Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Jefferson Township
Trash Day
Garbage is collected twice weekly: Tuesday & Friday for Milton (Districts 1 and 2), and Monday & Thursday for Lakeside (Districts 3 and 4).
Recycling
Collected once weekly on an alternating dual-stream schedule (Paper one week, Commingle the next): Monday (District 1), Thursday (District 2), Tuesday (District 3), or Friday (District 4).
Yard Waste
Wednesdays from the first Wednesday in April through the second Wednesday in December.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash and recycling services are funded through a special assessment line item on your property tax bill rather than a separate monthly hauler bill.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly (Property Tax Assessment)
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior citizen, disabled person, and surviving spouse property tax deductions are available through the Tax Assessor's office, along with state-assisted utility programs (LIHWAP/LIHEAP).
Resident's own receptacle (standard dark colors preferred) Bin (Trash)
Trash is collected twice a week. Residents are limited to a maximum of two 32-gallon containers per pickup, with each container weighing no more than 50 pounds. Bins must be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and packaging
- ✓Small electronics (radios, keyboards)
- ✓Dried latex paint (must be solidified)
Resident's own receptacle (must be clearly marked as recycling) Bin (Recycling)
Jefferson follows a dual-stream system alternating between paper and commingled weeks. Materials must be clean and unbagged in a 32-gallon container (max 50 lbs). Cardboard must be flattened.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics stamped #1, #2, and #5
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum, steel, and tin cans
- ✓Paper, magazines, and flattened cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Electronic waste (E-waste)
- ✕Construction debris
Yard Waste Bin
Up to two bags or cans of grass/leaves, or two tied bundles of twigs (max 36 inches long, max 40 lbs each) can be placed at the curb for collection strictly on Wednesdays.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush
- ✓Twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once a week on your second scheduled garbage day.
Placement
Place one bulk item at the curb the night before your second garbage collection day. Note that Bulky Metal items require a separate Monday phone appointment for a Wednesday pickup.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and chairs
- ✓ Dressers and wooden furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
Not Accepted
- ✕ Homeowner construction debris (sheetrock, tile)
- ✕ Televisions and monitors (E-waste)
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Tires
There is no fee for standard bulk pickups or scheduled metal pickups. Dropping off tires at the local Recycling Center, however, incurs a per-tire disposal fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The contracted hauler only observes these six specific holidays. If your scheduled collection day falls on one of them, your regular pickup service will typically be delayed.
Yard Waste Exception
If an observed holiday falls on ANY day of the week, all Wednesday yard waste and bulky metal collections are entirely canceled for that entire week.
Always consult the Township's annual calendar or the Recycle Coach app to confirm holiday schedule shifts, as Wednesday suspensions are strict.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall
October to DecemberDuring heavy leaf seasons, you must still adhere to the strict limit of two bags or cans of yard waste per Wednesday pickup. Large volumes of autumn leaves should be composted or taken to a private vegetative waste facility.
Winter
December to MarchIn the event of snowstorms, Wednesday yard waste and metal pickups are usually the first services to be temporarily suspended. Keep all standard trash receptacles visible and slightly off the roadway to prevent interference with municipal snowplows.
Spring/Summer
April to SeptemberSpring yard cleanups generate extra brush. Ensure that your curbside bundles of twigs do not exceed 36 inches in length and are tied securely. The hauler will not pick up unbound, messy piles of loose brush.
Local Tips & Community Info
Pocket Some Change? Where Jefferson Township Residents Can Turn Recyclables into Cash!
While Jefferson Township has a great recycling program, did you know you can often get cash back for certain items? While the Township itself doesn't operate a direct buyback center, Morris County has resources. Many local scrap metal yards will take things like old appliances (once your bulky item pickup is done, or if you have extras) and vehicle parts for a small payout. For your everyday bottles and cans, keep an eye out for donation drives by local schools or community groups who often collect them to raise funds. It's a win-win – you make a little money or help a good cause, and those items get a second life!
Giving Your Gently Used Goods a Second Life Around Jefferson Township
Instead of tossing perfectly good items, think about donating them! Right here in the broader Morris County area, you'll find organizations eager to give your unwanted furniture, clothing, and household goods a new home. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore in nearby Morris Plains is a fantastic option for building materials, furniture, and appliances. Local churches and community centers often host clothing drives or have donation bins for gently used items. Even that old lamp or set of dishes can bring joy to someone else and keep it out of the landfill.
Keeping Our Township Spick and Span: Say No to Dumping!
Let's keep Jefferson Township beautiful! While we don't have scheduled hazardous waste days announced year-round, the Township does host special collection events periodically. It’s a good idea to check the official Jefferson Township website or call the municipal building for announcements about these. If you ever witness illegal dumping, please report it immediately to the Township administration or the local police department. They take this seriously, and your tip can help prevent unsightly and harmful messes from polluting our shared spaces.
Drop-off Facilities
Jefferson Township Recycling Center
4 Sparta Mountain Road, Oak Ridge, NJ 07438
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I throw out a mattress or large piece of furniture in Jefferson Township?
You can place large items like mattresses, dressers, or sofas at the curb on your second scheduled garbage day of the week. The hauler will take the bulk item in place of one of your two allotted 32-gallon trash cans.
How do I schedule a pickup for old appliances or scrap metal?
Bulky metal is collected strictly on Wednesdays. You must call the Municipal Building Receptionist at 973-697-1500 on Monday morning starting at 9:00 AM to secure a spot on the Wednesday metal pickup schedule.
Are plastic bags recyclable in the Township's dual-stream system?
No, plastic bags are strictly prohibited in the curbside recycling bins. You should either throw them in the regular garbage or return them to a local grocery store that hosts a plastic film recycling drop-off program.
Where can I dispose of an old TV or computer?
Electronic waste is banned from curbside garbage pickup in New Jersey. Residents must transport TVs, laptops, computer monitors, and desktop printers directly to the Jefferson Township Recycling Center on Sparta Mountain Road.