Elizabeth, NJ trash pickup schedule
Elizabeth trash and recycling: who collects, how often, how to find your pickup day, and what changes on holidays in 2026.
Population 141,675 (Census 2025 estimate)Last checked Not affiliated with any city, county or hauler.
Contents10 sections
Quick answer
| Who collects | A private hauler under city contract: Regional Industries The Department of Public Works manages the city's solid waste and recycling contracts; the city's 2026 Trash & Recycling Calendar lists Regional Industries (908-436-1966) as the contact for garbage and recycling problems. Collection covers residents and businesses; properties with private service must still separate recyclables.3 |
|---|---|
| How often | Trash twice weekly: Monday & Thursday (Wards 1, 2, 3) or Tuesday & Friday (Wards 4, 5, 6), recycling Wednesdays, alternating weekly between commingled containers and paper/cardboard (each stream every other Wednesday per the 2026 calendar); business districts get cardboard pickup every Wednesday, yard waste by appointment (call 908-820-4150); leaves and grass go out on Wednesday1 |
| Set out | at the curb the night before collection, after 6:00 p.m.1 |
| Your pickup day | Garbage by ward: Wards 1-3 Monday & Thursday; Wards 4-6 Tuesday & Friday; recycling citywide on Wednesday (alternating streams). Zone map: elizabethnj.org. App: Recycle Coach (city-referenced app; link only)4 |
| Holiday | Veterans Day, Wed, Nov 11, 2026: No change. Wednesday Nov 11 has no H marker on the 2026 calendar; shown as a normal recycling Wednesday (paper/cardboard week in the alternating pattern).1 |
Bulk items: set-days: up to three household items with regular garbage on the second garbage day of the week (Thursday or Friday, by ward); metal/appliances by appointment (details). Drop-off sites: 2 listed (hours and fees).
Elizabeth holiday trash schedule 2026
| City’s rule | No curbside pickup (garbage or recycling) on a calendar holiday; pickup that falls on a holiday is collected the next day. Only days marked H on the city's annual calendar are holidays.1 |
|---|---|
| Official notice | elizabethnj.org2 |
| Holiday | Date | Pickup | What the city says |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thu, Jan 1, 2026 | Delayed one day | Thursday Jan 1, 2026 is marked H on the 2026 calendar; Thursday garbage (Wards 1-3) picked up the next day (Fri Jan 2).1 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Mon, Jan 19, 2026 | No change | Monday Jan 19 has no H marker; shown as a normal Monday garbage day (Wards 1-3).1 |
| Presidents' Day | Mon, Feb 16, 2026 | No change | Monday Feb 16 has no H marker; shown as a normal Monday garbage day.1 |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 25, 2026 | Delayed one day | Monday May 25 is marked H; Monday garbage (Wards 1-3) picked up the next day (Tue May 26).1 |
| Juneteenth | Fri, Jun 19, 2026 | Not on the city’s list | Not on the city’s list for this year |
| Independence Day (Fourth of July) | Fri, Jul 3, 2026 | No change | July 4 is a Saturday; Friday July 3 (federal observed day) has no H marker and is shown as a normal Friday garbage day (Wards 4-6).1 |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 7, 2026 | Delayed one day | Monday Sep 7 is marked H on the calendar; Monday garbage (Wards 1-3) picked up the next day.1 |
| Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day | Mon, Oct 12, 2026 | No change | Monday Oct 12 has no H marker; shown as a normal Monday garbage day.1 |
| Veterans Day | Wed, Nov 11, 2026 | No change | Wednesday Nov 11 has no H marker on the 2026 calendar; shown as a normal recycling Wednesday (paper/cardboard week in the alternating pattern).1 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 26, 2026 | Delayed one day | Thursday Nov 26 is marked H; per the calendar rule, Thursday garbage (Wards 1-3) is picked up the next day (Friday Nov 27; the grid does not mark the make-up day). Recycling Center closed on Thanksgiving.1 |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 25, 2026 | Delayed one day | Friday Dec 25 is marked H on the calendar; per the rule, Friday garbage (Wards 4-6) is picked up the next day (Saturday Dec 26 - the calendar grid does not color the make-up day). Recycling Center closed on Christmas.1 |
| Holiday | Date | Pickup | What the city says |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Fri, Jan 1, 2027 | Delayed one day | Friday Jan 1, 2027 is marked H on the calendar; per the rule, Friday garbage (Wards 4-6) is picked up the next day (Saturday Jan 2).1 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Mon, Jan 18, 2027 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Presidents' Day | Mon, Feb 15, 2027 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 31, 2027 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Juneteenth | Fri, Jun 18, 2027 (observed) | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Independence Day (Fourth of July) | Mon, Jul 5, 2027 (observed) | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 6, 2027 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day | Mon, Oct 11, 2027 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Veterans Day | Thu, Nov 11, 2027 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 25, 2027 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 24, 2027 (observed) | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
Check your own day for the next three holidays with the holiday delay checker, or download a pickup calendar.
