Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for East Brunswick
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.
Official Township-Issued Cart Bin (Trash)
Must be placed curbside by 5:00 AM. Ensure 3 feet of clearance in every direction and face the wheels toward the curb or pavement edge.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household trash
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
Official Township-Issued Cart Bin (Recycling)
Collected bi-weekly on Wednesdays. Items must be loose, not bagged. Keep cart clear of obstructions for automated lifting.
Accepted Items
- ✓Newspaper and mixed paper
- ✓Corrugated cardboard
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs (1 gallon or less)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Food-stained pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Bulky rigid plastics
Yard Waste Bin
For curbside branch collection, residents must call 732-390-6984 to be placed on the list. Branches must be tied in bundles no longer than 4 feet and under 50 lbs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Branches
- ✓Limbs
- ✓Brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By appointment/reservation only
Placement
Place bulk items at the curb only after securing a reservation. Ensure items do not block the automated carts, leaving at least 3 feet of clearance.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Large household items
- ✓ White goods (scheduled separately)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Hazardous household waste
- ✕ Dirt
- ✕ Concrete and asphalt
- ✕ Stones
Standard residential bulk items are typically included with proper scheduling, but volume limits apply per property. Consult the township's Bulk Collection Services guidelines.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Solid waste and recycling collections are suspended on major holidays. Affected routes are typically pushed to the next scheduled day or a makeup date.
Yard Waste Exception
The Dunhams Corner Road Recycling Center and standard yard waste operations are closed on all major and minor township holidays (such as MLK Jr. Day and Good Friday).
Residents are encouraged to use the Recycle Coach app for instant holiday push notifications regarding schedule shifts.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Bin
East Brunswick strictly prohibits plastic bags in recycling carts, as they tangle and jam the sorting machinery at the county facilities. Bring them to local supermarket drop-offs instead.
Empty and Rinse Containers
A quick rinse of your glass jars, aluminum cans, and plastic jugs prevents food residue from contaminating clean paper and cardboard products sharing your single-stream cart.
No Shredded Paper at the Curb
Even though it is made of paper, shredded pieces fall through the processing belts. Discard shredded paper in the regular trash or bring it to one of East Brunswick's designated residential paper shred days.
Seasonal Information
Spring/Summer
April to AugustKeep carts at least 3 feet away from parked cars, utility poles, and mailboxes. With increased street parking and activity, automated trucks need clear access to safely maneuver.
Fall
September to NovemberTake advantage of the Township's branch collection by calling the Office of Recycling. Remember to bundle branches (up to 4 feet and 50 lbs) or drop them unbundled directly at the Dunhams Corner Road Recycling Center.
Winter
December to MarchDuring snow events, keep carts off the street to allow East Brunswick DPW plows to clear the roadways. Place carts securely at the edge of your driveway instead of in the street.
About East Brunswick Waste Management
East Brunswick's Automated Trash and Recycling Transition
As of early 2024, East Brunswick Township upgraded to a fully automated collection system. Residents are required to use the official township-issued carts for both solid waste and recycling. Because the new trucks use mechanical arms, carts must be placed with a strict three-foot clearance from obstacles like mailboxes and parked cars, with the wheels facing the curbline.
Twice-Weekly Solid Waste Collection
With recent route adjustments dividing the township into North and South zones, household garbage is now collected twice a week year-round. Collection begins promptly at 5:00 AM, making it highly recommended to place your bins out the night before. If you use a non-compliant can or leave bags on the ground outside the cart, the automated trucks will not collect them.
Bi-Weekly Wednesday Recycling Schedule
Recycling in East Brunswick is streamlined to every other Wednesday, alternating between the North and South districts. Acceptable items include basic plastics (bottles, jugs, and tubs under 1 gallon), glass, aluminum, and clean paper. Never bag your recyclables, as plastic film causes major machinery disruptions at Middlesex County processing centers.
Navigating Bulk Trash and White Goods
Unlike older systems of scheduled neighborhood sweeps, bulk waste collection in East Brunswick is now strictly by reservation. Residents must request pickups in advance through the township. For white goods like refrigerators or metal appliances, pickups occur on Wednesdays, or you can opt to drop them off directly at the Dunhams Corner Road Recycling Center during operating hours.
Utilizing the East Brunswick Recycling Center
The Recycling Center at 357 Dunhams Corner Road is a tremendous resource for East Brunswick residents (proof of residency required). Open Monday through Saturday, the facility accepts everything from standard recyclables and unbundled branches to electronics, unused paint, and propane tanks. It serves as the perfect solution for safely clearing out excess waste that doesn't fit in your curbside carts.
Drop-off Facilities
East Brunswick Recycling Center
357 Dunhams Corner Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispose of tree branches in East Brunswick?
You have two options. You can call the Office of Recycling at 732-390-6984 to schedule a curbside pickup, but branches must be tied, bundled, under 4 feet, and a maximum of 50 lbs. Alternatively, you can drop off unbundled branches at the Recycling Center.
What time do I need to put my trash carts out?
Carts must be placed at the curb by 5:00 AM on your scheduled collection day. The township strongly encourages residents to place them out the night before. Carts placed out after the trucks pass will not be collected.
Can I put my old garbage cans on the curb for automated collection?
No. As of early 2024, East Brunswick utilizes automated collection trucks. All solid waste and recycling must be placed in the official township-issued carts, as the mechanical arms cannot grip or lift standard store-bought garbage cans.
Are plastic bags allowed in my recycling cart?
No, plastic bags and plastic wrap are strictly prohibited in curbside recycling carts. They tangle in the sorting machinery at the processing facility. All recyclables should be placed loosely into the cart.