Project Move Out 2025

Join PROJECT MOVE-OUT: free bulk waste recycling initiative for Rutgers students living in New Brunswick

Rutgers University and the City of New Brunswick are partnering in Project Move Out to recover discarded furniture, appliances and textiles in order to keep these items out of landfills and reduce our carbon footprint.

Project Move Out provides for FREE curbside pick-up of bulk items ONLY for Rutgers students who pre-register between April 20 - May 19 (noon).  The collection will take place between May 21-May 23.  You will be assigned a day based upon your address.  Please note that if your apartment complex has regular garbage pick-up through a private hauler, the pick-up option is not available to you.   

Items eligible for pickup include:

• Appliances (microwaves, toaster ovens, vacuums)
• Electronics (televisions, video game consoles, cell phones, computers, monitors, printers)
• Furniture (mattresses, couches, chairs, tables, book cases, desks, rugs) Please note that any mattresses  & box springs left at the curb for collection MUST be wrapped in plastic 
• No bags of household garbage will be collected with Project Move Out.  Trash bags must be placed out for city trash collection during your regular trash pick-up.

Registration for pick up has closed.  Those who have not registered for pick up can utilize our drop off locations--see information under Alternate Bulk Waste Disposal Options.  Register by clicking here.  (If you are having trouble with the link, please use Google Chrome.) 

Benefits of participating in Project Move Out

• Collected items will be recycled.
• Individuals (landlords and tenants) will avoid municipal fines ($500-$2,000) for violations of the New Brunswick trash ordinance.

Project Move-Out Collection Schedule

Please note, items can be placed at the curb no earlier than 5pm the day prior to scheduled pick-up.  They MUST be placed at curb no later than 6am the day of scheduled pick-up.  Any items placed after the trucks have passed through your street will not be picked up as part of Project Move-Out and you risk being fined. 

Alternate Bulk Waste Disposal Options

Drop Off Locations

A Project Move Out collection area on campus is also available for students (with a Rutgers ID) to drop off their bulk waste items May 19th- May 23rd between 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

No registration necessary for drop off, Rutgers ID required.

• Location: Behind the College Ave Gym, Lot 30.  

***On Wednesday, May 21 and Tuesday, May 27 there will be a drop off location run by the City of New Brunswick on the grass triangle at the intersection of Central Ave and Bristol Street.  They will be there from 8am until 2pm (may finish earlier if the dumpsters are filled).    This drop off location is only for these 2 dates.  You will need to show your Rutgers ID to drop off your bulk items.***

Students living in New Brunswick with a valid form of identification to show that they live in the city can also drop off items with the New Brunswick Department of Public Works (DPW) at 400 Jersey Avenue on Wednesday, May 14th from 10a.m. - 2p.m. and Wednesday, May 28th from 10a.m. - 2p.m.

Additionally, you can make use of New Brunswick's E-Waste Drop Off program. On the 2nd Saturday of each month from 8am-12pm, you can drop off TV's, laptops and desk top computers to the Department of Public Works Building, located at 400 Jersey Avenue. Click here for more information.  Of note, there will be an e-waste drop-off Saturday May 10, 2025.

Additional Bulk Pick Up Options

Students are also able to schedule bulk pick up from the city according to their trash zone.  To schedule a bulk pickup, go directly to: www.cityofnewbrunswick.org/bulkpickup

Alternatively, you can call the Department of Public Works at 732-745-5015 to schedule an appointment. 

Students need to book or call for an appointment by noon the day before pick up.

Students in Trash Zone 1 (regular trash collection Mondays/Thursdays) can schedule a bulk pick up for a Monday or a Thursday and Trash Zone 2 (regular trash collection Tuesdays/Fridays) can schedule a bulk pick up for a Tuesday or a Friday. 

Items should be placed on the curb after 5pm the night before the scheduled pick up.  Students who schedule bulk pick up directly through the city can only leave up to 6 bulk items on the curb per apartment unit.   You will be fined if you leave additional items.   When booking bulk appointment with city, please confirm how many bulk items you are allowed to place curbside.  For more information visit www.cityofnewbrunswick.org/recycling or www.cityofnewbrunswick.org/bulk

Residents in other communities should check with their local Department of Public Works for bulk trash removal information.

Materials which will not be collected by Project Move Out include:

• any items that contain Freon,  ie. air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers 
• vegetative waste
• construction materials
• regular household garbage
• hazardous waste
• flammable/explosive waste
• mandatory recyclable materials