Edison, NJ Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

Section 21-1.5 itself is a single, general standard: receptacles 'shall be conveniently located on premises for storage of refuse and maintained in such a manner as to prevent creation of a nuisance or menace to public health.' The Township fills in the specifics elsewhere in the same section. Section 21-1.2 requires at least one receptacle per family unit, or two for each restaurant, store or similar business, and specifies that a residential receptacle hold no more than thirty gallons, have a tight-fitting cover, be made of watertight metal, plastic or other impervious material, and come equipped with a pull handle.

Section 21-1.3 lets the Township treat a 'badly broken' receptacle as refuse itself, meaning it can be collected and disposed of along with the trash inside it. Set-out timing is separately controlled by § 21-1.4, which bars putting receptacles out 'except during hours of the day or days scheduled for collection of refuse, or the evening before,' so a can placed at the curb days early is itself a placement violation layered on top of the nuisance standard. Section 21-1.6 requires garbage to be 'thoroughly and completely drained of all liquids, wrapped securely in paper' before it goes in the can, which ties directly into keeping a receptacle from becoming the nuisance § 21-1.5 forbids.

Multidwelling and industrial premises face an added duty under § 21-1.2d to clean and replace receptacles as needed after emptying. Residents also cannot use the Division of Sanitation's street litter baskets for household or commercial trash; § 21-1.14 reserves those for litter only.