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

Section 248-2A defines the approved container for one- or two-family dwellings as a galvanized or plastic garbage can with handles and a tight-fitting cover, capacity 10 to 32 gallons, weighing no more than 50 pounds when filled, or properly tied plastic bags, with the Director of Public Works approving size and number per dwelling. Domestic garbage must be drained of free liquid and wrapped or sacked before going into the container (§ 248-2C), while commercial garbage from eating establishments picked up daily need not be wrapped, though undrained liquid or semi-liquid waste is never collectible (§ 248-2D).

Rubbish stored with garbage tops out at 50 pounds per container, and bundled newspapers, magazines or collapsible cardboard boxes cannot exceed 50 pounds per bundle (§ 248-2E). Multifamily buildings of three or more units must supply sufficient approved containers, and buildings with 75 or more units must use front-end-load containers (§ 248-3A, B). Building plans for new construction or major alterations must be referred to the Division of Health for review of proper refuse storage (§ 248-4). A broken or illegal container gets 10 days' written notice from the Health Officer to fix or replace it before the City collects it as rubbish (§ 248-3D).