East Orange, NJ Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)

City Code § 156-4 governs what the City's authorized collector will actually pick up at the curb. Under Subsection A, residential sources may place solid waste at the curb provided all garbage and refuse sits in suitable receptacles, with recyclable material separated according to the City's published schedule. Loose wood and tree limbs must be cut to four-foot lengths and tied in bundles weighing no more than 25 pounds each, and yard debris such as grass clippings must go in receptacles strong enough to prevent breaking and weighing no more than 75 pounds when filled.

Leaves, dirt, stones, broken concrete, construction debris and other unreasonable items will not be collected, and hazardous refuse must be disposed of at the owner's expense under state law rather than set for collection. Under Subsection B, commercial sources may set out solid waste in no more than four suitable receptacles, with recyclables separated out; used corrugated cardboard, bulky waste, dirt, stones, broken concrete, construction debris and unreasonable items are excluded from collection the same way. Suitable receptacles are defined in § 156-1 as metal or plastic containers of no more than 35 gallons holding no more than 100 pounds, or securely closed plastic bags up to 35 gallons; paper bags and cardboard boxes do not qualify.

Noncompliance falls under the general § 156-15 penalty schedule, enforced by the Water, Public Works, Property Maintenance and Health Departments, with fines running from $200 for a first offense up to $1,000 plus discontinued collection service for a fourth or later offense.