Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Montgomery
Trash Day
Montgomery Township does not provide municipal curbside trash collection; residents contract privately with local licensed waste haulers (pickup days depend on the chosen private hauler).
Recycling
Bi-weekly on Fridays (provided county-wide by Somerset County Recycling)
Yard Waste
No regular municipal curbside collection; brush and yard waste can be dropped off at the Township Container Facility / DPW Yard.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash collection is billed directly by private haulers. Municipal sewer fees are billed separately by Montgomery Township semiannually (due June 1 and September 1).
Billing Cycle
Semiannually
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, In-Person, Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
State and local tax/utility assistance programs are available for eligible seniors, disabled persons, and low-income households (including Senior/Disabled deductions, Senior Freeze, ANCHOR, and LIHWAP).
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Bottles and Cans into Bucks Right Here in Montgomery?
While Montgomery doesn't have a dedicated local buyback center for cash on your bottles and cans, New Jersey as a whole has the "Container Deposit Act." This means you can get 10 cents back for most soda, beer, and water bottles and cans. Just look for the "CRV" or "NJ" on the label. For other scrap metal or items that might fetch a price, you'll likely need to head to a larger facility in a neighboring area. Checking online for 'scrap metal recycling near Montgomery NJ' should give you some options, but remember to call ahead to confirm what they accept and their current rates.
Give Your Gently Used Goods a Second Life in Our Community
Instead of tossing items that are still in good shape, why not donate them? In or very near Montgomery, you can check out the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in nearby Princeton. They accept furniture, appliances, building materials, and household goods. It's a fantastic way to declutter your home and support a great cause. You might also find local churches or community organizations that collect specific items like clothing or books for those in need – keeping an eye on local Montgomery news or community bulletin boards can often point you to these opportunities.
Keeping Montgomery Clean: Tackling Tossed Trash Together
Nobody likes seeing dumped trash around our beautiful town. If you ever spot illegal dumping, the best thing to do is report it. In Somerset County, you can typically report these issues to the County Mosquito Extermination Commission or Public Works department. They often have hotlines or online forms for reporting. Also, keep an ear out for community clean-up events that pop up throughout the year – these are organized efforts where neighbors pitch in to tidy up parks and common areas. Participating is a rewarding way to directly contribute to keeping Montgomery looking its best.
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.