Moving in Caldwell, West Caldwell and Fairfield, NJ

Caldwell, West Caldwell and Fairfield sit side by side in the northwest corner of Essex County. Caldwell is a borough, West Caldwell and Fairfield are townships, and all three were carved out of the old Caldwell Township, which is today’s Fairfield (Caldwell overview; West Caldwell overview; Fairfield overview). Fairfield borders Montville, the township that includes Pine Brook, as well as Lincoln Park and Wayne (Fairfield overview). The three towns run their trash and parking a little differently, and that is where people get caught on moving day.

Caldwell: bulk days, stickers and overnight parking

Caldwell has two garbage routes. One covers the area west of Grover Cleveland Park and south of Bloomfield Avenue, and the other covers the rest of the borough. Bulk garbage goes out on the second Wednesday of the month for the Monday and Thursday route, and on the fourth Wednesday for the Tuesday and Friday route. Tables, chairs, sofas, rugs, mattresses and household debris may go to the curb on bulk day. Metal items, appliances and tires need recycling stickers; the borough’s number for sticker information is 973-403-4635 (Caldwell Garbage & Recycling).

Caldwell police take overnight street parking requests online. Approval is for one night at a time, and the police may deny a request (Caldwell Police). If you plan to leave a car or a rental van on the street the night before a move, ask first. On moving day itself, tell us if your street is narrow or busy so we can plan where the truck stops.

West Caldwell: schedule a debris pickup

West Caldwell’s Department of Public Works handles special debris pickups. To schedule one, call the DPW at 973-226-2300 during working hours, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (West Caldwell Public Works). Call early in your moving plan, not the week you move, so the pickup lands before your closing or lease end.

Fairfield: twice a month, four items

Fairfield’s refuse contractor picks up bulk items twice a month. If your household garbage goes out on Monday and Thursday, bulk day is the first and third Wednesday of the month. If it goes out on Tuesday and Friday, bulk day is the second and fourth Wednesday (Fairfield bulk collection). Keep these limits in mind:

Only four items, containers or bundles per pickup. Anything beyond four stays at the curb.
Rugs must be cut, rolled and tied in four-foot lengths.
Freon from refrigerators and air conditioners must be removed and tagged by a certified technician, and appliance doors must come off.
Bigger projects, such as a whole kitchen or a roof, need a dumpster that the homeowner arranges.

With only four items per pickup, a house clear-out in Fairfield can take several bulk days. Start a month or more ahead, or sell and donate what you can.

Chemicals and electronics in Essex County

All three towns are in Essex County. The county holds household hazardous waste days at the Essex County Public Works Facility, 99 W. Bradford Avenue, Cedar Grove. In 2026 they were held on May 2 and October 3. They are free for Essex County residents with proof of residency, you stay in your car, and latex paint, household batteries, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are not accepted (West Caldwell notice; Essex County flyer). Our guide to paint, chemicals and electronics before a move has the full picture.

Moving day tips for West Essex houses

Walk every floor before the estimate, including the attic, basement and garage.
Check the driveway and the street: can a truck back in, or will it park on the street?
Measure big pieces against the narrowest door or stair turn.
If you are selling, book the smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm inspection early. Our article on selling a house in Morris or Essex County explains the certificate.

Moving west into Morris County? See our Pine Brook and Montville moving guide or our Parsippany-Troy Hills guide.

Who licenses a move in the Caldwells and Fairfield

A move that stays inside New Jersey is an in-state move. State law requires movers who do moves within New Jersey to be licensed by the Division of Consumer Affairs, and you can check any mover’s license by calling the Division at (800) 242-5846 (NJ Division of Consumer Affairs). A & A Alliance Moving Inc, a family business since 1999, holds NJPM 000930 for New Jersey moves, NYSDOT 34875 for New York moves, and U.S. DOT No. 967970 / MC-432549 for moves between states (FMCSA record). Our guide to which license your New Jersey move needs explains the difference.

Common questions

When is bulk pickup in Caldwell, NJ?

On the second Wednesday of the month for the Monday and Thursday garbage route, and on the fourth Wednesday for the Tuesday and Friday route. Metal items, appliances and tires need recycling stickers.

How many bulk items does Fairfield, NJ take?

Four items, containers or bundles per pickup, twice a month. Your bulk days depend on your regular garbage days.

Can I park a car on the street overnight in Caldwell before my move?

Caldwell police take overnight parking requests online, one night at a time, and may deny them. Ask before you leave a vehicle on the street overnight.

How do I get an estimate for a move in the Caldwells or Fairfield?

Call (201) 814-0200 or send the quote form on this page with both addresses, your date and your main items. You get a free written estimate before moving day.

Get your free written estimate

Call (201) 814-0200 or send the quote form on this page with both addresses, the floors, elevator or stairs, your date and your main items. You get a free written estimate before moving day. More about the company: company facts.

Sources

Town rules, dates and phone numbers change. We checked every official link on this page on October 11, 2026; confirm on the linked page before you rely on it.