Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for West Windsor
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 (64-gallon recommended) Bin (Trash)
Place trash at the curb no later than 6:00 AM on your collection day or the night before. Cans should be compatible with automatic lift trucks. Regular trash must not be in recycling buckets.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage (max 10 bags, 35 lbs each)
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Grass clippings (in closed bags)
Yellow or Green (County-Issued) Bin (Recycling)
All items must be placed loosely into the county-issued bucket. Cardboard must be flattened. Bins must be placed at the curb by 7:00 AM on scheduled MCIA days.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2 (rinsed)
- ✓Glass jars and bottles
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Mixed paper and cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Light bulbs and window glass
- ✕Aerosol cans
Yard Waste Bin
Brush and leaves are collected separately according to a zone-based seasonal schedule. Grass clippings do not count as yard waste and must go with regular trash.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush
- ✓Twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (on regular trash day)
Placement
Place bulk items at the curb no later than 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection date. Roll and tie carpet, and securely bundle wood pieces.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and tables
- ✓ Plastic patio furniture
- ✓ Small appliances
- ✓ Toilets (tank must be separated and bagged)
- ✓ Mattresses (must be completely wrapped in plastic)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Concrete, bricks, and stone
- ✕ Railroad ties
- ✕ Construction or demolition debris
- ✕ Pianos
- ✕ Large metal appliances (requires Friday pickup)
Bulk collection for 1-2 items is included in your standard municipal service. Demolition debris or excessive amounts of waste require the resident to rent a private dumpster.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Waste Management does not operate on the six major holidays listed. If your collection falls on one of these days, expect a 1-2 day delay for pickup services for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
MCIA recycling routes may also be delayed by holidays; consult the Recycle Coach app for real-time schedule adjustments.
Always check the West Windsor homepage or call Public Works at 609-799-8370 for the official adjusted schedule during holiday weeks.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Properly Dry Your Latex Paint
Latex paint can be disposed of in the trash, but it must be completely dry first [1.1.2]. Use cat litter to solidify the remaining liquid. Once hardened, place the can next to your trash bin with the lid loosely attached for inspection; never hide wet paint inside a garbage bag.
Keep Plastic Bags Out of Recycling
Plastic shopping bags and trash bags tangle the sorting equipment at the MCIA recycling facility. Take clean plastic film to local drop-offs at supermarkets like ShopRite or Target, and always place your curbside recyclables loose in the bucket.
Follow Wood and Carpet Limits
When disposing of construction remnants with regular trash, cut carpet into 4x4 foot sections and tie them (limit 10 rolls). Wood must be tied in bundles no longer than 4 feet (limit 4-6 bundles). Exceeding these limits requires renting a private dumpster.
Seasonal Information
Spring, Summer, Fall
Variable DatesThe Mercer County Improvement Authority hosts three Household Chemical Waste Disposal Days annually (Spring, Summer, Fall) at the Dempster Fire School. Save hazardous materials for these specific events.
Autumn
October - DecemberThe Public Works Department conducts strict, zone-based brush and leaf collections. Residents must check the township website or the Recycle Coach app for exact dates before placing debris at the curb.
Winter
December - MarchFollowing a snowstorm, property owners are mandated by law to clear their sidewalks within 24 hours. Keeping pathways clear ensures safety for pedestrians and allows waste haulers to easily access your bins.
About West Windsor Waste Management
Navigating Weekly Trash Collection with Waste Management
West Windsor Township contracts with Waste Management for all residential garbage collection. Residents are not supplied with official municipal bins and must provide their own receptacles. The township highly recommends purchasing a 64-gallon Toter-brand can compatible with automated lift trucks, provided it has no unauthorized logos. Alternatively, households can place up to 10 closed trash bags at the curb per pickup, with a strict weight limit of 35 pounds per bag.
Mastering Mercer County's Single-Stream Recycling
Recycling in West Windsor is managed on a county level by the Mercer County Improvement Authority (MCIA) on a bi-weekly schedule. Residents can mix acceptable materials—such as corrugated cardboard, mixed paper, glass bottles, metal cans, and plastics #1 and #2—into their yellow or green county-issued buckets. The MCIA enforces a zero-tolerance policy for plastic bags; bagging your recyclables will result in a rejected pickup.
Weekly Bulk Item Allowances and Mattress Laws
Unlike towns that require special appointments for every large item, West Windsor allows residents to place one to two bulk items at the curb alongside their regular weekly household trash. This includes couches, tables, and plastic furniture. However, there is a strict sanitary mandate regarding bedding: all mattresses must be completely wrapped and sealed in plastic before placement, though box springs may be placed out as-is.
The Unique Protocol for Grass Clippings
West Windsor has a very specific rule regarding grass clippings that differs from most municipalities. Grass must never be mixed in with standard yard debris like twigs, soil, or leaves. Instead, grass clippings must be placed in closed plastic bags or containers and set out alongside your regular household trash for collection by Waste Management. Mixing grass with brush will cause your yard waste collection to be bypassed.
Scheduling Friday Metal and Appliance Pickups
Heavy appliances, known as 'white goods', and scrap metals are strictly banned from normal Waste Management trash routes. If you need to dispose of a lawnmower, exercise equipment, bicycle, or refrigerator, you must schedule a specialized pickup with the Public Works Department. These collections take place exclusively on Fridays. For safety reasons, all doors must be removed from refrigerators and freezers, and all fuel must be drained from outdoor equipment.
Drop-off Facilities
West Windsor Public Works Drop-Off Center
70 Southfield Road, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550
Materials Accepted
John T. Dempster Fire School (MCIA Events)
350 Lawrence Station Road, Lawrence Township, NJ 08648
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I throw away a mattress in West Windsor?
You can place a mattress out on your regular trash day (limit 1-2 bulk items per pickup). However, all mattresses must be folded in half, tied, and completely wrapped in plastic for sanitary reasons. Box springs can be placed out without wrapping.
Does the township collect grass clippings with yard waste?
No. Grass clippings are not considered standard yard debris in West Windsor. They must be placed in closed plastic bags or containers and set out alongside your regular household trash. Do not mix grass with leaves or brush.
Can I recycle pizza boxes or put my recycling in plastic bags?
No, both are strictly prohibited. Pizza boxes are contaminated with grease and must go in the regular trash. Plastic bags clog the Mercer County sorting machines, so all recyclables must be placed loose in your county-issued bucket.
How do I get rid of an old refrigerator or lawnmower?
Metal items and white goods are collected separately by the Public Works Department every Friday. You must contact Public Works at 609-799-8370 to arrange a pickup. All fuel must be drained, and refrigerator doors must be completely removed for safety.