Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lawrence
Trash Day
Collection days vary by street and zone across Monday through Friday. Bulk waste is collected on the last Friday of each month.
Recycling
Every other Monday
Yard Waste
Monthly collection by designated zone (Zones 1–4) from January through October
Set Out Time
By 5:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside trash and Mercer County recycling services are funded through local property taxes, so residents do not receive an individual monthly trash bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Eligible seniors and disabled residents can qualify for property tax relief through state and township programs such as Senior Freeze (PTR) and ANCHOR.
Blue (95-gallon or 35-gallon) Bin (Trash)
Place your blue cart at the curb no earlier than 5:00 P.M. the day prior, and no later than 5:00 A.M. on collection day. Carts must be removed within 48 hours of pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Regular household garbage
- ✓Small broken household items
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Bagged grass clippings
Yellow or Green Buckets Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is picked up every other Monday by the MCIA. Place official buckets at the curb by 6:00 A.M. Do not bag recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastics #1, #2, #5
- ✓Corrugated cardboard
- ✓Mixed office paper and magazines
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Hazardous waste
- ✕Food-soiled cardboard
Yard Waste Bin
Place vegetative materials at the curb just before your designated zone collection week. Piles cannot exceed 12 feet long, 3 feet high, and 4 feet from the curb edge.
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush
- ✓Branches (under 6 inches in diameter and 3 feet in length)
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Tree parts (no stumps)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Last Friday of each month
Placement
Place all bulk items next to your blue cart. Items too large for the collection vehicle hopper will not be picked up. Metal appliances require a separate appointment.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Carpeting (cut to 5-foot sections, max 50 lbs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Windows and mirrors (must be taped with criss-cross strips)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction materials
- ✕ Electronics
- ✕ Sod and loose yard waste
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals
Standard monthly bulk collection is included in municipal services. Metal items and white goods are collected for free but require a scheduled appointment by calling 609-587-1894.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a holiday falls on Monday or Tuesday, trash collection scheduled for that day happens the Saturday BEFORE the holiday. If it falls on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, collection happens the Saturday AFTER the holiday.
Yard Waste Exception
The Ecological Center is closed on all township-observed holidays. MCIA recycling missed on a Monday holiday is picked up the following Saturday.
Always check the Lawrence Township Municipal Calendar or call Public Works to verify specific holiday shift dates.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Autumn
November - DecemberStandard brush collection is entirely suspended during November and December. During these months, the Public Works Department focuses solely on the township-wide leaf collection program.
Winter
December - MarchThe Joseph H. Maher, Jr. Ecological Center alters its operating schedule in the winter, completely closing on Saturdays. Plan your yard waste drop-offs during the week.
Spring/Summer
April - OctoberBrush collection runs steadily through these months based on your 1-4 zone schedule. Ensure landscapers do not place yard waste out earlier than the weekend prior to your zone's collection week.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Cans to Cash in Around Lawrence? Here's the Scoop!
Thinking about tossing those empty cans and bottles? Hold on a sec! While Lawrence Township doesn't have specific local buyback centers listed for instant cash, remember New Jersey has a state-wide bottle deposit law. That means you can usually get a few cents back on most beverage containers at participating grocery stores and redemption centers. Look for places like the Bottle King in Lawrenceville (which is super close!) or other local supermarkets that advertise bottle returns. It's a little way to help the environment and your wallet!
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Lawrence
Instead of throwing out items that are still good, why not give them a new home? Lawrence Township residents have a few great options. The Trenton Rescue Mission Thrift Store is usually a good spot to drop off clothing, household goods, and furniture. Also, keep an eye out for Habitat for Humanity ReStores in the wider Mercer County area; they often accept donations of building materials, furniture, and home decor. It’s a fantastic way to help out neighbors and reduce waste.
Keeping Lawrence Beautiful: Tackling Bulky Items and Dumping
While your regular bulky item pickup is covered, sometimes you might see bigger things left out or unfortunately, illegal dumping. If you notice anything suspicious or a mess that shouldn't be there, don't try to handle it yourself. The best thing to do is report it directly to the Lawrence Township Public Works Department. They have specific procedures for dealing with these situations and keeping our streets clean and safe for everyone. You can usually find their contact number on the township's official website.
Drop-off Facilities
Joseph H. Maher, Jr. Ecological Center
3701 Princeton Pike, Lawrence Township, NJ 08648
Materials Accepted
Lawrence Township Public Works (E-Waste)
240 Bakers Basin Road, Lawrence Township, NJ 08648
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispose of a mattress or box spring in Lawrence Township?
You can place mattresses and box springs at the curb on the last Friday of the month during normal bulk collection (limit of 3 total bulky items). However, they must be completely wrapped in protective plastic.
When is my recycling collected and who is in charge of it?
Recycling is managed by the Mercer County Improvement Authority (MCIA) and is collected every other Monday. Items must be at the curb by 6:00 a.m. in the provided yellow or green buckets.
Can I leave grass clippings out for brush collection?
No, loose grass cannot be placed at the curb. The township recommends 'Cut it and leave it,' but if you must dispose of it, grass clippings must be bagged and placed inside your blue trash cart or taken to the Ecological Center.
How do I throw away a refrigerator or metal appliance?
Large metal items, including ovens, washers, dryers, and refrigerators, are collected by appointment only. You must call the Public Works Department at 609-587-1894 to schedule a specialized pickup.