Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Hamilton
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.
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
!Contamination Tips
Flatten Cardboard Effectively
Hamilton recycling contractors will pick up flattened cardboard placed alongside your official county bucket, which helps free up space inside the bin for other standard recyclables.
Say No to Plastic Bags
Mercer County strictly forbids bagging your recyclables in plastic garbage bags. Loose plastic film severely damages facility sorting equipment and poses significant safety hazards for sanitation workers.
Beware the 50-Pound Limit
Whether it's a standard trash can, a tied bundle of branches, or a piece of rolled-up carpet, no single item left curbside can weigh more than 50 pounds to protect the physical health of collection crews.
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.
About Hamilton Waste Management
Hamilton's Two-Day Trash Schedule
Hamilton Township offers a robust twice-a-week garbage collection program for its residents. Depending on your designated municipal zone, your trash will be picked up on either a Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday schedule. To ensure timely collection by Interstate Waste crews, residents must place their watertight bins out by 6 AM on collection day or the night prior starting at dusk.
County-Managed Recycling Buckets
Recycling in Hamilton is uniquely governed by the Mercer County Improvement Authority (MCIA) rather than the local public works department. Curbside collection occurs once every two weeks, and it is strictly mandatory to use the official yellow or green County-issued recycling buckets. The absolute 'no items in plastic bags' rule helps keep the county's sorting facility running smoothly and prevents severe worker injuries.
Navigating the 7-Item Limit & Bulk Day
Homeowners must adhere to a strict seven-item limit per trash collection day, with each individual container or bag maxing out at 50 pounds. Fortunately, on your second assigned trash day of the week, you can include up to three bulky items, such as a piece of furniture or rolled carpet. However, these large items still count toward your combined seven-item weekly maximum.
The Ecological Facility Drop-Off Advantage
For active landscapers and gardeners, Hamilton's Ecological Facility located on Kuser Road is a major community perk. The site accepts brush, branches, and leaves year-round, operating six days a week from Monday through Saturday. This facility gives residents a reliable, eco-friendly alternative to waiting for specific curbside yard waste collection days, especially during periods of heavy seasonal pruning.
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.