Trenton, NJ Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Garbage/trash schedule
- Set by Dept. of Public Works
- Recycling schedule
- Set by Recycling Coordinator
- Standard set-out time
- Not before 7 p.m. night before
- Halloween exception
- Oct 30-31 set-out allowed from 10 p.m.
- Prohibited collection hours
- 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. citywide
- Landlord duty
- Annual written schedule notice to tenants
Summary
Trenton collects garbage and trash on a schedule the Department of Public Works announces, and containers can't go to the curb before 7:00 p.m. the night before pickup, except on October 30 and 31 when garbage may go out after 10:00 p.m. Collection is barred citywide between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Garbage and trash. Domestic garbage and trash shall be collected in accordance with a definite schedule announced by the Department of Public Works. ... All approved containers must be placed for pickup, curb or alley, not earlier than 7:00 p.m. of the day preceding the day of collection except on October 30th and October 31st garbage shall be placed outside not earlier than 10:00 p.m., but not later than 7:00 a.m. collection day. ... It shall be unlawful to collect garbage and trash or refuse of any nature, domestic, commercial or otherwise, in any location within the City of Trenton, regardless of zone, between the hours of 11:00 p.m. of any day and 7:00 a.m. of the following day.
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
Domestic garbage and trash are collected on a definite schedule announced by the Department of Public Works (§ 248-8A), while other refuse follows a schedule announced one week in advance (§ 248-8B), and recyclable waste follows a schedule set by the City's Recycling Coordinator (§ 248-8C). on collection day; container location is subject to approval by the Division of Solid Waste Management (§ 248-8D). If a regular collection day falls on a legal holiday, refuse and garbage should not be set out until the next scheduled collection unless the City announces otherwise through the newspaper or public flyers (§ 248-8E).
Owners must supply every new and current tenant with a written collection schedule and keep a signed record of that notice for each rental unit annually (§ 248-8F). (§ 248-8G).
Violations & Fines
The Director of Public Works enforces the collection-schedule provisions and may delegate to a Sanitation Superintendent and inspectors empowered to issue Municipal Court summonses (§ 248-9A). A first violation draws a warning; every subsequent violation draws a summons. Penalties follow Chapter 1, Article III's General Penalty, capped at $3,000 for this article (§ 248-9B).
Frequently Asked Questions
What time can I put my trash cans out in Trenton?
Can trash be collected in Trenton late at night?
What happens to my Trenton pickup if collection day falls on a holiday?
Is my landlord required to tell me the trash collection schedule in Trenton?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Trenton
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