Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Howell
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.
Standard Green or Dark Gray Carts Bin (Trash)
Carts must be rolled to the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection morning with lids completely closed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable household trash
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Polystyrene foam packaging
- ✓Soiled paper wrappers
- ✓Bagged pet waste
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
All items must be rinsed clean and deposited loose inside the cart. Do not bundle or bag recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paperboard boxes (flattened)
- ✓Office paper, mail, magazines, and catalogs
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (#1, #2, #5)
- ✓Aluminum and steel food cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags or film
- ✕Bubble wrap
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Light bulbs or window glass
Yard Waste Bin
Place material at the curb line clear of roadways and storm drains during scheduled zone pickup weeks.
Accepted Items
- ✓Loose leaves (during designated autumn/spring pickup)
- ✓Tree branches (bundled under 4 inches in diameter)
- ✓Garden trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Scheduled Zone Pickups & Recycling Center Drop-Off
Placement
Place approved bulky items at the curb no earlier than 6:00 PM the evening before scheduled pickup.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Carpeting (cut and rolled into 4-foot sections)
- ✓ Large plastic toys
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals and liquid paint
- ✕ Construction materials and drywall
- ✕ Freon-containing appliances without certified removal tag
- ✕ Automobile tires and batteries
Drop-offs at the recycling center may require a resident permit or proof of address.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed holiday falls on a weekday, curbside pickup shifts forward by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Seasonal yard waste pick-up programs may pause during holiday weeks; verify current zone schedules via the township portal.
Regular pickup routes resume on the following week's normal schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of Blue Carts
Plastic grocery bags and stretchy plastic wraps tangle processing machinery at processing facilities. Always throw loose recyclables directly into your blue bin.
Clean Food Residue from Containers
Rinse out sauce jars, peanut butter containers, and tin cans before placing them in recycling bins. Heavy food residue degrades paper items in the same truck.
Flatten Corrugated Boxes
Break down cardboard boxes completely before putting them into your cart. Unflattened boxes take up excessive volume and can cause cart jams during automated emptying.
Seasonal Information
Autumn
October - DecemberCurbside leaf collection runs on a strict zone schedule. Rake leaves to the curb line in windrows, keeping them at least 10 feet away from storm drains and catch basins.
Winter
December - MarchIn the event of snowstorms, keep carts placed inside the apron of your driveway rather than in the street to prevent plow damage and obstruction.
Spring
April - MaySpring brush pickup permits tied bundles of tree branches. Ensure limbs are cut to maximum 4-foot lengths and tied securely with twine.
About Howell Waste Management
Managing Residential Waste in Howell Township
Howell Township coordinates curbside collection services for residential neighborhoods across Monmouth County. By dividing the township into designated collection zones, Public Works maintains predictable weekly service for refuse, single-stream recyclables, and seasonal organic debris.
Single-Stream Recycling Best Practices
Howell utilizes a single-stream recycling system, allowing residents to combine mixed paper, clean corrugated cardboard, metal cans, and rigid plastic containers (#1, #2, and #5) into a single designated cart. Items must be placed loose inside the container without plastic bagging to ensure mechanical sorting equipment operates efficiently.
Seasonal Brush and Leaf Vacuuming Services
To manage thick suburban foliage and yard waste, Howell Township operates scheduled seasonal curbside leaf and brush pick-up zones. During peak spring and autumn collection periods, residents can place unbagged leaves or bundled branches along the curb edge, keeping drainage ditches and street gutters clear.
Howell Township Recycling Center Access
Residents needing to dispose of excess recyclables, bulk cardboard, scrap metal, or yard debris outside of scheduled collection days can utilize the Howell Township Recycling Center. Proof of residency is required upon entry, and specific limits apply to construction debris and tires.
Drop-off Facilities
Howell Township Recycling Center
Old Tavern Road, Howell, NJ 07731
Materials Accepted
Monmouth County Reclamation Center
6000 Asbury Ave, Tinton Falls, NJ 07753
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time must my waste carts be placed at the curb in Howell?
Carts must be curbside by 6:00 AM on your scheduled pickup day, or after 6:00 PM the evening prior.
How do I dispose of hazardous household materials like oil paint or garden chemicals in Howell?
Hazardous materials are not accepted in regular curbside trash. Residents should utilize Monmouth County Household Hazardous Waste facility collection events held throughout the year.
Does Howell Township pick up grass clippings with regular yard waste?
Grass clippings are generally discouraged from curbside brush collection; residents are encouraged to practice cut-it-and-leave-it mulching or take clippings to the recycling center.
What should I do if my collection was missed on my scheduled pickup day?
Contact the Howell Township Public Works Department at 732-938-4500 to report a missed collection within 24 hours.