What is Sparkle Week? 

Sparkle Week is an annual event that provides residents with the opportunity to recycle items too large to place in your regular garbage pick-up.

Sparkle Week dates back to the 1960’s, when Lambertville residents would put out their bulk trash in events dubbed “Operation Sparkle.” Over time, it has become a community-wide event, with residents and visitors claiming discarded items that may still have usable life.  Spanning more than 60 years, Sparkle Week has grown from just being a bulk-trash pickup into the ultimate recycling and 'up-cycling' event - a completely free "garage sale" of items all throughout the City.

When is Sparkle Week 2024? 

It depends on your trash pickup zone.

Sparkle week will begin on Monday 4/22 for residents in Zones 1 and 2.

Collection day for ZONE 1 residents: Tuesday, 4/30

Collection day for ZONE 2 residents: Wednesday, 5/1

Sparkle week will begin on Monday 4/28 for residents in Zones 3 and 4.

Collection day for ZONE 3 residents: Thursday, 5/9

Collection day for ZONE 4 residents: Friday, 5/10

How does it work?

On the assigned collection day for your zone, the DPW will pick up:

• Regular trash and recycling
• Household items, small furniture pieces, and additional trash/garbage items
• No more than two tires per household
• No more than one microwave per household

Be kind to your Public Works team! Place, pile or bag items neatly prior to your collection day. Items out for collection should be light enough that they are easy for one person to lift and carry.

The DPW will not pick up:

• Hazardous materials
• Full or partially full cans of paint (dried out and empty cans are OK)
• Construction debris (including sheet rock, wood, fencing, bricks)
• Large electronics
• Water heaters

The following items will not be picked up without a paid bulk permit:

• Large appliances
• Mattresses & box springs
• Upholstered chairs, loveseats, couches, or sectionals
• Large furniture items (desks, dressers, entertainment centers)
  
  

What's my Zone? 

Zone One (Tuesday is my normal trash day) 

Begins at Church Street and goes south to Route 29, includes Bridge Street, Ferry Street, Swan Street, Mount Hope Street and Canal Street. It also includes Curley Lane, Grants Alley and Washington Street.

Zone Two (Wednesday is my normal trash day)

Includes Cottage Hill, Connaught Hill and Music Mountain.

Zone Three (Thursday is my normal trash day)

Begins at Church Street, runs north to Delaware Avenue.

Zone Four (Friday is my normal trash day)

Begins the north side of Delaware Avenue, runs north to Cherry Street, and includes Lamberts Hill and Blair Tract.

  https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/261/Recycling-Solid-Waste-Services

What items still require a bulk permit during Sparkle Week?

The following large items require a bulk permit in order to be collected by the City. Permits can be obtained online (click here to get your permit) or in person from City Hall (18 York Street). 

 What Happens If I Don’t Buy a Permit?   It is your responsibility to clean up all items on your property. You can call a private trash removal service; or you can take your items back inside. Items left out after the final Sparkle Week collection will be in violation of City ordinance, and property owners will be subject to fines.

Questions?  Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 609-397-0110 x12

2024 Hunterdon County Disposal Events

Hazardous materials may be disposed of
at Hunterdon County Disposal Day:   
December 7^th from 9am to 1pm.

Electronics may be disposed of
at Hunterdon County Electronics Recycling Event:     
June 22^nd, October 5^th, November 16^th from 9am to 1pm.

County events are held at the Route 12 County Complex.