Somerset County Recycling Center in
Bridgewater Township (NJ)

These workers were great. My bins got blocked by construction equipment and I called them to let them know. They came the next day and picked everything up. Such great service!

My experience today was very poor because the hours for Electronic Waste Recycling are til 3:30 on the Internet and when I got there at 3:15, the gate was locked and the hours on the sign say they close at 3:00. No room to turn around, I had to back down the entrance road.

For the past month the township recycling has missed my house and the rest of the street on their biweekly pick-ups. The driver clearly has zero clue of his route as he picks up the opposite side of the street and never comes back around to our side. This is unacceptable and has not been rectified. At this point we will be throwing all recycling in the trash as it’s not worth our time to pay taxes and not get a service we pay for.

This is one of the worst collection facility when it comes to their services. They basically want the homeowner to do their recycling job for them. The flattened, bow-tied, cut down to 2x2 cardboard rule? This can’t be serious. What if I have no strength and no one else to break these boxes down to 2x2? What if I’m elderly, what if I’m disabled? Oh and not only they don’t pick up the flattened cardboards that are larger than 2x2, they throw them on the street all messed up even if you’ve placed them nicely in the recycling bin. If you’re not going to pick up my recycling, don’t bother touching it period . This is a great way to make people not want to recycle anymore.. smh

Updating my review as of 1/17/23: I spoke to a gentleman about my concerns and he helped address them immediately. Since then, the Recycling team has been doing a great job with timely pickups. Thank you for adjusting to resident's feedback. --- Pretty much echoing what others have been saying. The workers pretty much collect what they feel like, leaving the resident to have to work to bring back what wasn’t collected, wait 2 weeks and try again. Breaking down cardboard to 2x2’ and bundling it is a ridiculous ask. We pay high property taxes and the department should be figuring out how to take flattened cardboard and fit it onto the truck. We know it’s possible because if the workers feel like it, they take it.

The positive: the few times I've emailed them, Rafael has always been quite courteous and responsive which is very much appreciated. The negative: Like what other reviewers have mentioned, the crew that picks up is notorious for either skipping pickups completely, or refusing to pick up flattened boxes that are over 2x2. I have never had this issue in any other township and they're not flexible at all when it comes to simply folding the boxes or anything else to help.

They decided to put my bins on the other side of the property. It honestly has to be on purpose and in a malicious way. Like what’s their problem?

They miss pick up all the time. So if they miss one week recycling isn’t picked up for a month!!! And then they get frustrated when there is a pile of recyclables to be picked up. They really need a better system.

Passive aggressive crew took the time to leave an elaborate note (and all the recycling) behind because the cardboard wasn't tied in 2x2 squares. It would have taken them way less time to pick it up than write the note. This is an unnecessary exercise of authority.

This is a small part of the taxes that we pay it doesn't even show up on your tax bill because recycling division actually is making a little bit of money for the county by recycling as a commodity and this service is reliable and it always gets done on time but you have to abide by the rules you can't just throw out anything on the curve and expect it to be picked up

I emailed the director on Wednesday about coming back to pick up ~ 20 families recyclables from when Grove street and Spring street in Somerville were shut down due to water line replacement. Could not take the time to email me back his answer. Just want to know if they were returning

We’re new to the area, so we were unaware of the absurd 2’x2’ cardboard rule. I made a phone call to try and remedy the situation, but alas, the staff were unwilling, not unable, but unwilling to empathize with our situation. This is ridiculous because this service is included in our taxes! Anyway, my rant is almost over. Just so disappointed, because if we knew prior, we could have complied with the rules. I can’t say ‘don’t go with this service’ because you don’t have much of a choice

This is the first review I've ever written but I felt the need to in this instance for the absolutely terrible service. I've only lived here a couple of months but I don't think there's been one instance of recycle pickup that hasn't had an issue from the collection not taking place on time, not actually collecting all of the recycling in the can (more than half was left in two separate pickups) and it's a joke they can get out of the car to leave a notice but will not take a box outside of the can. Something needs to change...

