Plainfield, NJ Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)

Article 7 of Chapter 12 of the Plainfield Municipal Code, adopted as MC 2007-10 on August 22, 2007, creates the yard waste collection and disposal program for the City of Plainfield, Union County. The purpose clause ties the program to public health, safety and welfare and to penalties for failure to comply.

The code defines yard waste narrowly: leaves and grass clippings. Those are the only materials the article names, and it prints no separate brush or branch rule.

The core rule in § 12:7-3 is a timing window. Sweeping, raking, blowing or otherwise placing yard waste that is not containerized at the curb or along the street is only allowed during the seven (7) days prior to a scheduled and announced collection. The same sentence bars placing it closer than ten (10) feet from any storm drain inlet. Placement at the curb or along the street at any other time or in any other manner is a violation of the article.

The timing sentence covers yard waste that is not containerized. The code defines containerized as placing yard waste in a trash can, bucket, bag or other vessel, such as to prevent the yard waste from spilling or blowing out into the street and coming into contact with stormwater. The stormwater purpose explains the ten-foot setback from inlets.

"Street" is defined to include any existing State, County or municipal roadway and the land between the street lines, including pavement, shoulders, gutters, curbs, sidewalks, parking areas and other areas within the street lines.

If yard waste ends up in the street outside the window, the party responsible for placing it must remove it from the street. A party who does not remove it is deemed in violation of the article.

The Division of Inspections of the City of Plainfield enforces Article 7 under § 12:7-4. Section 12:7-5 sets the penalty at a fine not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each offense.