Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Princeton
Trash Day
Weekly pickup Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood section (bulk items collected on Wednesdays by reservation only)
Recycling
Every other week on Mondays (collected by the Mercer County Improvement Authority)
Yard Waste
Scheduled monthly collection dates by section for leaves, branches, and logs
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day (and no earlier than 7:00 PM the evening before)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Standard curbside trash collection is funded through your municipal property taxes, while municipal sewer service charges are billed quarterly alongside property taxes.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly / Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online (ACH, Credit Card), Auto-Pay, Mail, 24/7 Drop Box, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Eligible senior citizens and permanently disabled residents may qualify for New Jersey state property tax relief deductions (such as the Senior Freeze/PTR program).
Grey/Black (Princeton Municipal Logo) Bin (Trash)
All trash must fit inside the provided 64-gallon or 32-gallon wheeled cart. Carts must be placed on the road pavement no earlier than 7:00 PM the day before collection and no later than 7:00 AM on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging and plastics
Yellow or Green (County-Issued) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be completely loose in the bucket. Limit of 5 buckets per household. Must be placed at the curb by 7:00 AM on scheduled MCIA collection days.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1, #2, and #5 ONLY
- ✓Mixed paper, cardboard, newspaper, magazines
- ✓Glass food and beverage bottles
- ✓Aluminum and metal cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Plastics #3, #4, #6, and #7
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Ceramics and aerosol cans
Yard Waste Bin
Do not place yard waste at the curb more than 7 days prior to your section's collection start date. Ensure it is placed before 7:00 AM on the scheduled date.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Branches
- ✓Logs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Wednesdays (By Reservation Only)
Placement
Do not place items curbside until you have a confirmed assigned pick-up date. Items must be set out Tuesday evening or Wednesday before 7:00 AM.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (MUST be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Sofas and chairs
- ✓ Desks and non-metal furniture
- ✓ Dismantled large household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction materials
- ✕ Electronics
- ✕ Automotive parts
- ✕ Appliances (White goods)
- ✕ Flammables and hazardous waste
Bulk pickup is free as part of municipal services for eligible properties, but strictly limited to 2 items per reservation.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When your scheduled collection day falls on an observed holiday, pick-up is generally delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Leaf and branch collection operations run by the DPW are suspended on all municipal holidays.
Residents are highly encouraged to download the 'Recycle Coach' app or check the desktop widget on Princeton's website to receive automatic push notifications regarding holiday schedule shifts.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Autumn
October - DecemberDuring peak leaf-drop season, adhere strictly to the municipal section map. DPW encourages mulching leaves into your lawn, but if placing them curbside, ensure they are free of stones, branches, and trash to prevent damage to the leaf vacuums.
Spring
April - MayPrinceton typically hosts a 'Household Recycling & Shred Fest' in the spring. This is your prime opportunity to securely dispose of sensitive documents, rigid plastics, and scrap metals that cannot go in standard curbside buckets.
Winter
December - MarchWhen snow is forecasted, pull your trash carts and recycling buckets slightly back from the edge of the pavement. This ensures the DPW snowplows can clear the roads effectively without knocking over your waste bins.
Local Tips & Community Info
Cash In On Your Cans? Princeton's Recycling Rewards!
Hey Princeton neighbors! While our regular recycling bins are for keeping things out of the landfill, did you know you can actually make a little cash back on certain items? New Jersey has a great state-sponsored program for beverage containers. Look for redemption centers nearby where you can bring your empty plastic, glass, and aluminum bottles and cans. It's a win-win for your wallet and the planet! Sometimes, local scrap metal yards are also interested in larger metal items, so if you've got old appliances or bike frames you're looking to ditch responsibly, a quick call to a yard like Scrap Metal Services in Trenton or similar ones in the wider Mercer County area might just put a few bucks in your pocket before they get recycled.
Giving Good Stuff a Second Life in Princeton
Before you toss that gently used couch or those clothes you haven't worn in ages, think about giving them a new home! Princeton has some fantastic local spots that would love your donations. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore in nearby Princeton Junction is always looking for furniture, appliances, and building materials. For clothing, housewares, and books, check out the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store on Nassau Street in Princeton, or the Goodwill store in the Lawrenceville area. Donating not only helps others but also keeps perfectly good items from ending up in the trash.
Keeping Our Streets Clean: Princeton's Tidy Town Efforts
Let's all pitch in to keep Princeton looking its best! While the municipality handles regular trash, sometimes larger community clean-up events pop up. Keep an eye on the Princeton municipal website or local community boards for announcements about neighborhood clean-up days. If you happen to see illegal dumping happening, it's important to report it. The best way to do this is to contact the Princeton Public Works department or the non-emergency police line. They can dispatch someone to assess the situation and ensure the area is cleaned up properly, helping to prevent future dumping and keep our town beautiful.
Drop-off Facilities
Princeton Recycling Bucket Distribution Hub
27 North Harrison Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
Materials Accepted
Mercer County Household Hazardous Waste/E-Waste Events
Dempster Fire School, 350 Lawrence Station Rd, Lawrence Township, NJ
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get more recycling buckets?
If you need additional buckets, Princeton residents can pick up official County-issued yellow or green buckets at 27 North Harrison Street, Monday through Friday between 8:30 AM and 2:30 PM. You are allowed to use up to five buckets per household.
What if my trash doesn't fit in the 64-gallon cart?
All trash must fit inside the cart with the lid completely closed; no loose bags will be collected. If you consistently generate more waste, you can apply through the DPW to lease an additional 64-gallon cart for an annual fee of $300, or a 32-gallon cart for $150 annually.
When can I put my leaves and branches at the curb?
Yard waste is strictly regulated by neighborhood sections. You are not allowed to place leaves, branches, or logs at the curb more than seven (7) days prior to your section's officially scheduled start date.