A public resource guide
Every legitimate way to get rid of furniture, appliances, mattresses, and bulk waste in Newark, including the monthly Zone A/Zone B bulk collection schedule, the strict 10-item limit with $250-per-item fines, mandatory mattress plastic-wrapping, twice-weekly trash and recycling, white goods by appointment, and what to do when paid hauling isn't an option.
Last updated: May 2026 · Maintained by Freemoval as a public resource
Newark runs a tightly enforced system that reflects the city's ongoing fight against illegal dumping: monthly bulk collection by zone (Zone A on 1st Wednesday, Zone B on 2nd Wednesday), with a hard 10-item-per-property limit. Excess items result in $250-per-item fines starting at first offense, escalating to $450 and possible community service for repeat offenders. Mattresses must be wrapped in plastic before disposal by city ordinance to prevent infectious disease and bedbug spread. Trash is collected twice a week, an unusual frequency reflecting Newark's urban density. White goods (refrigerators, washers, dryers, ACs) require a separate appointment via 973-733-4311. This page walks through every legitimate option in order from free to paid.
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Newark residents have free twice-weekly trash collection, free twice-weekly recycling (dual-stream, paper/cardboard separate from glass/plastic/metal), free monthly bulk collection (10-item max), free white goods pickup by appointment, free electronics drop-off at DPW headquarters, free yard waste twice a month per zone, and donation pickup programs. The Newark Department of Public Works (DPW) Division of Sanitation serves approximately 311,549 residents across a 26.1 square mile area divided into Zone A and Zone B.
Monthly Bulk Collection (Zone A or Zone B, 10-item max)
Free, 10 items maxNewark collects bulk items once per month per zone: Zone A on the 1st Wednesday, Zone B on the 2nd Wednesday. Hard limit of 10 bulk items per residential property per scheduled day. Anything exceeding 10 items must be removed by a private hauler on the same day at the owner's expense, OR you risk a fine of $250 PER ITEM over 10 (first offense), escalating to $450 plus possible community service for repeat offenders.
Zone A schedule: 1st Wednesday of each month.
Zone B schedule: 2nd Wednesday of each month.
Hard limit: 10 bulk items per property per scheduled day. Excess = $250 per item fine (first offense).
Find your zone: Call DPW Customer Service at 973-733-3644 or check dpw.newarknj.gov.
Set-out time: Place items at curb between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM the evening before collection day.
Mattress rule (city ordinance): Mattresses MUST be wrapped in plastic prior to disposal to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and bedbug breeding. This is enforced.
Storage rule: Bulky waste cannot be stored outside in residential zones except on designated bulk collection days OR inside a fully enclosed structure.
NOT accepted: Construction/renovation debris, electronics (TVs, computers), automotive parts. White goods/large appliances require separate appointment.
White Goods Pickup (free, by appointment)
Free, by appointmentRefrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, washers, dryers, stoves, and other large appliances (“white goods”) require a separate appointment for pickup, they're NOT collected with regular bulk. Call 973-733-4311 (311) or 973-733-3644 to schedule. Free for Newark residents.
What's accepted: Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, washers, dryers, stoves, dishwashers, hot water tanks.
Cost: Free for Newark residents.
How to schedule: Call 973-733-4311 (311) or 973-733-3644.
Why separate: White goods require certified Freon recovery (federal EPA rule) and special handling. Newark routes them on a separate truck.
Free Electronics Drop-Off at DPW Headquarters
Free for residentsNewark residents can drop off electronics (computers, TVs, monitors, etc.) at Newark DPW Headquarters at 62 Frelinghuysen Avenue. Hours: Monday-Friday 8 AM-4 PM, Saturday 8 AM-12:30 PM. Free for Newark residents with valid photo ID and proof of residency.
What's accepted: Computers, TVs, monitors, printers, peripherals, small electronics.
Location: 62 Frelinghuysen Avenue, Newark.
Hours: Monday-Friday 8 AM-4 PM. Saturday 8 AM-12:30 PM.
What you need: Valid photo ID and proof of Newark residency.
Why this matters: Electronics are NOT accepted in regular trash or bulk pickup. New Jersey state law bans e-waste from landfills.
