Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Plainsboro
Trash Day
Household trash collection is privatized in Plainsboro; pickup days are determined directly by your private waste hauler or HOA.
Recycling
Every other week (schedule coordinated through the Middlesex County Improvement Authority)
Yard Waste
Curbside brush pickup runs monthly from March through October (Section 1 in Apr/Jun/Aug/Oct; Section 2 in Mar/May/Jul/Sep); curbside leaf collection runs from October through December.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Regular household garbage collection is not a municipal service in Plainsboro. Residents must subscribe independently with a private hauler or through their HOA, while recycling and brush collection are provided by the township and county.
Billing Cycle
Billed directly by private hauler
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, Auto-Pay
Determined by your private hauler Bin (Trash)
Trash collection is completely privatized. You must contact your contracted private hauler directly to find out their specific container limits, acceptable items, and placement times.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Blue 95-Gallon ASL Cart (MCIA) Bin (Recycling)
Commingle all accepted items loosely. The cart must have 4 feet of clearance on all sides. Place at the curb by 6:00 a.m. with the silver bar facing the street.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles, jars, jugs, and tubs (1 gallon or less)
- ✓Aluminum, steel, and tin cans
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper and newspapers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Textiles
- ✕Batteries and electronics
- ✕Construction debris
Yard Waste Bin
Brush must not be mixed with leaves, grass clippings, roots, or stumps. Branches must be neatly stacked with butt-ends facing the street. Leaves must never be placed within 10 feet of a storm drain.
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush
- ✓Tree limbs (under 3 inches in diameter)
- ✓Leaves (during fall collection only)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Four Saturdays per year (Drop-Off Only)
Placement
Do not leave bulk items at the curb. You must drive them to the Conservation Center on Grovers Mill Road between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on the designated event days. Proof of residency is required.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Electronics (TVs, laptops, monitors)
- ✓ Bicycles
- ✓ White goods and appliances
- ✓ Lawn mowers (gas and oil must be fully drained)
- ✓ Wood scrap and small masonry quantities
Not Accepted
- ✕ Curbside recyclables (cardboard, plastic bottles)
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals
- ✕ Large-scale commercial construction and demolition debris
The municipal drop-off events are free for residents. If you need immediate disposal outside of these dates, you must pay your private hauler for a special curbside pickup or pay a regional private transfer station.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Holiday disruptions for regular garbage are determined solely by your private waste hauler. For bi-weekly curbside recycling, the MCIA generally slides collections one day later if a major holiday falls on a weekday.
Yard Waste Exception
The Conservation Center on Grovers Mill Road is generally closed on holidays. Always check the township calendar for any scheduling changes to Bulk Drop-Off Saturdays.
During severe winter weather, utilize the Recycle Coach app or the MCIA hotline (800-488-6242) for emergency recycling delays.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall
October - DecemberDedicated leaf collection occurs in two major sweeps based on your street location. Rake leaves to the curbside (never into the street or near storm drains) no earlier than seven days prior to your scheduled pickup. Do not bag them.
Winter
JanuaryPlainsboro Public Works conducts curbside Christmas tree pickups every Monday throughout the month of January. Ensure all ornaments, lights, stands, and plastic bags are completely removed before placing the tree at the curb.
Spring/Summer
March - OctoberCurbside brush collection operates on a rotating monthly schedule based on your neighborhood (Section 1 vs. Section 2). Check the township's street-by-street calendar to know which specific months your property is eligible for pickup.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Old Cans into Cash Right Here in Plainsboro!
Did you know you can actually get paid for some of your recyclables? While Plainsboro focuses on curbside pickup for most things, New Jersey has a state-wide program for beverage containers. If you've got empty bottles and cans from soda or other drinks that have that 'NJ' deposit on them, you can redeem them for a small refund. You might find local redemption centers or grocery stores that accept them. It's a great way to make a little extra cash while keeping those items out of the landfill!
Giving Your Unwanted Stuff a Second Life in Plainsboro
Got items that are still perfectly good but you just don't need anymore? Instead of tossing them, consider donating them! Plainsboro is close to some fantastic places that would love to give your gently used clothing, furniture, or household goods a new home. Check out organizations like the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Ewing, which accepts donations of building materials and home goods, or look for local thrift shops that support community programs. It's a win-win: declutter your home and help someone else out.
Keeping Plainsboro Beautiful: Special Cleanups and What to Do with Nasty Stuff
Sometimes, we end up with things that can't just go in the regular trash, like old paint, chemicals, or electronics. Plainsboro and the surrounding Middlesex County area often hold special collection days for household hazardous waste. Keep an eye on local announcements or the county's website for dates and locations. If you ever see trash dumped illegally, it's important to report it so the town can address it. This helps keep our shared spaces clean and safe for everyone to enjoy.
Drop-off Facilities
Plainsboro Conservation Center
Grovers Mill Road, Plainsboro, NJ 08536
Materials Accepted
Middlesex County Solid Waste Management HHW Events
Various locations across Middlesex County
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Plainsboro Township provide weekly garbage pickup?
No. Plainsboro Township does not offer municipal garbage collection. Residents, or their Homeowner Associations, must contract directly with a private waste hauler (such as Republic Services or Waste Management) for their regular curbside trash service.
How do I correctly place my new 95-gallon recycling cart at the curb?
To allow the MCIA's Automated Side Load trucks to operate safely, your cart must be placed at the curbline with the silver pick-up bar facing the street and the wheels facing your home. You must ensure there is a minimum of 4 feet of clearance on all sides, free from mailboxes, cars, and utility poles.
How can I dispose of an old couch or mattress in Plainsboro?
Since there is no municipal curbside bulk pickup, you have two options. You can either pay your private trash hauler a fee for a special curbside pickup, or you can wait for one of Plainsboro's four annual 'Bulk Waste Drop-Off' Saturdays to bring the item to the Conservation Center on Grovers Mill Road for free.
Can I put tree branches and leaves out together for pickup?
No. The Plainsboro Public Works Department strictly prohibits mixing brush with leaves, grass clippings, or roots. Brush is collected on a rotating monthly schedule between March and October, while leaves are collected during a dedicated phase in the late fall.