Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bridgewater
Trash Day
Bridgewater Township does not provide municipal curbside trash pickup; residents contract directly with private licensed waste haulers. Collection days depend on your selected private hauler.
Recycling
Curbside recycling is managed by the Somerset County Recycling Division and collected bi-weekly: Tuesdays in Sunset Lake, Thursdays in Martinsville and Thomae Park, and Wednesdays across all other township neighborhoods.
Yard Waste
Curbside leaf bag collection runs on a rotating schedule from November 1 through December 31. Eligible seniors (65+) can schedule Thursday brush collection from April through October. Free year-round yard waste drop-off is also available at 136 Foothill Road.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash removal is an individual private subscription, while municipal sewer utilities and property taxes are managed and billed by the Bridgewater Township Tax Collector's Office.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly for township taxes/sewer; Private trash hauler billing varies
Accepted Methods
Online (e-Check, Debit/Credit Card), Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Property tax and utility deductions are available for qualifying seniors, disabled persons, and veterans. Seniors 65+ also qualify for the free Township Senior Brush Pickup program.
Provided by your chosen private hauler (often grey, blue, or green) Bin (Trash)
Since trash is privately contracted, container sizes (typically 65- or 96-gallon) and bagging rules are dictated by your specific hauler.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Used paper products
Green Lid (Paper/Cardboard) and Yellow Lid (Commingled) Bin (Recycling)
Somerset County utilizes a dual-stream automated system. Totes must be placed at the curb the night before collection with the metal grab bar facing the road, at least two feet apart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1, #2, and #5
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Cardboard (loose, not tied)
- ✓Newspaper and mixed office paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Pizza boxes (soiled)
- ✕Tied cardboard
- ✕Household trash
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste can be dropped at the Foothill Road facility. For curbside brush pickup, piles must be stacked neatly in one direction, or placed in brown biodegradable bags (limit of five).
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush (up to 5 feet long)
- ✓Logs and limbs (under 6 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Biannual Drop-Off Events (May & September)
Placement
You must transport the materials yourself and present valid proof of Bridgewater residency at the gate. Rental trucks and commercial vehicles are strictly prohibited.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Carpeting
- ✓ Grills
- ✓ Small appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Household trash
- ✕ Air conditioners (Freon appliances)
- ✕ Chemicals and paints
- ✕ Tires and vehicle parts
- ✕ Electronics
The drop-off events are free for residents. However, if you need immediate curbside removal outside of these dates, you must pay your private trash hauler or a junk removal service.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because trash is private, holiday schedules vary by your contracted hauler. For county recycling, if a pickup is canceled due to severe weather, the collection is typically delayed until the next scheduled cycle, or a special makeup day is announced.
Yard Waste Exception
The Yard Waste Facility is closed on all observed municipal holidays.
Always check Somerset County's solid waste alerts for real-time recycling schedule shifts during major holiday weeks.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
January - MarchThe Foothill Road Yard Waste Facility shifts to winter operating hours (January 15th to March 15th), opening Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and closing entirely on weekends.
Spring
MayBridgewater's highly anticipated Spring Bulky Trash Drop-Off events kick off on select Saturdays in May at 15 Polhemus Lane. Prepare your old mattresses and furniture for free disposal.
Autumn
October - NovemberThe DPW distributes free biodegradable leaf bags at the municipal complex (100 Commons Way) on a first-come, first-served basis for autumn curbside collection. Grass clippings are not permitted in these bags.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Metal and More? Turn Your Scrap into Some Bucks in Bridgewater!
While Bridgewater doesn't have a dedicated local bottle redemption center right within the township for those soda and water bottles, New Jersey as a whole has a great program! Remember to look for the recycling symbol and the "NJ" on those beverage containers – you can usually get a small refund for them at participating grocery stores and redemption centers throughout the Garden State. For larger metal items or electronics you're looking to offload, check out local scrap yards in the wider Somerset County area. A quick online search for "scrap metal recycling Somerset County NJ" should point you towards places that might take your old appliances, car parts, or other metallic treasures and offer cash for them. It's a win-win for your wallet and the planet!
Giving Your Goods a Second Life: Bridgewater Donations and Beyond
Instead of tossing perfectly good items, why not give them a new home right here in Bridgewater? The Goodwill Store and Donation Center in nearby Somerville (570 Union Ave, Somerville, NJ 08876) is a fantastic place to drop off clothing, household goods, and even some furniture. If you've got larger items like furniture or building materials that are still in good shape, Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Flemington (1245 US-202, Flemington, NJ 08822) is a great option and supports building affordable housing. Donating locally helps neighbors and reduces waste, so it's always a smart choice!
Keeping Bridgewater Beautiful: Community Clean-Ups and What to Do About Trash Troubles
Bridgewater is a great place to live, and keeping it that way often involves a community effort. While specific recurring large-scale hazardous waste collection days might be announced by Somerset County periodically, it's always wise to keep an eye on the Somerset County Solid Waste division website for their schedule. If you happen to see illegal dumping, the best course of action is to report it directly to the Bridgewater Township Public Works Department at 732-469-3363. They are the ones who can address these issues and keep our streets clean. Sometimes, local environmental groups or neighborhood associations organize their own community clean-up events too, so staying connected with local news and social media can help you find out about those opportunities to pitch in!
Drop-off Facilities
Bridgewater Township Yard Waste Facility
136 Foothill Road, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Materials Accepted
Bridgewater Bulky Trash Drop-Off Site (Event Only)
15 Polhemus Lane, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bridgewater Township provide municipal trash pickup?
No, Bridgewater Township does not offer municipal household garbage collection. Residents must independently contract with a private, locally licensed waste hauler (such as Interstate Waste Services, Republic Services, or RGB Disposal) for weekly curbside trash service.
How do I get replacement recycling bins in Bridgewater?
Recycling is managed by Somerset County. If you need a new or additional 65-gallon green (paper) or yellow (commingled) tote, you must contact Somerset County Recycling directly at 732-469-3363. You can purchase additional totes by mailing a check to the County Treasurer.
Where can I throw away an old mattress in Bridgewater?
You can either pay your private trash hauler for a special bulk pickup or wait for the township's free Bulky Trash Drop-Off events. These occur on specific Saturdays in May and September at 15 Polhemus Lane. Proof of residency is required.
How does the autumn Leaf Bag Program work?
During the fall, the Bridgewater DPW distributes free brown biodegradable leaf bags at the municipal complex (100 Commons Way). Residents can fill these bags strictly with leaves (no grass or sticks) and place them at the curb for scheduled municipal collection.