Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Hazlet
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.
Varies by private hauler Bin (Trash)
Since trash collection is managed by privately contracted companies, residents must follow the specific bin size, weight limits, and pickup times established by their individual hauler.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Soiled paper products
Township-issued automated recycling cart Bin (Recycling)
Do not place cardboard, junk mail, or newspapers on top of or inside the automated container. They must be left off to the side, at least five feet away from your container. The cart must be out by 6:00 AM with the wheels facing the residence.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum soda and beer cans
- ✓Bimetal soup and pet food cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (green, brown, clear)
- ✓Plastic containers (soda, milk, detergent)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Grass clippings
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Household batteries
- ✕Junk mail placed inside the cart
Yard Waste Bin
Grass clippings are strictly prohibited. Leaves must be placed in brown biodegradable paper bags. If a storm causes a tree limb to fall, residents can notify the DPW for a non-scheduled brush collection before cutting it up.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves (in brown biodegradable bags)
- ✓Brush and fallen limbs (by notification)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two times per year by appointment.
Placement
Bulk items should be placed curbside neatly ahead of your scheduled appointment day. White metal and appliances require a separate quarterly curbside pickup or drop-off.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Carpeting
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Box springs
- ✓ Wood fencing
Not Accepted
- ✕ Contractor debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Grass clippings
- ✕ White metal (collected separately)
The two residential bulk pickups per year are provided at no additional fee. White metal pickups are also free but run on a separate scheduled route four times a year.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a municipal holiday interrupts the DPW recycling schedule, collections are generally pushed to a designated makeup day. Residents are strongly advised to use the Recycle Coach app for automatic push notifications regarding holiday shifts.
Yard Waste Exception
Private garbage haulers operate on their own holiday schedules, which may differ from the Township's recycling and yard waste operations.
Always verify DPW closures on the Township's official website or through Recycle Coach.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Cardboard Stacking Protocol
Unlike many municipalities, Hazlet requires that cardboard boxes, junk mail, and bundled newspapers NOT be shoved into your automated recycling cart [1.1.1]. They must be placed on the ground, off to the side, at least five feet away from the recycling bin.
The Plastic Bag Ban
Under no circumstances should you bag your commingled recyclables in plastic grocery or trash bags. Plastic film wraps around the sorting machinery at the Monmouth County facility, halting operations.
Proper Paint Disposal
Liquid latex paint cannot be thrown in the trash or recycled. You must dry it out by lining a box with a plastic bag, pouring the paint in to dry, throwing the solid paint in the trash, and then washing the empty can before recycling it.
Seasonal Information
Fall
September to DecemberThe DPW conducts specific leaf collections [1.1.1]. Leaves must be packed in biodegradable brown paper bags. The Township often provides a limited number of free bags per residence at the Recycling Yard starting in September.
Winter
December to MarchDuring significant winter storms, recycling collections may be delayed so DPW crews can focus on plowing. Keep your automated carts free of snow and never place them in the street where they might block snowplows.
Spring
AprilThis marks the start of the annual residential bulk pickup program. Spring is also the time when white metal and appliance collections resume their quarterly scheduled pickups; items must be out by 7:00 AM on scheduled days.
About Hazlet Waste Management
Hybrid Waste Collection in Hazlet Township
Waste management in Hazlet operates under a hybrid system [1.2.2]. Homeowners are responsible for contracting their own private hauling companies for standard weekly household garbage. However, the Hazlet Township Department of Public Works (DPW) directly manages automated curbside recycling, seasonal leaf collection, and designated bulk pickups, keeping recycling streams uniform across Monmouth County.
Strict Automated Recycling Cart Placement
For the municipal recycling trucks to safely operate their automated arms, residents must follow specific cart placement rules. Carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled recycling day with the wheels facing the residence. Crucially, bins need at least five feet of clearance on both sides and must be kept away from mailboxes, parked cars, fire hydrants, and low-hanging tree branches.
The Curbside Bulk Waste Initiative
Starting in the spring of 2024, the Township committee successfully launched a highly requested curbside bulk pickup program. Rather than hauling heavy furniture to a municipal drop-off event, residents can now schedule up to two free residential bulk collections per year. Appointments must be scheduled by calling the DPW directly, with pickups generally occurring on Tuesdays or Thursdays depending on your residential zone.
Managing Yard Debris and Grasscycling
Hazlet strictly prohibits the collection of grass clippings at the curb and does not accept them at the Leocadia Court Recycling Yard. The Township strongly advocates for 'grasscycling'—leaving cut grass on the lawn as a natural fertilizer. For autumn leaf cleanup, the DPW requires residents to use biodegradable brown paper bags, which are often available for free distribution at the yard in the fall.
Drop-off Facilities
Hazlet DPW Recycling Yard
39 Leocadia Court, Hazlet, NJ 07730
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who picks up my garbage in Hazlet?
Hazlet Township does not provide municipal garbage collection [1.2.2]. Homeowners must independently hire a private hauling company (such as Republic Services or a local provider) to collect their household trash. However, the Township DPW handles recycling.
How do I get rid of an old refrigerator or stove?
Appliances and white metal are collected curbside four times a year by the DPW. You do not need an appointment, but items must be at the curb by 7:00 AM on the scheduled quarterly date. Alternatively, residents can drop them off at the Leocadia Court Recycling Yard.
Can I put grass clippings out with my yard waste?
No. The Hazlet DPW does not collect grass clippings at the curb and will not accept them at the Recycling Yard. The Township encourages 'grasscycling' by leaving clippings on your lawn, or you must arrange removal with your private garbage hauler.
How do I schedule a bulk trash pickup?
As of 2024, residents receive two free curbside bulk pickups per year. You must call the DPW at 732-217-8654 between 7:45 AM and 2:45 PM to schedule an appointment. Pickups occur on Tuesdays for Zones 1-4 and Thursdays for Zones 5-8.