Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Raritan
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.
Resident-provided standard bins Bin (Trash)
Use securely covered containers. Place at the curb by 6:00 AM on collection day, but not before 5:00 PM the day prior.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Empty/dry latex paint cans (lids off)
Yellow (Paper) & Green (Commingled) Totes/Buckets Bin (Recycling)
Raritan utilizes a dual-stream system. Do not mix paper/cardboard with plastics/glass. Do not bag recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and flattened cardboard (Yellow)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (Green)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans (Green)
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers #1 and #2 (Green)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic shopping bags
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Lightbulbs
- ✕Batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Leaves must be kept out of storm drains. Brush must be tied and bundled in lengths no greater than 4 feet.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small brush and twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Periodically scheduled or by private arrangement
Placement
Bulk items should not be placed at the curb indefinitely. Only place items out on designated clean-up days or when a confirmed pickup is scheduled.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Carpeting (cut and rolled)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Concrete and brick
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Freon appliances
Fees may apply for Freon extraction from appliances or for private bulk hauling services.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a major holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling collections are typically delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
DPW yard waste collections and drop-off facilities are suspended on all observed borough and county holidays.
Always consult the Somerset County Recycling schedule directly, as their holiday schedule may occasionally differ slightly from the Borough's municipal office closures.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Recyclables Unbagged
Never place your recyclables in plastic trash bags. Plastic bags tangle the sorting machinery at the Somerset County recycling facility. Keep items loose in their respective bins.
Pizza Boxes Are Trash
While clean cardboard is highly recyclable, grease-soaked pizza boxes are not. The grease ruins the paper recycling process. Throw the greasy bottom half in the regular trash; you can recycle the clean top half.
Sort Your Streams Carefully
Because Raritan uses a dual-stream system, mixing paper with your glass and plastic bottles is considered contamination. Take the extra moment to ensure paper goes in the yellow bin and commingled items in the green bin.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October - DecemberThe Raritan DPW operates a specialized leaf vacuuming program. Rake leaves to the curb line, ensuring they are free of rocks, twigs, and other debris that could damage the vacuum equipment.
Winter
JanuaryFollowing the holidays, the borough typically offers curbside Christmas tree collection. Trees must be completely bare—remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and stands before placing them at the curb.
Spring
April - MaySpring cleanup operations include scheduled brush and branch pick-ups. Ensure branches are bundled securely and placed at the curb according to the DPW's seasonal calendar.
About Raritan Waste Management
Efficient Waste Management in Raritan Borough
In the Borough of Raritan, keeping our community pristine is a shared responsibility between residents, the local Department of Public Works (DPW), and the Somerset County Recycling Division. Regular household garbage is managed through local hauling schedules, while recycling is strictly governed by the county's comprehensive dual-stream program. Residents must place their designated containers at the curb no earlier than the evening before collection and no later than 6:00 a.m. on pickup day.
Navigating Somerset County's Dual-Stream Recycling
Raritan participates in Somerset County's robust dual-stream recycling initiative. This means residents are required to separate their recyclables into two distinct categories to reduce cross-contamination. Paper and corrugated cardboard must be kept dry and separated from commingled glass, plastics, and aluminum. The county provides specific guidance on sorting, and failure to properly separate these materials can result in your recycling being left at the curb with a rejection sticker.
Seasonal Brush and Yard Debris Programs
The Raritan DPW takes an active role in managing organic yard waste to keep storm drains clear and neighborhoods looking their best. Brush and branch collections are scheduled during specific periods in the spring and fall. Branches must be cut to manageable lengths and bundled securely. During autumn, the borough coordinates a leaf collection program, requiring leaves to be raked to the curb line—but strictly kept out of the street and away from storm catch basins to prevent localized flooding.
Proper Disposal of Hazardous and Electronic Waste
Electronic waste, including televisions, computers, and monitors, is banned from curbside trash collection under New Jersey state law. Raritan residents must utilize Somerset County’s specialized drop-off events or the designated county recycling center in Bridgewater for these items. Similarly, hazardous materials such as oil-based paints, pesticides, and pool chemicals must be held for the county’s specific Household Hazardous Waste drop-off days.
Drop-off Facilities
Somerset County Recycling Center
40 Polhemus Lane, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Raritan use single-stream or dual-stream recycling?
Raritan Borough utilizes Somerset County's dual-stream recycling program. Residents must separate paper and cardboard (yellow tote) from glass, plastics, and cans (green tote).
How do I dispose of old televisions or computers in Raritan?
Electronic waste is prohibited in curbside trash in New Jersey. You must bring your old TVs and computers to the Somerset County Recycling Center in Bridgewater during designated e-waste drop-off events.
Can I put branches in my regular trash bin?
No. Yard waste like branches and brush must be handled separately. The Borough provides specific seasonal brush collections where branches must be cut, tied, and bundled, or residents can compost them.
What happens if my trash or recycling pick-up falls on a snow day?
During severe winter weather, pick-ups may be delayed to allow plows to clear the roads. Somerset County and the Raritan DPW will post updates on their official websites regarding adjusted collection dates.