Twice-Monthly Yard Waste (per zone)
Free, twice monthlyYard waste collection is twice a month per zone. Package yard waste in brown paper bags and/or tie twigs in bundles. Set out the night before your assigned collection day. Free with City service.
Frequency: Twice a month, once in each zone.
Containers: Brown paper bags or tied twig bundles.
Set-out: Night before your assigned collection day.
Find your zone schedule: dpw.newarknj.gov or call 973-733-3644.
Free Recycling Bins (DPW Headquarters)
Free for residentsNewark provides free recycling bins to residents at 62 Frelinghuysen Avenue, Monday-Friday 8 AM-4 PM. Valid photo ID and proof of residency required. Source separation of recyclables is mandated by City Ordinance Section 15:12-4.
Where: 62 Frelinghuysen Avenue, Newark.
Hours: Monday-Friday 8 AM-4 PM.
What you need: Valid photo ID and proof of Newark residency.
Cost: Free.
Freemoval (partner-community pickups)
FreeFreemoval is a social impact program that subsidizes free junk removal pickups in partner communities, typically affordable housing properties and select municipal partnerships. Newark partner expansion is a priority for 2026 given the city's significant illegal dumping challenges.
Eligibility: Households in active partner communities. Ask your property manager whether your building participates.
Status in Newark: Onboarding partner properties throughout 2026, high priority market.
Donation-pickup programs
FreeNewark-area nonprofits offer free pickup for items in usable condition.
The Salvation Army: Free pickup of clothing, furniture, household items. Schedule at satruck.org or call 1-800-SA-TRUCK.
Habitat for Humanity Newark: Free pickup for furniture, appliances, building materials.
Goodwill of New Jersey: Donation pickup for larger items in the Newark and broader Northern NJ area.
St. Vincent de Paul (Newark Archdiocese): Newark-area pickup of furniture, clothing, household items for families in need.
Two-zone system. Newark Department of Public Works (DPW) Division of Sanitation serves approximately 311,549 residents across a 26.1 square mile area divided into Zone A and Zone B. To verify your zone: call DPW Customer Service at 973-733-3644 or visit dpw.newarknj.gov.
Twice-weekly trash and recycling. This is unusual for U.S. cities and reflects Newark's urban density. Each zone has two scheduled trash days per week and two recycling days per week. Recycling is dual-stream: paper/cardboard separate from glass/plastic/metal. Source separation is mandated by City Ordinance Section 15:12-4.
Set-out window. Place trash and recycling at the curb between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM the evening before your collection day. Some Zone B areas have night collection between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM. Trash bags placed directly on the curb will NOT be collected (per city ordinance), trash must be in receptacles or bins with attached, tight-fitting lids. Bag thickness minimum 1.2 mil.
The 10-item bulk limit and $250-per-item fines. City ordinance Chapter 15:4 limits each residential property to 10 bulk items per scheduled bulk collection day. Anything over 10 items must be removed by a private hauler on the same day at the owner's expense. Failure: First Offense - $250 fine for each item over 10. If items not picked up same day, additional $250/day until abated. Second Offense - $350. Third Offense - $450 and/or up to 90 days community service.
Mattress wrapping ordinance. The owner, lessee, tenant, or occupant of every privately owned building is mandated to cover mattresses in plastic prior to disposal to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and the breeding of insects/bed bugs. This is enforced as a public health measure.
Storage ordinance. It is unlawful for any residential property owner to store or permit storage of any bulky household waste (household appliances, furniture, mattresses) in residential-zoned areas, EXCEPT in a fully enclosed structure or on days designated for bulk collection. Tires similarly cannot be stored on residential property.
Recycling rules. Dual-stream, paper/cardboard collected on one day, glass/plastic/metal containers on another. Cardboard must be flattened and tied in bundles up to 3 feet long, max 50 lbs per bundle. Do NOT use plastic grocery or shopping bags for recyclables. Use paper bags or clear plastic bags only. Clean and dry all bottles, cans, containers before recycling.
Holiday delays. When a city-observed holiday falls during the week, trash and recycling collection may be delayed by one day for the rest of that week. Check dpw.newarknj.gov for current holiday schedule.
