Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bernards Township
In New Jersey, municipal refuse and recycling routes operate weekly. Your exact collection days are determined by your local borough or township.
State Mandate
The NJ Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act requires all residents to separate designated recyclables.
Varies by private hauler Bin (Trash)
Trash services are fully privatized. Homeowners must contact their private hauler for specific container sizes, weight limits, and curbside placement times.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and packaging
Blue buckets or totes (Somerset County) Bin (Recycling)
Placed curbside according to the Somerset County bi-weekly schedule. Keep separated from trash. Cardboard must be tied into 2-foot bundles if not in a tote.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1-7 (bottles and containers)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Mixed paper and junk mail
- ✓Corrugated cardboard (flattened and tied)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Household hazardous waste
- ✕Electronics (TVs, computers)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Pizza boxes
Yard Waste Bin
Must be self-hauled to the Pill Hill Recycling Center (weekends only). No grass clippings, stumps, roots, or treated lumber. Brush must be bundled, max 3-4 feet long.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush and small twigs
- ✓Wood scrap (chippable, untreated)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Drop-off only (Weekends at Pill Hill)
Placement
Drop-off only at 150 Pill Hill Road. You must present your permit card and proof of residency to the gate attendant.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Carpeting and padding
- ✓ Attic clean-out debris
Not Accepted
- ✕ Asbestos and asphalt shingles
- ✕ Sheetrock or drywall
- ✕ Wet paint and hazardous chemicals
- ✕ Heavy truck or equipment tires
- ✕ Electronics (TVs, computers)
The annual permit includes 4 free credits. Additional credits cost $60 each. Passenger tires incur a $5 fee ($10 if on the rim).
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because trash is collected by private haulers, residents must check directly with their chosen company for holiday schedule delays.
Yard Waste Exception
The Pill Hill Recycling Center is generally closed on major holidays that fall on a weekend. Somerset County recycling routes are typically delayed by one day if a major holiday falls on a weekday.
Always verify the Somerset County recycling calendar or the Recycle Coach app for precise holiday shifts affecting your bi-weekly pickup.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Never Bag Recyclables
Somerset County strictly prohibits placing recyclables inside plastic bags or trash bags. Items must be placed completely loose in your blue buckets or totes to prevent the county's sorting facility machinery from jamming.
Keep Grass Out of Yard Waste
While the Pill Hill facility is great for leaves and brush, grass clippings are strictly banned. Do not mix grass in with your leaf drop-offs, or the entire load will be rejected by the gate attendant.
Tie and Bundle Excess Cardboard
If you have excess corrugated cardboard that doesn't fit in your recycling bucket, it must be flattened, tied, and bundled into 2-foot squares. Loose, unbundled cardboard left on the ground will not be collected by the county trucks.
Seasonal Information
Spring & Autumn
April, May, June, October, NovemberTo accommodate heavy seasonal yard cleanups, the Pill Hill Recycling Center operates with extended Sunday hours (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM) exclusively during these five months [1.2.1].
Winter
November - MarchPill Hill reduces its operating hours to Saturdays only (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM) during the colder months. During snowstorms, residents are asked to keep bins clear of snow plows on the roadways.
Year-Round
First Saturday of every monthSomerset County holds a First Saturday Drop-Off event at the Bridgewater facility where residents can recycle tires, scrap metal, and standard curbside items in one trip.
About Bernards Township Waste Management
Navigating Private Trash Collection in Bernards Township
Bernards Township does not offer municipal curbside garbage pickup [1.1.1]. Residents and property owners are entirely responsible for independently contracting with a licensed private hauler for their weekly household trash. Because container rules, weight limits, and pickup schedules vary by company, residents must contact their chosen provider directly to understand what is accepted in their regular trash.
County-Managed Bi-Weekly Recycling
While trash is privatized, curbside recycling is a public service handled by the Somerset County Recycling Division on a bi-weekly basis. Residents receive blue buckets or wheeled totes (depending on their neighborhood's transition status) and must separate mandatory recyclables like glass, plastic, aluminum, and paper. Somerset County provides specialized pick-up schedules and enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy for plastic bags in the recycling stream.
The Pill Hill Drop-Off Facility
To manage items not collected at the curb, the Township operates the Pill Hill Recycling Center strictly on weekends. This facility provides a local solution for disposing of bulky household waste, furniture, and mattresses. To gain entry, residential property owners must first apply for an annual Electronic Permit Card through the Department of Public Works (DPW) office on South Maple Avenue. The permit is exclusively for Bernards Township residents; commercial contractors are banned.
Understanding the Pill Hill Credit System
The Pill Hill permit comes pre-loaded with four disposal credits annually for bulky waste. The number of credits deducted per visit depends on your vehicle size: a standard car uses one credit, a minivan uses two, and a full-size pickup truck uses all four. If you run out of credits, additional ones can be purchased from the township for $60 each. Notably, no credits are deducted if you are only dropping off yard waste, corrugated cardboard, or scrap metal.
Handling Leaves, Brush, and Yard Trimmings
Bernards Township does not provide curbside yard waste or leaf collection. Homeowners must self-haul their leaves, brush, and small twigs (up to 12 inches in diameter) to the Pill Hill facility for free drop-off. All yard waste must be emptied from bags or containers. It is critical to note that grass clippings are strictly prohibited at Pill Hill and will be rejected by the gate attendant.
Drop-off Facilities
Pill Hill Recycling Center
150 Pill Hill Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Materials Accepted
Somerset County Recycling Center
40 Polhemus Lane, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bernards Township have municipal trash collection?
No, the township does not provide municipal garbage collection [1.1.1]. Residents must independently hire a licensed private hauler to handle their regular household trash.
How do I get a permit for the Pill Hill Recycling Center?
Residents can obtain a free annual Pill Hill Electronic Permit Card by visiting the DPW office at 277 South Maple Ave during weekday business hours, or by emailing their driver's license and property address to [email protected].
How much does it cost to drop off a mattress at Pill Hill?
The Pill Hill permit comes with 4 free credits per year. Dropping off a mattress as part of a carload uses 1 credit. A small pickup truck uses 2 credits. If you run out of credits, additional ones cost $60 each.
Can I drop off grass clippings at Pill Hill?
No, grass clippings are strictly prohibited at the Pill Hill Recycling Center. You must manage them on your own property or coordinate disposal directly with your private landscaper or trash hauler.