Trenton, NJ Trash & Recycling: Bulk Item Disposal (2026)
Key Facts
- Large items (fridge, stove, bed)
- Call Division of Sanitation for special pickup
- Brush/clippings limit
- 24 in.-4 ft., ≤50 lbs, tied bundles
- Tree stumps/construction waste
- Owner's responsibility, not City-collected
- Tire drop-off location
- 500 Brunswick Avenue
Summary
Large bulky items like refrigerators, stoves, beds and crates don't go in a regular Trenton trash can: residents must report them to the Division of Sanitation for a special pickup. Branches and shrub clippings up to four feet long must be bundled under 50 pounds, and used tires go to the City's 500 Brunswick Avenue drop-off.
Bulk rubbish. Rubbish which is of such bulk that it cannot be put in the prescribed containers shall be securely tied in compact bundles not to exceed 50 pounds in weight, and placed in a location convenient for collection. Large bulky items, such as refrigerators, stoves, beds, crates, etc., shall be reported to the Division of Sanitation and arrangements made for a special pickup. ... Branches, clippings, shrubs and rakings in excess of 24 inches but not greater than four feet in length, and not in excess of 50 pounds in weight, may be placed at the curb for pickup if securely tied in bundles so as to prevent their being scattered, carried or deposited by the elements upon any street, sidewalk or other public or private place or premises.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4853025; v21 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
Rubbish too bulky for a prescribed container must be tied in compact bundles not exceeding 50 pounds and placed where it's convenient to collect, but large bulky items such as refrigerators, stoves, beds and crates must instead be reported to the Division of Sanitation, which arranges a special pickup (§ 248-2F). Branches, clippings, shrubs and rakings between 24 inches and four feet long, weighing no more than 50 pounds, may go to the curb if securely tied in bundles that won't scatter (§ 248-2H). Trees, tree stumps, commercial rubbish and construction waste are not part of routine municipal collection at all: the property owner, occupant or person in control must arrange disposal personally or through a landscape contractor or other worker (§ 248-2I). Separately, under the recycling article, the Department of Public Works accepts residential tires at 500 Brunswick Avenue and disposes of them consistent with the City's recycling plan (§ 248-19).
Violations & Fines
Bulk-item violations under Article I follow § 248-9: the Director of Public Works or a delegated Sanitation Superintendent or inspector can issue a Municipal Court summons, with a first-time warning and subsequent summonses, capped at a $3,000 maximum penalty. Tires and other recyclable bulk items handled under Article II instead follow § 248-24's three-warning process before General Penalty fines apply per day of violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of a broken refrigerator or old couch in Trenton?
Can I put tree branches at the curb in Trenton?
Who removes a tree stump or construction debris from my Trenton property?
Where do I take an old tire in Trenton?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Trenton
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