekly municipal collection, not the single weekly pickup common in many towns.
Paterson Trash Collected Twice Weekly
Some RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 427-18
All garbage and rubbish normally placed at the curb by the residents of the City for regular twice-weekly municipal collection. TIN AND BIMETAL CANS All metal and containers other than aluminum. [Added 10-13-1992 by Ord. No. 92-051] TIRES All truck or passenger auto tires that are retreaded, remanufactured or recapped. [Added 10-13-1992 by Ord. No. 92-051] USED MOTOR OIL All oil from in...
Recycling Rules
Paterson requires leaves and grass bagged in intact clear or biodegradable bags, newspaper bundles under 50 pounds, and rinsed glass or metal set out no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before pickup.
Paterson Recycling Prep Rules
Some RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 427-21
Leaves, grass clippings and minimal brush placed at curbside shall be contained in either clear plastic or biodegradable bags. The bags shall be intact and not torn by their contents. (b) Bulky brush and tree limbs placed at curbside shall be cut and tied. Each separate tied unit for collection shall not exceed 50 pounds. (2) Newspapers. (a) Newspaper shall be tied securely in bundles ...
Looking for Passaic County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Paterson city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Passaic County →