Updated October 11, 2026
A move is the best time to clear out the garage, the basement and the closet under the stairs. In Bergen County, what you can throw away, and when, depends on the item and on your town. Start two to four weeks before moving day, because several of these programs work by appointment or only on set dates.
What should not go on the moving truck
Plan not to pack gasoline, kerosene, propane cylinders, paint thinner, pool chemicals, pesticides or other flammable or corrosive products. Use them up, give them to a neighbor who will use them, or take them to a county collection day. If you are not sure about an item, ask us before moving day, not on the truck ramp.
Bergen County hazardous waste days left in 2026
The Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) runs free household hazardous waste collections. Two dates are left this year:
- Sunday, October 18, 2026: Bergen Community College, 400 Paramus Road, Paramus (entry via Paramus Road only).
- Saturday, November 14, 2026: Bergen County Utilities Authority, 98 Empire Boulevard, Moonachie (entry via Empire Boulevard only).
The BCUA flyer says sites open at 9:00 a.m. and close promptly at 3:00 p.m., rain or shine. It is free for Bergen County residents only, ID is required, and no commercial vehicles or business waste are accepted. Accepted items include paints and varnishes, solvents and thinners, gasoline, anti-freeze, used motor oil, pesticides, fluorescent bulbs, vehicle and rechargeable batteries and propane cylinders (1 lb and 20 lb only). Do not bring electronics, paper for shredding or tires to these events. Materials that are not in their original containers must be labeled, and nothing is returned, including gas cans.
Old furniture and mattresses: your town decides
Each of Bergen County’s 70 municipalities sets its own curbside rules. A few examples from towns we serve:
- Lodi: bulky items go out with your regular household garbage after 6:00 p.m., with a limit of two bulky items per collection day. Mattresses and box springs must be wrapped in plastic, and carpets cut into 3-foot lengths and tied. The borough guide says “whole-house” or apartment cleanouts above the limits will not be collected. Metal and white goods are picked up by appointment only (DPW 973-365-4068).
- Garfield: refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, stoves and other metal are collected by appointment only on Thursdays; call the DPW by Wednesday. Metal may not go to the curb before 4:00 p.m. the night before, and the garbage hauler does not take construction materials.
- Rochelle Park: metal goods and appliances (washers, dryers, refrigerators, stoves, microwaves, air conditioners, grills, metal bed frames and more) are a special pickup. Call the DPW at 201-587-7740 with your name, address, phone number and the item; pickup is on Mondays except municipal holidays. Remove light bulbs and fuel or propane tanks first. Containers may not go to the curb before 6:00 p.m. the day before collection.
- Maywood: the borough posts a Metal and Appliance Collection form on its Garbage and Recycling page; the Recycling Depot number listed there is 201-845-2900.
Hackensack, Teaneck and other towns have their own rules. Call your DPW early, because several of these pickups work by appointment only. For more ideas, see 5 ways to get rid of old furniture before moving.
Electronics
In Lodi, electronic waste is not collected at the curb; residents can bring it to the DPW Recycling Center at 20 Richmond Street on Tuesday to Thursday from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Paramus schedules curbside collection of computers and electronics twice a month. The BCUA also holds separate electronics, tire and paper-shredding events; dates are on bcua.org.
Buying new furniture for the new home?
Bergen County still has a Sunday sales law. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:171-5.8, stores cannot sell clothing, building and lumber supplies, furniture, home furnishings or household appliances on Sunday. If you plan to replace a sofa or a fridge, shop and schedule the delivery for a weekday or a Saturday.
A simple timeline
- 4 weeks before: walk through every room and list what goes, what stays and what you will sell or donate. Check your town’s bulky and metal pickup rules.
- 2 to 3 weeks before: book appointments for metal and appliance pickups. Take paint and chemicals to the next county collection day.
- Moving week: put bulky items out only on the allowed day and time, within the limits.
- Moving day: the crew moves what you keep. Fewer items means a faster, simpler day.
Common questions
When is the next Bergen County household hazardous waste day?
Sunday, October 18, 2026 at Bergen Community College in Paramus, then Saturday, November 14, 2026 at the BCUA in Moonachie, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check bcua.org before you go.
Can I bring old paint and propane tanks to the county collection?
Yes. The BCUA accepts paints, solvents and propane cylinders of 1 lb and 20 lb, among other items. It is free for Bergen County residents with ID.
How many bulky items can I put out in Lodi?
Two bulky items per collection day, out with your regular garbage after 6 p.m. Whole-house cleanouts above the limit are not collected.
Can I buy furniture on a Sunday in Bergen County?
No. The county Sunday sales law bans Sunday sales of furniture, home furnishings, household appliances, clothing and building supplies.
Get your free written estimate
Call (800) 880-0998 or send the quote form with both addresses, the floors, stairs or elevator, your date and your main items. You get a free written estimate before moving day. Two Guys and Truck is part of A & A Alliance Moving Inc, a family business since 1999, licensed and insured, with New Jersey public mover license NJPM 000930 and U.S. DOT No. 967970; licenses and history are on our company facts page.
Town rules and county dates change. We checked the official links on this page on October 11, 2026; confirm on the linked page before you book.
Official sources
- Bergen County Utilities Authority: 2026 Household Hazardous Waste collection events (PDF)
- Borough of Midland Park: 2026 BCUA recycling program events
- Bergen County Utilities Authority
- Borough of Lodi: 2026 Garbage and Recycling Guide (PDF)
- City of Garfield: Department of Public Works
- Township of Rochelle Park: metal goods and appliances special pickup (PDF)
- Township of Rochelle Park: DPW and recycling
- Borough of Maywood: Garbage and recycling
- Borough of Paramus: Garbage and trash pickup (DPW)
- Township of Wyckoff: Why is Sunday shopping prohibited throughout Bergen County? (N.J.S.A. 2A:171-5.8)
- Bergen County: Public facilities and services report (70 municipalities) (PDF)
