Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Hamilton
Trash Day
Twice weekly on either Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Every two weeks (bi-weekly) on your designated neighborhood collection day.
Yard Waste
Curbside brush collection is provided periodically for bundled branches; seasonal leaf collection runs in the late fall, and yard waste is accepted year-round at the Ecological Facility.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day (or starting at dusk the evening before)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside trash collection is provided through township municipal services, while sewer utility bills are separate and billed semi-annually (due March 1st and October 1st).
Billing Cycle
Semi-Annually for sewer utility; Included in Property Taxes for residential trash
Accepted Methods
Online (E-Check, Credit/Debit Card), ACH Direct Withdrawal, Mail, In-Person
Any standard color Bin (Trash)
Receptacles must be metal or plastic, watertight, maximum 35 gallons, and have a lid. Maximum 50 lbs per container. Total limit of 7 bags or cans per pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household trash
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Yellow or Green County-issued buckets Bin (Recycling)
Items must be placed unbagged in official Mercer County recycling buckets by 7:00 AM. Absolutely no plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard (can be left outside bucket)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic containers
- ✓Metal cans
- ✓Mixed paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Curbside brush must be cut to 4-foot lengths, tied and bundled, or placed in unbagged containers (under 50 lbs). Drop-off is widely available at the Ecological Facility.
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush
- ✓Branches
- ✓Leaves
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Second garbage collection day of the week
Placement
Place your items curbside alongside regular trash by 6 AM. Large bulk items must be broken down into manageable pieces weighing under 50 pounds.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Carpet (cut to 5 ft lengths and tied)
- ✓ Wood doors
- ✓ Mattresses
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics and Televisions
- ✕ Freon appliances
- ✕ Large construction or demolition debris
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals
Bulk disposal is free for standard residential household items, provided they fit within the 7-item weekly limit. Dumpster rentals are required at the resident's expense for major home or basement cleanouts.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
There is no garbage collection on these major observed holidays. Service is typically rescheduled to the next regular collection day or a specially designated Saturday make-up day.
Yard Waste Exception
Curbside yard waste operations may be altered around major holidays, particularly during the intensive fall leaf sweeping months.
Residents are encouraged to check the Hamilton Township website or call the DPW Call Center at 609-586-0311 to confirm exact holiday make-up schedules.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall
Late October to DecemberCurbside brush and branch pickup is entirely suspended during the Fall Leaf Program. This suspension allows public works crews to dedicate all resources to the heavy gutter leaf collection across the township.
Winter
December to MarchSignificant snowfall may prompt the township to pull garbage trucks off their routes for emergency plowing duties. Monitor the HAMStat alert system for weather-related collection delays, which typically shift pickups to the next scheduled day.
Spring/Summer
April to SeptemberThe Hamilton Ecological Facility on Kuser Road offers extended evening hours on Wednesdays until 6:30 PM for residents looking to drop off excess yard waste and grass clippings after work during the busy growing season.
Local Tips & Community Info
Cash for Cans and Bottles: Where Hamilton Residents Can Score Some Extra Green
Did you know some of your recyclables can actually put money back in your pocket right here in the Hamilton area? While the ACUA handles a lot of our recycling, for those plastic bottles and aluminum cans you're tossing, consider hitting up a state-approved redemption center. New Jersey has a solid program for this! You might not find a big scrap yard directly in Hamilton for small amounts, but it's worth checking out places in neighboring towns that participate in the bottle deposit system. A quick search for "NJ bottle redemption centers" will point you towards locations where you can cash in those empties and feel good about it.
Giving Your Goods a Second Life: Hamilton's Donation Hotspots
Got stuff that's still got some life left in it but you just don't need anymore? Before it heads to the curb, think about donating! In or very near Hamilton, you'll find organizations that would love your gently used furniture, clothing, and household items. Habitat for Humanity ReStores are fantastic options, often accepting a wide range of items that help fund their building projects. Also, keep an eye out for local church thrift shops or Goodwill locations in the surrounding areas. It's a wonderful way to help out neighbors and keep usable items out of the landfill.
Keeping Hamilton Beautiful: Tackling Dumped Trash and Special Cleanups
Seeing junk piled up where it shouldn't be is a real bummer for our community. If you happen upon illegal dumping in Hamilton, the best thing to do is report it. You can usually call the township's public works or code enforcement department directly. For larger, town-wide efforts, keep an eye on local news and the township's official website for announcements about community clean-up days. These events are super important for beautifying our shared spaces and often have a great turnout. Plus, the ACUA sometimes holds special collection days for household hazardous waste, so if you have things like old paint or electronics, check their schedule for those opportunities.
Drop-off Facilities
Hamilton Township Ecological Facility
1360 Kuser Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the household garbage limit in Hamilton, NJ?
Residents are allowed a maximum of 7 bags or containers per regular collection day. Each can or bag must weigh no more than 50 pounds, and standard trash cans must not exceed a 35-gallon capacity.
How do I get rid of bulk furniture in Hamilton Township?
You can easily dispose of up to three bulky items, such as couches or mattresses, by placing them curbside on your second scheduled garbage collection day of the week. Remember, these bulk items count toward your total 7-item daily limit.
Why didn't my recycling get picked up from my generic bin?
The Mercer County Improvement Authority (MCIA) handles recycling and strictly requires residents to place their materials in the official County-issued yellow or green buckets. Items left in non-standard bins or inside plastic garbage bags will be intentionally rejected by crews.
Where can I drop off excess yard waste and branches?
Residents can drop off unbagged brush, branches, leaves, and grass clippings at the Hamilton Township Ecological Facility located at 1360 Kuser Road. The facility is open to residents Monday through Saturday.