Waste
The best way to minimize waste is to not create it in the first place. In Princeton there are lots of options to divert waste from the landfill and ways to reduce our consumption.
Borrow don't buy
You may be able to borrow an item you’re looking for from one of the lending libraries in town or from a neighbor.
- SP’s Lending Library loans electric landscaping equipment, sewing machines, induction cooktops and other tools
- Princeton Public Library, in addition to books, loans technology, including computers, projectors, microphones, emergency radios, and so much more
- Buy Nothing is an app and Facebook group that organizes neighborhoods to share items
- Freecycle is a website where you can find items people are looking to part with (all free, not for sale)
Food waste and compost
Keeping food out of the landfill is easier than ever in Princeton.
Here are three options to compost or recycle your food scraps:
- Compost at home
- Learn how to start a backyard compost bin with this guide from Rutgers
- Backyard chickens LOVE to eat food waste. Learn more about keeping chickens in Princeton
- Hire someone to pick up your food waste curbside
- One Compost Can and Un-Waste both service residents in Princeton
- Lower-income households can apply for FREE curbside pickup from Torus
- Join the free Municipal Food Scrap Drop-off Program
- Residents of the municipality of Princeton can sign up for this program.
Learn the recycling rules
Wishful recycling does more harm than good.
The Mercer County Improvement Authority manages all of the residential curbside recycling for Mercer County—which includes Princeton. Knowing what can (and can’t) be recycled reduces contamination which prevents recyclable items from being recycled.
- View the list of acceptable recyclables
- Got a question? Ask Recycle Coach:
- Download the Recycle Coach app to your smartphone, enter your address, and get answers to your local curbside recycling questions.
- Using the online version, enter your zip code, and ask away.
Got hard to recycle items?
- Hazardous waste:
- MCIA Household Hazardous Waste Collection and Electronics Recycling Events collect everything from aerosol cans to fluorescent bulbs and televisions from Mercer County residents. Check their schedule for dates.
- Electronic waste:
- Staples will collect electronics and office items all year round
- Find Wireless Alliance collection boxes in Monument Hall and 400 Witherspoon for cell phones & tablets (and accessories), printer cartridges, and batteries. All batteries from handheld devices are accepted. Batteries must have a small piece of tape placed on both ends to prevent electrical discharge during shipping.
- Call2Recycle boxes at local stores allow you to drop off or ship certain batteries and cell phones.
- Plastic Film
Plastic film includes: produce bags, plastic shipping envelopes, bread bags, dry cleaning bags, case wrap, packing air pillows, newspaper bags, food storage bags, product overwrap, bubble wrap, single use plastic shopping bags. All films must be clean and dry. Learn more about plastic film recycling. In the Municipality of Princeton there are multiple drop off locations for recycling plastic film:
McCaffrey’s supermarket at the Princeton Shopping Center
Princeton Municipal Building at 400 Witherspoon Street
Stone Hill Church of Princeton at 1026 Bunn Drive
Sustainable Princeton office at One Monument Hall
The Jewish Center of Princeton at 435 Nassau Street
Donate good items
Give your items to local people and organizations.
- Offer items to neighbors through your local Buy Nothing group or on Freecycle
- Donate clean items to a local organization:
- Cornerstone Community Kitchen accepts clothing, shoes, children’s books, toys and games, unopened toiletries, and cosmetics as well as household items
- HomeFront accepts household goods, food & clothing
- Princeton Public Library accepts used books
- Princeton Mutual Aid helps find homes for bicycles, laptops, tools, baby supplies, furniture, and other items
- Rescue Mission of Trenton accepts clothing, household items, and food
- SAVE accepts specific pet and office supplies
- Trenton Area Soup Kitchen accepts a variety of new items as well as used computers
- Trenton Bike Exchange accepts old bikes
- Helpsy will accept clean, dry textiles, shoes, and stuffed animals in any condition
- Got a lot of stuff or can’t move your items? These organizations will come to you:
- PickupPlease will come to your home to collect household items.
- Helpsy will come to your home to collect large clothing donations of 3 or more bags