Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Montgomery
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.
Determined by your private hauler Bin (Trash)
Since trash collection is privatized, residents must follow the specific bin size, weight limit, and curbside placement rules established by their individually contracted hauling company.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Bagged loose trash
Blue Bucket or Tote Bin (Recycling)
Commingle accepted recyclables loosely in your container. Never bag recyclables in plastic bags. Place at the curb according to the bi-weekly Somerset County schedule.
Accepted Items
- ✓Newspapers and mixed paper
- ✓Flattened corrugated cardboard
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers #1 and #2
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Plastics #3 through #7
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Household batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Brush and branches must be dropped off at the Container Facility via a free appointment. Individual pieces cannot exceed 4 inches in diameter or 4 feet in length. Leaves and grass clippings are not accepted.
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush
- ✓Branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By Appointment Only (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and one Saturday a month)
Placement
Do not leave bulk items at the curb. You must drive them to the Container Facility and unload them yourself during your reserved time slot.
Accepted
- ✓ Household bulk items
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Hot water heaters
- ✓ Washers and dryers
- ✓ Refrigerators and dehumidifiers
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Leaves and grass clippings
- ✕ Contractor or commercial waste (without a special permit)
- ✕ Recyclables collected curbside
A $10 fee applies per appointment for general household bulk waste (plus a $3 convenience fee if paid online). Brush, scrap metal, and used motor oil drop-offs are free but still require an appointment.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Your holiday trash pickup schedule is determined solely by your private hauler, so always check with them directly. Somerset County curbside recycling typically slides one day forward following a major holiday.
Yard Waste Exception
The Montgomery Township Container Facility is closed on all municipal holidays, meaning Tuesday or Thursday appointments will be suspended on those dates.
For any weather-related or holiday delays regarding recycling, monitor the Somerset County Recycling notifications.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Strict Plastic Number Limits
Somerset County's recycling program only accepts plastic bottles and containers stamped with a #1 or #2. If the item is marked #3 through #7 (such as many yogurt tubs, clamshells, or takeout containers), it must be thrown in your regular household trash.
Keep It Loose and Unbagged
Never place your recyclables inside plastic grocery bags or garbage bags. Plastic bags wrap around the gears at the county recycling center, causing severe equipment jams and safety hazards for workers.
Batteries Cause Fires
Never put household batteries, especially lithium-ion or rechargeable ones, in your curbside recycling bin. They can spark when crushed by the collection trucks and cause catastrophic fires. Save them for a county HHW drop-off day.
Seasonal Information
Spring/Summer
March - AugustThe Container Facility is highly utilized during spring cleanouts. Be aware that utility trailers larger than 4 feet by 8 feet are prohibited. If you rent a commercial vehicle for your cleanup, you must purchase a $40 One-Time Special Permit from the Clerk's Office.
Fall
September - NovemberDuring autumn cleanups, note that leaves and grass clippings are explicitly prohibited at the Container Facility's brush drop-off area. Residents must compost them on-site or follow their private hauler's yard waste protocol.
Winter
December - FebruaryDuring severe winter weather, the Public Works department prioritizes anti-icing and plowing. To prevent damage and missed collections, place your bins in your driveway apron rather than in the street where plows operate.
About Montgomery Waste Management
Navigating Private Trash Collection in Montgomery
In Montgomery Township, regular household garbage collection is entirely privatized. The municipality does not provide tax-funded curbside trash removal, meaning residents must independently contract with a private waste hauler. If you are moving into a townhome or condominium community, check with your property management company first, as they often secure a community-wide contract. Bin limits, pickup days, and specific rules will vary completely based on your chosen provider.
County-Managed Curbside Recycling
While trash is handled privately, curbside recycling is managed on a bi-weekly schedule by Somerset County. Residents can use blue buckets or totes to single-stream their recyclables, which include flattened cardboard, paper, glass bottles, aluminum cans, and plastics limited strictly to #1 and #2. Ensure your containers are placed at the curb the night before or early morning on your county-designated collection day.
The Montgomery Township Container Facility
When your private hauler won't accept a large bulky item, the Montgomery Township Container Facility serves as your primary disposal hub. Located near the Public Works yard, this facility allows residents to drop off bulk waste, provided they make a prepaid $10 appointment in advance. The facility operates on non-holiday Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and on one designated Saturday per month.
Free Disposal Exceptions for Specific Materials
Although general bulk household items require a $10 fee at the Container Facility, the township offers free drop-offs for three specific categories: brush and branches, used motor oil, and designated scrap metal items (like washers, refrigerators, and lawnmowers). You still must secure a non-paid appointment online before arriving. Note that branches must be cut down to a maximum of 4 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length.
First Saturday Recycling and HHW Events
For hazardous or difficult-to-recycle materials, Somerset County's "First Saturday of the Month" drop-off at the Bridgewater facility is a vital resource for Montgomery locals. This site accepts tires, scrap metal, antifreeze, and standard curbside items. Furthermore, the county hosts periodic Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) days to safely dispose of dangerous items like lithium batteries, pesticides, and oil-based paints, which are strictly banned from your regular trash.
Drop-off Facilities
Montgomery Township Container Facility
12 Harlingen Road, Belle Mead, NJ 08502
Materials Accepted
Somerset County Recycling Center
40 Polhemus Lane, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who picks up my garbage in Montgomery Township?
The Township does not provide municipal garbage collection. Residents must contract directly with a private waste hauler for their weekly curbside trash service.
How do I dispose of a mattress or old couch?
Since there is no municipal curbside bulk pickup, you can bring large household items to the Container Facility by making a $10 prepaid appointment online. Alternatively, you can ask your private hauler if they offer a special bulk pickup at your curb for an extra fee.
Can I recycle my old TV or computer at the curb?
No, electronic waste is banned from landfills by New Jersey law and cannot be placed in your curbside bin. You must bring electronics to a designated Somerset County E-Waste drop-off event or to the county's First Saturday recycling days in Bridgewater.
Where can I drop off tree branches and brush?
Montgomery residents can drop off brush and branches at the Container Facility for free. However, you must still make a non-paid appointment online before arriving. Branches cannot exceed 4 inches in diameter or 4 feet in length, and no leaves or grass clippings are allowed.