Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bridgewater
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.
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
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of County Totes
Somerset County strictly prohibits plastic bags in both the green and yellow recycling totes. They jam the sorting facility's gears. Take plastic shopping bags to local grocery stores or Target instead.
Do Not Tie Your Cardboard
Many people mistakenly bundle cardboard with twine. Somerset County requires that all corrugated cardboard be flattened and placed completely loose inside your green-lidded tote.
Respect the Dual-Stream Lids
Never mix materials between your containers. The green lid is strictly for paper and cardboard, while the yellow lid is reserved exclusively for rinsed glass, plastics, and metal cans.
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.
About Bridgewater Waste Management
Bridgewater Township Waste Collection Setup
Unlike many municipalities, Bridgewater Township does not provide curbside household garbage collection. Residents are responsible for contracting their own solid waste pickup through private, locally licensed haulers such as Interstate Waste Services (which recently acquired Bridgewater Disposal Services), Republic Services, or RGB Disposal. However, the township's Department of Public Works (DPW) aggressively manages supplemental services like yard waste drop-offs and special bulky trash events.
Somerset County Managed Recycling
Curbside recycling in Bridgewater is completely centralized and managed by the Somerset County Recycling Division. Pickups occur on alternating Wednesdays via an automated dual-stream system. Residents are issued specific 65-gallon rolling totes: a green-lidded tote dedicated solely to cardboard and paper, and a yellow-lidded tote for commingled glass, plastics, and cans.
Township Yard Waste Facility & Programs
To manage organic debris, Bridgewater operates a dedicated Yard Waste Facility at 136 Foothill Road. Locals can routinely drop off brush, logs (under six inches in diameter), and leaves. In addition, the township supports a highly popular autumn Leaf Bag Program, distributing free brown biodegradable bags at the municipal complex for a scheduled curbside collection.
Biannual Bulky Trash Drop-Off Events
Since standard trash haulers often charge extra for large items, the township hosts free Bulky Trash Drop-Off events at 15 Polhemus Lane. Generally scheduled for specific Saturdays in May and September, these events allow locals to safely dispose of old furniture, mattresses, and carpeting. Proof of residency is strictly enforced at the gate, and commercial vehicles are turned away.
Snow Operations & Curbside Safety
During the harsh New Jersey winter months, the Bridgewater DPW requires all residents to remove their private trash bins and county recycling totes from the street during snow events. Snow plow operators need completely clear roadways to effectively clear ice and snow. The township assumes no liability for damaged bins or basketball hoops left in the public right-of-way.
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.