Paterson, NJ Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Collection frequency
- Twice weekly, citywide baseline
- Specific days
- Set by district via DPW
- Governing chapter
- Solid Waste, Chapter 427
- Enforcement
- DPW Sanitation Division
Summary
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.
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 internal-combustion engines or transmissions. [Added 10-13-1992 by Ord. No. 92-051] WHITE GOODS All large appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, washers, dryers, boilers, hot-water heaters, freezers and air conditioners. [Added 10-13-1992 by Ord. No. 92-051] YARD WASTE Grass clippings, hedge trimmings, twigs, sticks, branches or shrubbery.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4713536; v19 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
The City's Solid Waste chapter defines "solid waste" as all garbage and rubbish normally placed at the curb by residents "for regular twice-weekly municipal collection", a citywide baseline of two pickups a week, not one. The Department of Public Works assigns the actual two collection days by district; those day assignments aren't fixed in the ordinance itself, so residents confirm them with DPW's Sanitation Division. Waste still has to go out under the separate placement rule, not before 6:00 p.m. the evening before a scheduled day, and collectors then run each of the two weekly routes citywide.
Violations & Fines
The ordinance doesn't set a fine for the schedule itself, but waste placed on the wrong day violates §427-5's placement rule: a $100 fine per offense, each day counted separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does Paterson pick up trash?
Does the ordinance list my specific collection days?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Paterson
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