Garbage & Recycling


Garbage Recycling Bulk Collection Donations What should I do with... Other options/info

News

2026:
2025:

Garbage, Trash, Rubbish, Refuse, Litter, Waste

[Garbage can image]

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Nothing is ever picked up from the ground
Dumpsters are lifted by a truck

Garbage dumpster

The garbage dumpster is emptied out every Monday and Thursday.

  • Tie all bags closed
  • Try to avoid putting sharp objects in garbage bags that will tear open the bag
  • Put broken glass in a paper bag or box, bend metal coat hangers inward, etc.
  • Make sure the dumpster lids are closed at all times to keep animals and rain/snow out, keep the odors in
  • Do not put bulk items or anything else on the pavement in the dumpster area. Everything in the dumpster area must be in the dumpster. There are specific days and times for Montclair Township curb-side bulk collection, see Bulk Collection for more information.
  • As of January 2011, it is against the law to put electronics in the garbage in the State of New Jersey. See Electronics for more information.
  • If you are still not sure what to do with something, see the list below or contact the Resident Managers

Montclair Bulk Collection Day

Recycling

[Recycling logo]

June 5, 2026:
The dumpster company has had some scheduling mistakes and no-show days, Affiliated Management has been in contact with them to try to correct these issues.

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All recycling types listed on the front of the dumpster can go in it. The recycling dumpster had been emptied out every Monday and Thursday for years, in 2026 pickup days vary.

Cardboard

Try to break down boxes flat so we don't fill up the recycling dumpster so quickly. Put anything that was inside a cardboard box in the garbage dumpster, only the cardboard itself is recyclable. A utility knife, aka. "box cutter" will make it much easier to break down boxes, but you may be able to do it by hand after you separate it at the seam.

Commingled recycling

Dump cans, bottles, etc. directly in to the dumpster. If you brought it out in a bag, dump it out in to the (green, right-side) recycling dumpster, then throw out the bag in the (black, left-side) garbage dumpster.

See also: Montclair Township: Recycling Information
We use a private dumpster company, but the Montclair site has lots of useful general recycling information.

Mixed paper

Always check the info on the front of the dumpsters in case the company changes what they are able to take, or the company itself changes. As of November/December 2025, you can put "office paper" and newspaper in the green recycling dumpster.

You can also drop off certain types of "mixed paper" (and other recycling and electronics) at the Dept of Community Services/Public Works yard at 219 North Fullerton Ave every Saturday from 9am-1pm. (may be closed on holidays or during snow storms)
See their list of Mixed Paper items that they will accept on the Montclair Township web site recycling page

Plastic bags, wrap, film, air pillows, ...

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Anything that falls under the description of "plastic film" can be recycled, but not via Montclair Township or our dumpster company. This includes air pillows, newspaper bags, grocery & retail bags (#2 or #4), case wrap (e.g. for a case of water bottles), bread bags, napkin, PT, TP, or diaper wrap packaging, supermarket produce bags, food storage bags (e.g. Ziploc bags).

Remove address labels, let air dry, shake crumbs or any other loose debris out, then drop off anything listed in the flyer at ShopRite, Target, Kohl's, Whole Foods Market, Walmart, Wegmans, ...

Go to how2recycle.info then Store Drop-off for more information.

Electronics

Paper Shredding (and recycling)

Old dates left here so you can possibly guess a future date not listed yet...

Household Hazardous Waste

Some of it will not be recyclable, but it will be properly disposed of...

Tires

CFL light bulbs

Styrofoam

July 12, 2023: Styrofoam recycling has been temporarily suspended - the recycling plant that Montclair has been using has closed after 80 years of business. Styroam should go out with garbage (in the black garbage dumpster) until they resume styrofoam recycling.

Montclair Environmental Commission: Where To Dispose of Styrofoam

See also:
Montclair Environmental Commission
Montclair Township: A to Z Disposal Guide

Bulk Collection

Montclair Bulk Waste Collection is every month on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday
· The next one is June 17, 2026 ·
...unless it falls on a holiday

If you can not wait until the next bulk collection day, contact us and we can give you the contact info for a waste removal company. It will not be free, but you will not have to wait until the next bulk collection day. You can also donate it, sell it, or recycle it.

Upcoming Bulk Collection Days

The day may change if it falls on a holiday or during a snow storm. If that happens, we will list it on the Calendar page.

Actual pickup dayWhen to put it out
The third Wednesday of June 2026 is June 17thAfter 6pm on Tue, Jun 16th + before 6am on Wed, Jun 17th
The first Wednesday of July 2026 is July 1stAfter 6pm on Tue, Jun 30th + before 6am on Wed, Jul 1st
The third Wednesday of July 2026 is July 15thAfter 6pm on Tue, Jul 14th + before 6am on Wed, Jul 15th
The first Wednesday of August 2026 is August 5thAfter 6pm on Tue, Aug 4th + before 6am on Wed, Aug 5th
The third Wednesday of August 2026 is August 19thAfter 6pm on Tue, Aug 18th + before 6am on Wed, Aug 19th
The first Wednesday of September 2026 is September 2ndAfter 6pm on Tue, Sep 1st + before 6am on Wed, Sep 2nd

Donations

Go to the Donate page

What should I do with...?