Newark DPW Customer Service. 973-733-3644 (DPW Sanitation). 973-733-4311 (311). Email: 4311newark@ci.newark.nj.us. dpw.newarknj.gov.
Headquarters. 62 Frelinghuysen Avenue, Newark. The center for free e-waste drop-off, free recycling bin distribution, and walk-in customer service.
Newark's donation programs accept items in good usable condition: clean upholstered furniture without significant tears or stains, working appliances less than 10 years old, mattresses in good condition (subject to program-specific rules), kitchenware, lamps, and most household goods.
Items typically not accepted: damaged or stained furniture, mattresses with bedbug history or significant wear, appliances that don't work, particle-board furniture in poor condition, cribs (federal safety regulations have changed), and exercise equipment that requires reassembly. Always call before scheduling if you're unsure, pickups that find unacceptable items will leave them behind.
For households who exceed 10 bulk items on any scheduled day, can’t wait until next month’s pickup, have items the city won’t take (construction debris, automotive parts), live in larger apartment buildings using private dumpsters, or need same-day service, paid options are available. Important: paying for private hauling on your scheduled bulk day is the legal way to handle excess, placing more than 10 items at the curb triggers $250-per-item fines.
Local New Jersey junk haulers
$80–$700For paid junk removal in Newark, use a hauler licensed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. New Jersey requires solid waste haulers to hold an A901 license, and reputable haulers will display their A901 number on quotes and trucks. Always verify licensing before booking, unlicensed haulers cannot legally collect bulk waste in NJ, and any pickup that fails leaves you exposed to the $250-per-item fine if items are left at the curb.
National brands operating in Newark: 1-800-Got-Junk and College Hunks Hauling Junk both maintain NJ A901 licensing and serve the Newark metro.
Local Northern NJ haulers: Power Cleanouts and dozens of independent operators, the NJDEP maintains a public list of licensed solid waste haulers at nj.gov/dep/dshw for verification.
Pricing: Single-item pickups start around $80; full-truck pickups range from $300 to $700 depending on volume. Always get 2–3 quotes for larger jobs.
When this beats waiting: You have over 10 items (avoid $250 fines), can’t wait until next month, items city won’t accept, in-home pickup needed, apartment without included service.
LoadUp donation pickup coordination
Free, if usableIf your items are in usable condition and you’d prefer help coordinating a donation pickup rather than scheduling directly with Salvation Army, Habitat ReStore, or a Furniture Bank, LoadUp can help facilitate donation logistics in Newark. The donation organization performs the actual pickup; LoadUp helps with scheduling and routing for usable items.
What this is: Coordination assistance for donation-eligible items going to qualified 501(c)(3) recipients. Items must be in usable condition (no significant damage, stains, or pest history). Tax receipts come from the receiving donation organization.
What this isn’t: Paid junk removal. For non-donation pickups in Newark, see licensed NJ haulers above.
Freemoval is a social impact program of LoadUp Technologies, LLC. The Freemoval subsidized pickup program is currently not available to Newark residents pending operational expansion in New Jersey. Learn about service area.
Different items have different rules in Newark. Here's a quick reference for the most common things people need to dispose of.
Newark residents can dispose of household hazardous waste through Essex County Utilities Authority (ECUA) HHW programs and periodic New Jersey state collection events. Several retailers also offer ongoing free recycling: Home Depot for batteries and CFL bulbs, AutoZone for motor oil and car batteries, Best Buy for electronics, and most pharmacies for unused medications. New Jersey state law (NJSA 13:1E-99.13) bans certain hazardous materials from landfills. Per Newark ordinance Chapter 15:4-7, hazardous refuse shall not be placed in receptacles for regular collection but shall be disposed of in accordance with State of New Jersey laws and regulations at the expense of the owner.
To report illegal dumping in Newark, call DPW Customer Service at 973-733-3644 or 311 (973-733-4311). Reports can also be filed at dpw.newarknj.gov. Include the location, description of dumped material, and a photo if possible. Newark has one of the most aggressive illegal dumping enforcement programs in the Northeast given the city's persistent dumping challenges, and the city actively prosecutes violators. Under city ordinance, the placement of bulk items at the curb on non-scheduled days OR exceeding the 10-item limit results in fines starting at $250. If you have more than 10 bulk items, hire a licensed NJ hauler the same day, single-item pickups typically start at $80, dramatically cheaper than the $250-per-item fines for excess items.
