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Leaf, Branch, and Log Collection
Not sure what section you are in? Check this list for your section.
Leaf, Branch and Log Schedule for the remainder of 2023.
- Collection will BEGIN on the date indicated. Once a street is collected in your section, we will NOT return to that street until the next collection start date for your section.
- Place material at the curb no sooner than one week prior to your section's collection start date.
- All material must be at the curb before 7:00 am on your section's collection start date.
Download and print this schedule (PDF).
| Section | Branch & Logs | Loose Leaves | Bagged Leaves |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 14 September 11 October 9 | October 16 November 13 December 18, 26 | October 16, 23, 30 November 6, 13, 27 December 4, 11 |
| 2 | August 21 September 18 October 9 | October 23 November 27 December 18, 26 | October 17, 24, 31 November 7, 14, 28 December 5, 12 |
| 3 | August 28 September 25 October 9 | October 30 December 4, 18, 26 | October 18, 25 November 1, 8, 15, 29 December 6, 13 |
| 4 | September 5 October 2, 9 | November 6 December 11, 18, 26 | October 19, 26 November 2, 9, 16, 30 December 7, 14 |
| 5 | August 21 September 5, 18 October 2, 9 | October 23 November 6, 27 December 18, 26 | October 17, 24, 31 November 7, 14, 28 December 5, 12 |
***Christmas trees, branch and logs will be collected town-wide during the month of January 2024***
On May 23, 2023, the Mayor and Council of Princeton adopted Ordinance 2023-13 regarding the leaf, branch, and log program. Below are some highlights of this ordinance:
| Loose Leaves | Bagged Leaves | Branches and Logs | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time of Collection | Spring and Fall each year | Spring and Fall each year | Spring and Fall each year |
| Placement for Collection | Loose leaves are to be placed in one pile | Bagged leaves are to be placed in biodegradable bags | Branches and logs are to be placed in one pile |
| Limitations on Quantity or Size of Materials | One pile measuring no greater in size than 3 feet in width & 3 feet in height. The pile shall not extend beyond the width of the individual property frontage | None | Branches and logs must be cut no longer than 3 feet in length & no larger than 6 inches in diameter. The pile of branches and logs shall be no greater in size than 12 feet in length, 3 feet in width & 3 feet in height |
| Where materials Must be Left for Collection | On paved roadway but not more than 3 feet into paved roadway immediately adjacent to your property | On grass that is immediately adjacent to edge of paved roadway but not on paved roadway itself or on the curb immediately adjacent to your property | On paved roadway but not more than 3 feet into paved roadway immediately adjacent to your property |
| When Materials Must be Left for Collection | Not more than 7 days prior to 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled date of collection | Not more than 7 days prior to 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled date of collection | Not more than 7 days prior to 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled date of collection |
To sign up for alerts and access the municipal waste calendar download the Recycle Coach app or visit the webpage.
Curbside Waste Tips
Please remember these tips when putting your curbside waste out for pickup:
Do:
- Check and follow your section's collection schedule.
- All yard waste must be placed by the curb prior to 7:00 a.m. on the Monday morning on the scheduled date of collection, but not more than seven (7) days prior to its start
- Consider mulching leaves to help return nutrients to the soil
- Keep branches/logs no longer 3 feet in length and no greater than 6 inches in diameter; we will not collect logs larger than this size
- Keep sidewalks and roadways clear of fallen debris
Don't:
- Assume it is your section's collection when you see neighbors' yard waste. Please check your section schedule.
- Mix materials types (branch/logs with leaves).
- Put anything other than leaves in biodegradable leaf bags. Your bags will not be collected if there is mixed material in them.
- Put grass clippings out for pick-up - grass clippings are not part of the collection program. Mulch or compost your grass clippings.
The leaf, branch and log pickup does not include grass clippings. It is recommended they be mulched back into your yard. Do not leave them out for pickup.
Emergency Information
Occasionally severe storms result in a disruption of collections for many municipal services including; leaf, branch, trash, and recycling. When this happens we will post an alert on the home page for information. You can sign up for these alerts and other website updates through our Notify Me page.
Joseph Maher Joint Ecological Facility
The Joseph H. Maher, Jr. Ecological Center is located at:
3701 Princeton Pike
Lawrence Township, NJ 08648
Yard waste accumulated after the scheduled collections can be taken by resident only to the Joseph Maher Joint Ecological Facility located at 3701 Princeton Pike, just past the intersection of Province Line Road. Branches and logs taken to the facility must be no longer than 3 feet in length and no larger than 6 inches in diameter. Compost and double ground wood chips are available free of charge to all Princeton residents and are available at the Ecological Facility.
Residents should bring their own containers or light trucks for the material. Residents also may dispose of leaves and brush during the listed hours. Absolutely no commercial vehicles!
Hours
The facility is open from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday (Saturday hours - April through November). The center is closed Saturdays from December through March.
The Joseph H. Maher, Jr. Ecological Center is closed Sundays and on Municipal Holidays:
- New Years Day
- Martin Luther King's Birthday
- Washington's Birthday
- Memorial Day
- July 4th
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Election Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving
- The day after Thanksgiving
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
Leave Leaves in Your Yard
The Princeton Environmental Commission reminds you that the easiest and most environmentally efficient way to manage your leaves is to leave your leaves in your yard. Compost them, mulch them, or rake them into an unobtrusive area of your property. Broken-down leaves will nourish your grass, plants, and trees. For a more detailed description of how and why to leave your leaves, visit the Environmental Commission's Guide to Fall Leaf Management (PDF).
Environmental Commission Guide
Princeton's Environmental Commission offers a guide to the benefits of composting and mulching leaves (PDF).
Leaf bags are for loose leaves only. Do not put any other material in them or they will not be collected. Hedge trimmings, garden clippings, branches, etc. all go out with brush pick up, not in the leaf bags.
Leaf Bag Distribution
Residents receive 40 free leaf bags for the collection of spring and/or fall leaves. The bags are a 32-gallon biodegradable paper bags and are collected more frequently than leaves blown to the street for curbside collection. Proof of residency is required.
Leaf bags are available at Ace Hardware in the Princeton Shopping Center during business hours. The leaf bag program will resume in the fall of 2023.