This info is based on what we have experienced as tenants and Resident Managers. If you want the official latest answer on anything, contact Montclair Community Services (973-509-5711) and they will find out for you. Make sure you specify that you live in an apartment complex, not a house.

See the Montclair Township A to Z Disposal Guide


Garbage bags Make sure you tie them closed, then place in the garbage dumpster. See Garbage above.
Loose garbageGarbage in your apartment
Egg cartons - the styrofoam kindGarbage in your apartment
Egg cartons - the paper-based kindGarbage?
Non-plastic milk & OJ containersGarbage in your apartment
Bottles, cans, plastic containers Rinse out then dump in to the recycling dumpster. If you bring it out in a bag, dump out the bag, throw the bag away (or re-use it again). See Recycling above
Cardboard At home, remove (put in your garbage) everything from it that is not cardboard
Place in recycling dumpster, preferably broken down flat
See Recycling above
Magazines/newspaper Garbage in your apartment, or Montclair recycling. The dumpster company does not take paper. See Recycling above.
Plastic bags:
Air pillows, food storage bags, retail bags, produce bags, newspaper bags, case wrap, napkin, PT, TP, or diaper wrap, bread bags, dry cleaning bags 		Drop off at ShopRite, Target, Kohl's, Whole Foods Market
A small lampGarbage dumpster
A large lampBulk Collection Day - see Bulk items above
Rugs If small, roll it up, tape with duct or electrical tape, and put in garbage dumpster. If large, put out for Bulk Collection Day - see Bulk items above
Furniture
Headboard, footboard
Box spring (in a plastic bag)
Night table
Coffee table
Floor lamp
See Montclair's list 		Bulk Collection Day - see Bulk items above
Headboard, footboard
(furniture)		Bulk Collection Day - see Bulk items above
Mattress/box spring Bulk Collection Day - see Bulk items above
or better yet, get whoever delivers your new mattress to take it
Christmas tree (real) Place bare tree at curb, not blocked by parked vehicles if possible. They will be collected each week through January. Stands, plastic bag covers, and all decorations must be removed. Call Montclair Township for pickup date, all we know is that they will be picked up "each week". Contact us 24+ hours in advance if you would like a heavy duty garbage bag to place over the ends to contain needles as you bring it out (remove the bags when at the curb).
Electronics:
Computers, monitors, printers, fax machines, scanners, telephone equipment, speakers, TVs, VCRs, DVD/Blu-ray, stereos, toasters, irons, old cell phones, ... 		Donate, trade/sell it, drop-off every Saturday 9am-1pm at Montclair Dept of Community Services/Public Works yard at 219 N Fullerton Ave, or bring to Essex County Computer & Electronics Recycling Day in May and October
* As of January 2011, it is no longer legal to put these items in the garbage in NJ
Fire extinguisher
Single-use personal		Bring to Essex County's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day in May and October
Pesticide, herbicide, paint thinner/solvent, oil based paint (not latex), spray paint, some batteries, some automotive fluids, paint thinners & solvents, ...Bring to Essex County's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day
In May and October
Paint - latex Take the lid off, let it dry out completely (for days), then put the paint can in the garbage dumpster. If you can't wait for it to dry, look for paint hardener at Home Depot, a hardware store, or Amazon.
Paint - oilBring to Essex County's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day in May and October
Tires Call Montclair Township DCS 973-509-5711 for details or see the web site. Pay fee, drop off at community services yard.
Essex County Used Tire Recycling Day
Previous one PDF flyer here
Appliances with refrigerant (A/C, refrigerator, etc.) Call Montclair Township for details 973-509-5711 or see the web site's Appliances page
Pay for recycling stickers, place at curb before scheduled date
Broken glassCarefully place broken glass in a box or thick paper bag, tape or staple it closed, write BROKEN GLASS all over it, place in the garbage dumpster
CFL light bulbsSee "What should I do with CFL (curly) bulbs" on our FAQ page
ClothingDonate it
or Montclair Environmental Commission: Clothing & Textile Recycling at Montclair Public Library
or put in a tied garbage bag, then put that bag in the garbage dumpster
Wire coat hangers Bring back to your drycleaner
or drop off at Montclair Dept of Community Services yard during drop-off days/times.
See Recycling above
Anything elseAsk the Resident Managers

Other Options/Info

If you find any of the above information to be outdated or incorrect, let us know.