For the amount of taxes we pay, it’s unacceptable that cut-up flattened cardboard boxes are not taken if it doesn’t fit in the new cardboard only-bin. Completely absurd, especially when you come every 2 weeks for service. The drivers love getting out of the truck to slap the sticker on saying “why it can’t be taken” rather than helping us out. I’d give it 0 stars if I could. Terrible!!

Always in time. Always respectful. Called customer service today and they were prompt, polite and responsive. As a lifelong SOMERSET county resident I remember when this program started and they have become more progressive through the decades. Great job!

I've stopped bothering to recycle. They refuse to pick up recycling, despite following their instructions, separating everything, breaking down cardboard etc. Likely just because i'm trying to recycle a lot and be good for the environment. These people make it impossible and my garage is fillihng up, so its going to the dump!

They never come on time. The calendar is hard to find and once I did finally find the confusing schedule they never came on the right days. I promise you I am using the right calendar.

To all the people who complain about having to cut up their own cardboard and bundle it — it’s not the county’s responsibility, it’s OUR responsibility as residents. I recommend breaking down boxes as needed or take the time and do it all at once the night before pick-up. Considering all of the homes and stops these workers and trucks have to make, the least we can do as residents is make it a little easier for them. I’m giving Somerset County Recycling 5 Stars because: 1. They do a thankless job and are unappreciated. 2. They show up like clock work, on time, and have never missed a pick up in over twenty years. 3. When I forgot to put my recycling out I called to ask if I could drop it off at the recycling center, and instead they said, “just put it out and we’ll come back to pick it up today or tomorrow. Now that’s unexpected customer service. ????

Wish I could give ZERO stars!! The workers are very lazy! They choose to collect what they want. Very unprofessional! Basically, what EVERYONE has been saying about this lazy service is 100% true. Something seriously needs to change!

NO STAR! Very very POOR/HORRIBLE recycle service. Doesnt pick up breakdown cardboard that was properly prepared for them. Then waited another two weeks for them to pick it up but still left behind now all the cardboard are filling up... WORST RECYCLE SERVICE!

They will find reasons not to pickup the recycle. Terrible attitude. If you miss it due to their extremely stringent conditions, you have to try again in 2 weeks.

Pretty much what everyone else was saying. We broke all of our boxes down and I watched the guy look at it and laugh and walk away. Literally. Terrible service they only take pretty much what fits in the can

Horrible service . For the amount of taxes they collect service is every 2 weeks with no standard. Depends on the mood of people collecting that day . How do these guys survive being a service , only because they are county service . Unprofessional . Unreliable .

I can't believe how unnecessarily difficult they make it to have your recycling collected, with how much taxes we are forced to pay here. Like the other reviews say, the cardboard must be broken down, tied up, not in a can, no larger than 2'x2'. No paper products allowed in cans. If your recycling isn't taken for whatever reason, their response is you can either wait 2 weeks for next collection or bring it yourself to the recycling center. Well, I can't wait two weeks, so when can I drop off? You can drop off Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 9:30am. Not very helpful to anyone who pays $10,000 property tax and therefore has an effing job. THIS IS WHY PEOPLE DON'T RECYCLE, MORONS!!!

Awful service. We just moved into town and they left most of our recycling because it wasn’t setup Exactly as they wanted it. Although all the box were flattened they weren’t tied so they left them on my front lawn. I called to see if they can send someone back to pick them up and I was told I’d have to hold onto the boxes another two weeks or deliver them myself. So much for our tax dollars paying for these services.

I come from Edison and am used to garbage and recycling being taken away when you put it to the curb. Shocking concept right? These guys won't take anything unless it meets their utter ridiculous standards. Our recycling bins and cardboard bins are packed. They've in essence given up on doing their job

This is probably the worst collection facility ive encountered. They will not take anything that is not gift wrapped with a bow on top. It’s recycling, pick it up that is your job. You call the office and they said that they will accep it if I drive it there. And they will not come back to retrieve anything. I tried to talk to the people in the truck and they are not helpful and they are very rude. Same goes for the front line customer service in office when you called. They do not care at all but they will gladly take your tax money and provide terrible services.