Bulk trash pickup in Elizabeth
| How it works | set-days: up to three household items with regular garbage on the second garbage day of the week (Thursday or Friday, by ward); metal/appliances by appointment1 |
|---|---|
| How to request | Household items: no booking, put out on Thursday (Wards 1-3) or Friday (Wards 4-6), never Monday or Tuesday. Metal and metal appliances: call (908) 820-4150 for an appointment first; refrigerator/AC gas must be evacuated and doors removed. Questions: City Yard (908) 820-4147 or the Recycle Coach app1 |
| Limits | three (3) household items per property per week (couches, tables, chairs, mattresses, dressers, closets, rugs, vanities); two car tires may go with Thursday/Friday garbage (residential only)1 |
| Fees | metal/appliance appointment pickup at no cost1 |
| Not accepted | |
| Sidewalk | Front sidewalk replacement: slate and concrete with no dirt removed for residents by appointment; permit from City Hall Rm 308 ($60 min.); contractors must remove their own material1 |
Recycling in Elizabeth
| Pickup | Wednesdays, alternating weekly between commingled containers and paper/cardboard (each stream every other Wednesday per the 2026 calendar); business districts get cardboard pickup every Wednesday1 |
|---|---|
| Type | dual-stream (commingled containers one Wednesday; newspapers, office paper and cardboard on the other)1 |
| Glass | accepted at curb (glass bottles and jars, commingled with cans and plastics)1 |
| Plastics | #1, #2 and #5 plastic containers1 |
Accepted
- commingled: aluminum and tin cans, glass bottles and jars, plastic containers #1, #2 and #5, rinsed and mixed in one container1
- newspapers tied in bundles or in a brown paper bag1
- mixed office paper (junk mail, envelopes, folders, magazines) in a separate reusable container, put out on newspaper day1
- corrugated cardboard collapsed, folded and tied or nested, out with newspapers1
Programs
- Recycling Center drop-off (523 Trenton Ave.) for TVs, monitors and computers; nickel-cadmium, rechargeable and car batteries; used motor oil and cooking oil (residents with ID, max 5 gallons each); unbroken fluorescent bulbs; clean white #6 foam (no food-service, peanut or colored foam); plastic bags and film; tires1
Yard waste, food scraps and seasonal pickups
| Yard waste pickup | yes - leaves, grass, bushes, logs and branches picked up by appointment1 |
|---|---|
| Season | Not published by the city (official page) |
| How often | by appointment (call 908-820-4150); leaves and grass go out on Wednesday1 |
| Rules | Leaves and grass in biodegradable paper bags or reusable containers, no plastic bags, raking into the street is a violation; branches, stumps and bushes bundled in 4-ft lengths, max 75 lb, not at curb until you have an appointment; never on Thursdays/Fridays1 |
| Food scraps | Not published by the city (official page) |
| Christmas trees | Not published by the city (official page) |
| Leaf collection | Sample biodegradable leaf bags distributed at the Recycling Center from about October 15 each year while supplies last; leaf pickup by appointment1 |
Drop-off sites: landfill, recycling and hazardous waste
City of Elizabeth Recycling Center
| Type | Recycling center |
|---|---|
| Run by | The city |
| Address | 523 Trenton Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ (near the Animal Shelter, across from Mattano Park) · Map1 |
| Hours | Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat and Sun until 4 p.m. (opening time not stated); closed Thanksgiving and Christmas1 |
| Fees | Not published by the city (official page) |
| Who can use it | motor oil and cooking oil: residents only with ID, max 5 gallons; no commercial dumping (city does not state other residency rules)1 |
Union County Household Hazardous Waste days
| Type | Household hazardous waste |
|---|---|
| Run by | The county |
| Address | 2026 events: Apr 25 UC VoTech, 1776 Raritan Rd, Scotch Plains; Jun 7 UCNJ Lots 5A/5B, 1033 Springfield Ave, Cranford; Aug 8 Kean University, 1000 Morris Ave, Union; Oct 25 UC VoTech, Scotch Plains (all 2026 events have passed as of 2026-10-30) · Map6 |
| Hours | 9 a.m.-2 p.m., rain or shine6 |
| Fees | Not published by the city (official page) |
| Accepts | aerosol cans, antifreeze, batteries (not alkaline), caustics, corrosives/cleaners, fire extinguishers, unbroken fluorescent bulbs, gasoline, mercury switches, motor oil and filters, oil-based paints/varnishes, pesticides/herbicides, propane tanks, pool chemicals, smoke detectors, thermostats, tires (auto/motorcycle/bicycle, limit 8 auto tires, no rims); not accepted: latex paint, containers over 5 gallons, unlabeled/empty containers, pressurized gas, sharps6 |
Item guides: Mattress · Couch and furniture · Appliances · Paint · Batteries · Electronics · Tires · Motor oil · Christmas tree.
