Leaves and Vegetative Yard Waste Guidelines

 

Leaves and Vegetative Yard Waste

  • Leaves and vegetative waste are placed in biodegradable paper bags - items may not be placed in rigid containers or plastic bags. 
  • Please make sure bags are properly closed by folding over the top of the bags, ensuring contents are not exposed.
  • Weather and equipment failures may cause a delay in the collection schedule; delays should not be more than 1 or 2 days.
  • Bags must be 50 pounds or less - bags over 50 pounds will not be collected and Code Enforcement will be notified.
  • Please do not place paper leaf bags outside during inclement weather. Wet bags will not be collected.
  • See the reference image below: 

Leaf Bags.jpg

 

The following yard / vegetative waste can be included in these bags for collection. Please separate each category of items in their own bags (leaves in their own bag, grass clippings in their own bag, etc.). For any questions, please contact Department of Community Services/Public Works at 973-509-5711

Consider Composting: Learn more about Composting to better use your yard waste. By combining kitchen scraps like fruit and vegetable peels with yard trimmings, you can create nutrient-rich compost that enriches soil and nourishes plants.

Leaves
  • Collected on the regularly scheduled recycling day, during leaf collection season (April 1 - 30, and October 15 - December 1) 
  • Weather and equipment failures may cause a delay in the collection schedule; delays should not be more than 1 or 2 days.
Grass clippings
  • Collected on regularly scheduled recycling day from May through October
Branches
  • Collected on the regularly scheduled recycling days along with grass clippings or leaf collection.
  • Branches should be less than 3 inches in diameter and cut into lengths of 36 inches or less.
  • Branches do not go into paper bags and should be tied into bundles weighing no more than 25 pounds each. Loose piles will not be collected.
  • Up to 3 bundles can be picked up per collection day.
Other Vegetative Yard Waste

Wood chips, tree bark, tree, shrub and plant droppings and trimmings, weeds, dead plants, flowers, and other organic materials from seasonal gardening activities

  • Collected on the regularly scheduled recycling days along with grass clippings or leaf collection.
  • Limited to two (2) bags per collection day.
Christmas Trees
  • Christmas trees placed at the curb will be picked up on a weekly basis during the entire month of January. 
  • All decorations, lights, tinsel, etc. must be removed.
  • Wreaths will be collected separately with refuse. 

The following vegetative waste is currently not recyclable, and residents must make their own arrangements for disposal: 

  • Logs
  • Firewood
  • Stumps
  • Soil
  • Dirt, stones, concrete blocks, bricks. 

 

 

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