Is there really free junk removal in Newark?
Yes, Newark provides free monthly bulk collection (Zone A on 1st Wednesday, Zone B on 2nd Wednesday), with a hard 10-item-per-property limit. White goods (refrigerators, washers, dryers, ACs) get a separate free appointment via 973-733-4311. Free electronics drop-off at DPW Headquarters. Free recycling bins. Free yard waste twice a month per zone. Donation pickup through Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity Newark, Goodwill, and St. Vincent de Paul is also free for usable items. Critical: items over 10 on bulk day result in $250-per-item fines, if you have more, hire a private hauler the same day.
Why does Newark fine people $250 per item over 10?
Newark has long battled illegal dumping, bulk waste left on streets, in alleys, and in vacant lots costs the city millions in cleanup annually and creates serious quality-of-life problems for residents. The $250-per-item fine on excess bulk items is an enforcement mechanism designed to ensure people don't use the monthly free bulk pickup as cover for full-house cleanouts that should go through private haulers. The escalation is steep: First Offense $250/item, Second $350, Third $450 plus up to 90 days community service. The takeaway: if you have 11+ items, hire a private hauler the same day. Even at $300-$500 for hauling, that's dramatically cheaper than fines that would total $250+ per excess item plus daily accumulation if not abated. Licensed NJ haulers (verify A901 status) typically start at $80 for single-item pickups.
Why must mattresses be wrapped in plastic?
Newark city ordinance (Chapter 15:4) mandates that mattresses must be covered in plastic prior to disposal to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and the breeding of insects, particularly bedbugs. Newark has had bedbug outbreaks tied to discarded mattresses, and the wrapping rule is a public health measure. Use heavy-duty plastic mattress bags (sold at hardware stores and big-box retailers) or wrap thoroughly in plastic sheeting and seal with tape. Mattresses placed at the curb without plastic wrapping may not be collected and the property owner can be cited.
Why is there separate pickup for white goods (refrigerators, etc.)?
White goods, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, washers, dryers, stoves, dishwashers, require special handling. Federal EPA rules under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act require that any appliance containing refrigerants (CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs) have those chemicals professionally recovered before disposal to prevent ozone-layer damage. Newark routes white goods on a separate truck with certified technicians who recover refrigerants on site. The service is FREE for Newark residents but requires an appointment via 311 (973-733-4311) or DPW (973-733-3644). Don't place white goods at the curb with regular bulk, they won't be collected and you'll need to schedule the white goods pickup anyway.
How do I qualify for Freemoval in Newark?
Freemoval works through partner communities, typically affordable housing operators, public housing authorities, and select municipal partnerships. Newark is a high-priority market for Freemoval given the city's persistent illegal dumping challenges and the cost the $250-per-item fine system places on residents who can't afford private hauling. We’re actively expanding partnerships in Newark through 2026. If your property is part of the program, your property manager will provide a booking code. If you operate housing or work in a city department in Newark, please contact us, we want to talk.
How do I find my collection zone (A or B)?
Newark is divided into Zone A and Zone B for the purposes of trash, recycling, bulk, and yard waste pickup. To find your zone: (1) Call DPW Customer Service at 973-733-3644 with your address. (2) Visit dpw.newarknj.gov, the site has zone lookup tools and downloadable schedule maps. (3) Look at neighbors' set-out days, if your block puts trash out on Mondays and Thursdays, you're in one zone; Tuesdays and Fridays means the other. Once you know your zone, you can identify your specific bulk collection day (1st Wed for A, 2nd Wed for B), trash days (twice weekly), recycling days, and yard waste days.
How do I report illegal dumping in Newark?
Call DPW Customer Service at 973-733-3644 or 311 (973-733-4311). Reports can also be filed at dpw.newarknj.gov. Include location, description of dumped material, and a photo if possible.
Is this page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated May 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.
Freemoval is actively onboarding Newark partner properties through 2026. Reach out to prioritize your community.
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