Changes to DPW Recycling Yard Services Effective January 1, 2027

Beginning January 1, 2027, the Town of Kearny will transition recycling services currently available at the DPW recycling yard to curbside pickup only and scheduled collection services. The recycling yard will no longer be available for general resident drop-offs.

Residents will continue to have the following recycling and disposal options:

• Mixed paper, cardboard and commingled recyclables: Place items curbside for collection by Cali Carting on your regularly scheduled recycling days.
• Metals, appliances and electronics: Contact the Department of Public Works at 201-998-3700 to schedule a pickup.
• Tires: Drop-off will continue to be available on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.
• Used motor oil and Antifreeze: The DPW yard will continue to accept used motor oil and Antifreeze.

These changes are part of the Town’s ongoing efforts to streamline operations while continuing to provide essential recycling and collection services to residents.

We appreciate residents’ cooperation as we make this transition.

The Department of Public Works provides essential services to the 41,000 residents of Kearny.

Overall, responsibilities of the DPW include the maintenance of 48 miles of paved roads including:

• Street sweeping
• Snow plowing and ice control
• Traffic line painting
• Traffic sign and street name sign maintenance
• 3 sanitary water pump stations
• 4 storm water pump stations
• 6,000+ feet of drainage ditches
• 3 tide gates on the Passaic River
• 1,000+ catch basins and manholes
• Municipal Recycling Drop-Off Center
• Building maintenance at all municipal buildings
• 2,000+ trees planted on municipal right of ways and municipal parks
• 90 miles of sewers
• Maintenance and repair of 100+ vehicles and pieces of equipment

Attention residents

• 2026 Trash & Recycling Calendar (PDF)
• Latex paints will no longer be accepted during the household hazardous cleanout. You must dry out the cans with cat litter until the paint is fully absorbed and in a solid state which then can be disposed of in regular garbage.
• Alkaline batteries can now be thrown out in regular garbage as they no longer contain lead.
• Rechargeable batteries will still be accepted during the household hazardous cleanout, however you must put tape over the contacts on the batteries as they can explode and cause a fire.
• All mattresses or box springs put out for garbage collection must be wrapped in plastic.
• State of New Jersey Locations that accept material NOT accepted with your garbage or at the Recycling Facility. Click on the Link: NJDEP New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

2026 Fall Leaf Program

The fall leaf program will begin the week of November 2, 2026. All residents should place their leaves in biodegradable paper leaf bags and place them at the curb for pickup. Residents should no longer place leaves in the street on street sweeping day. There is also no longer a need to call to schedule a pickup of leaf bags, as they will be picked up from November 2, 2026 to January 8, 2027, weather permitting, in accordance with the following schedule:

Monday Zone 3 – Labeled Green on zoning map.

Tuesday Zone 2 – Labeled Red on zoning map.

Wednesday Zone – 1 – Labeled Blue on zoning map.

Thursday Zone 3 – Labeled Green on zoning map.

 Friday Zone 4 – Labeled Yellow on zoning map.

Zone map is below.

Leaf bags can be purchased Monday through Friday, 10 bags for $5.00, at the Kearny DPW, 357 Bergen Ave, between the hours of 8AM and 4PM.   Residents also may purchase biodegradable paper leaf bags from a retailer of their choice. Plastic bags of any kind will not be accepted for leaf disposable, bags must be biodegradable paper leaf bags.

Please note that only leaves should be placed in leaf bags. Grass, twigs, and any other yard waste is to be disposed of with your regular garbage pickup.

To reiterate, leaves should not be placed in the street going forward. If you are serviced by a private landscaper, please inform them that they will either have to bag the leaves and place them at the curb or haul them away. Warning notices will be issued to residents who place leaves in the street, and DPW will not pick them up. Repeat offenders will be fined up to $500 per occurrence.

• Yard Waste Ordinance

If you have any questions, or need a leaf bag pick up prior to November 2, 2026, or after January 8, 2027, please call the DPW at 201-998-3700.