Missed pickup and contacts
| Missed pickup form | Not published by the city (official page) |
|---|---|
| Phone | 24-hour DPW hotline (908) 820-4150 (recycling information Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.); garbage and recycling problems: Regional Industries (908) 436-1966, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.1 |
| 311 | Not published by the city (official page) |
| Official website | elizabethnj.org2 |
| Bulk phone | City Yard (908) 820-4147 (7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) for bulk pickup questions7 |
| Recycling coordinator | Municipal Recycling Coordinator Pat Vella, 908-820-41545 |
Nearby cities
- Newark, NJ4 miles · The city collects
- Jersey City, NJ7 miles · A private hauler under city contract
- New York, NY13 miles · The city collects
- Philadelphia, PA67 miles · The city collects
- Allentown, PA68 miles · A private hauler under city contract
- Waterbury, CT86 miles · The city collects
All New Jersey cities: New Jersey trash pickup schedules.
Elizabeth trash pickup FAQ
What day is trash picked up in Elizabeth?
Trash is collected twice weekly: Monday & Thursday (Wards 1, 2, 3) or Tuesday & Friday (Wards 4, 5, 6). Garbage by ward: Wards 1-3 Monday & Thursday; Wards 4-6 Tuesday & Friday; recycling citywide on Wednesday (alternating streams).
Is trash picked up on Thanksgiving Day 2026 in Elizabeth?
Thanksgiving Day falls on Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Delayed one day: Thursday Nov 26 is marked H; per the calendar rule, Thursday garbage (Wards 1-3) is picked up the next day (Friday Nov 27; the grid does not mark the make-up day). Recycling Center closed on Thanksgiving.
Is trash picked up on Christmas Day 2026 in Elizabeth?
Christmas Day falls on Fri, Dec 25, 2026. Delayed one day: Friday Dec 25 is marked H on the calendar; per the rule, Friday garbage (Wards 4-6) is picked up the next day (Saturday Dec 26 - the calendar grid does not color the make-up day). Recycling Center closed on Christmas.
Is trash picked up on New Year's Day 2027 in Elizabeth?
New Year's Day falls on Fri, Jan 1, 2027. Delayed one day: Friday Jan 1, 2027 is marked H on the calendar; per the rule, Friday garbage (Wards 4-6) is picked up the next day (Saturday Jan 2).
How do I get rid of bulky items in Elizabeth?
set-days: up to three household items with regular garbage on the second garbage day of the week (Thursday or Friday, by ward); metal/appliances by appointment. Household items: no booking, put out on Thursday (Wards 1-3) or Friday (Wards 4-6), never Monday or Tuesday. Metal and metal appliances: call (908) 820-4150 for an appointment first; refrigerator/AC gas must be evacuated and doors removed. Questions: City Yard (908) 820-4147 or the Recycle Coach app Fees: metal/appliance appointment pickup at no cost.
Does Elizabeth recycle glass?
Glass: accepted at curb (glass bottles and jars, commingled with cans and plastics).
How do I report a missed trash pickup in Elizabeth?
call 24-hour DPW hotline (908) 820-4150 (recycling information Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.); garbage and recycling problems: Regional Industries (908) 436-1966, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sources
- 1 City of Elizabeth 2026 Trash & Recycling Calendar (PDF)City · elizabethnj.org · checked October 30, 2026
- 2 Garbage and Recycling CalendarCity · elizabethnj.org · checked October 30, 2026
- 3 Public WorksCity · elizabethnj.org · checked October 30, 2026
- 4 Ward MapsCity · elizabethnj.org · checked October 30, 2026
- 5 Recycling (DPW)City · elizabethnj.org · checked October 30, 2026
- 6 Union County Household Hazardous Waste (Household Special Waste) 2026 scheduleCounty · ucnj.org · checked October 30, 2026
- 7 Frequently Asked Questions (Public Works)City · elizabethnj.org · checked October 30, 2026
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Second-pass verification against every source: October 30, 2026. Not affiliated with any city, county or hauler.