Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lakewood
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week by zone: Zone 1 on Mondays, Zone 2 on Tuesdays, Zone 3 on Wednesdays, and Zone 4 on Thursdays.
Recycling
Recycling is collected once per week on your designated trash collection day (Monday for Zone 1, Tuesday for Zone 2, Wednesday for Zone 3, and Thursday for Zone 4).
Yard Waste
Curbside leaf pickup is conducted seasonally in late autumn. Brush and tree branches can be scheduled for monthly bulk pickup on your zone's designated Thursday or dropped off at the Public Works facility at 1 America Avenue.
Set Out Time
Place containers at the curb no earlier than 5:00 PM the evening before and by 7:00 AM on collection day. Cans must be removed from the curb by 6:00 PM on the day of collection.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside trash and recycling services are provided by the Lakewood Township Department of Public Works and funded through your municipal property taxes, meaning there is no separate trash utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, ACH Direct Debit, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Property tax deductions are available for qualifying senior citizens (age 65+), disabled persons, and honorably discharged or disabled veterans through the Township Tax Assessor.
Standard municipal or personal trash cans Bin (Trash)
Containers must be clear of all obstructions by at least 2 feet. Place out after 5:00 PM the night before and before 6:00 AM day of collection. Remove empty bins by 7:00 PM.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Soiled paper products
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Yellow Township-owned container Bin (Recycling)
Single-stream recycling: Place items loose in the yellow container. Absolutely no plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Newspaper and mixed office paper
- ✓Corrugated cardboard
- ✓Glass containers and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles
- ✓Tin, aerosol, and aluminum cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food-soiled items (like greasy pizza boxes)
- ✕Tires
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Leaves must be raked to the street curbline (kept 10 feet from storm drains). Brush and branches must be cut to 4 to 6-foot lengths and kept clear of dirt and garbage.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush
- ✓Tree branches (maximum 3-inch diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once a month on Thursdays (based on your Zone)
Placement
Register by Wednesday, then place items at the curb starting Wednesday morning before your scheduled Thursday collection.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, dining sets)
- ✓ Wrapped mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Appliances (refrigerators with doors removed)
- ✓ Televisions and computers (electronics)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, chemicals)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Cardboard
- ✕ Propane tanks
Bulk pickup is a free service for registered residents, but you must accurately describe the categories of items (e.g., metal vs. electronics) so the correct DPW trucks are dispatched.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a holiday falls on a collection day, garbage and recycling services are pushed back one day for that day and the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
All scheduled Thursday bulk pick-ups are completely suspended for the entire week whenever a township-observed holiday occurs.
The holiday slide rule applies specifically to your scheduled weekday; refer to the official DPW matrix if a holiday falls on a Friday versus a Monday.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall
October to DecemberDuring autumn leaf collection, residents should rake loose leaves directly to the curbline, taking extreme care to keep them at least 10 feet away from any storm drains to prevent localized street flooding.
Winter
December to MarchWhen significant snowfall hits Lakewood, promptly remove your trash and recycling containers from the street after pickup. Bins left in the street can easily be damaged by or interfere with township snow plows.
Spring
April to MaySpring cleaning generates high demand for bulk pickups. Remember to call or email the DPW early (before Wednesday) to secure your spot for your zone's designated Thursday bulk collection.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Recyclables into Cash Right Here in Lakewood!
Did you know you can actually get paid for some of your recyclables in the Lakewood area? While many items go into your curbside bin, some materials can be taken to special places for cash. Look into local scrap yards that buy metals like aluminum, steel, and copper – often they're happy to take old appliances or scrap metal pieces. For cans and bottles, check if there are any local redemption centers or distributors that offer cash back on deposits. It's a great way to make a little extra money while doing right by the environment!
Give Your Unwanted Goods a Second Life in Our Community
Before tossing out items that are still in good shape, think about donating them! Lakewood and the surrounding Ocean County area have places that would love your gently used furniture, clothing, and household goods. Organizations like The Salvation Army and Goodwill often have donation centers nearby that help support local programs. Sometimes, even smaller thrift shops or churches run donation drives. It's a fantastic way to declutter your home and help out a neighbor at the same time.
Keeping Lakewood Beautiful: Special Clean-Up Days & Reporting
Let's keep Lakewood looking its best! While regular trash and recycling are set, sometimes larger clean-up events or special hazardous waste collection days pop up. Keep an eye on the township's official website or community bulletin boards for announcements about these. If you ever spot illegal dumping, it's super important to report it so our town can address it. You can usually report these issues directly to the Lakewood Public Works department or through the town's official online reporting system to help keep our shared spaces clean and safe.
Drop-off Facilities
Resident Drop-Off (The Hill) / Department of Public Works
1 America Avenue, Lakewood, NJ 08701
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a bulk trash pickup in Lakewood, NJ?
To schedule a bulk pickup, you must call the Lakewood DPW at 732-905-3405 or email [email protected] by the Wednesday prior to your zone's assigned Thursday collection.
What is the rule for throwing away mattresses in Lakewood?
Mattresses and box springs are accepted during your monthly bulk pickup day, but due to health and safety regulations, they must be completely wrapped in plastic before being placed at the curb.
Where can I dispose of old car tires and cardboard boxes?
Automotive tires (up to 5 per household, off the rim) and excess cardboard are not collected curbside. You must bring them to the Resident Drop-Off facility at 1 America Avenue, which is open 7 days a week from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM.
Does Lakewood DPW collect garbage on holidays?
No. Lakewood observes multiple holidays. If a holiday falls on your collection day, your pickup will slide to the next day. Additionally, there are absolutely no Thursday bulk collections during any week that contains an observed holiday.