Clifton, NJ Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Curbside set-out
- Not before 5 p.m. EST / 6 p.m. DST
- Removal deadline
- Within 12 hours after pickup
- Recycling set-out window
- 7 p.m. day before to 7 a.m. day of
- Max fine
- $1,000 per day (§ 261-11)
- Receptacle capacity
- Up to 35 gallons (§ 261-8)
Summary
Clifton requires garbage, ashes, dirt and other household refuse to be set out curbside on the days the City appoints for collection, but not before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (6:00 p.m. during Daylight Saving Time) the evening before pickup, and the cans must come back off the sidewalk within 12 hours after they're emptied.
Every owner, tenant, lessee or occupant of any house, store, building or any part thereof shall, upon the days appointed by the proper authorities for the collection of garbage, ashes, dirt or other household refuse, place said receptacles containing such garbage, ashes, dirt or other household refuse upon the sidewalk area in front of his, her or their premises, as near the curb as the same can be conveniently placed, not earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day before removal when Eastern Standard Time is in effect and not earlier than 6:00 p.m. when Daylight Saving Time is in effect, and shall remove the same from the sidewalk within 12 hours after the same are emptied. ... Prior to placing said receptacles at the curb and the removal of the same from the curb in accordance with Subsection A hereof, said receptacles shall be placed on the side of or to the rear of the house, store or building.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4963532; v64 updated 2026-07-21; through 07-21-2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Clifton Code § 261-10, every owner, tenant, lessee or occupant of a house, store or building must place garbage, ash, dirt or other household refuse curbside on the days appointed by the proper authorities. under Daylight Saving Time the day before pickup, and must be removed within 12 hours after being emptied. Outside that window, § 261-10B requires containers to sit at the side or rear of the building, not at the curb. Section 261-9 requires a sufficient number of receptacles made of galvanized metal, plastic or similarly firm waterproof material, capacity up to 35 gallons under § 261-8, kept covered, non-overflowing and sanitary; occupants supply them for one- and two-family homes and businesses, while owners supply them for buildings with three or more units.
the day of, regular municipal collection. The Recycling Coordinator, Police, Public Works, Health and Housing Departments and the Passaic County Health Department share enforcement authority under § 261-20, with random inspections at least monthly per collection route.
Violations & Fines
Noncompliance with § 261-10's placement window is punishable under § 261-11 by a fine of up to $1,000, with each day of continued violation counted as a separate offense. Recycling violations under § 261-15 draw an escalating schedule under § 261-21: $25 for a first offense, $100 for a second, and $250 plus up to 90 days of community service for a third, after two warnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early can I put my trash cans at the curb in Clifton?
What happens if I leave my cans out too long?
When can I set out recycling bins?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clifton
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Collection Schedule in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Passaic County handle collection schedule.