Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lakewood
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 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
!Contamination Tips
Never Bag Your Recyclables
The Lakewood single-stream program requires all recyclables to be loose in the yellow bin. Plastic bags easily entangle and break the sorting machinery at the Ocean County recycling facility.
Keep Pallets and Tires Out of Carts
Wooden pallets, car batteries, and vehicle tires are highly restricted. Do not try to hide them in your trash or bulk piles. They must be driven to the Resident Drop-Off on America Avenue.
Separate Dirt from Yard Waste
When putting out brush or branches, ensure the piles are entirely clear of dirt, rocks, and regular garbage. Contaminated yard waste piles will not be collected by the DPW.
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.
About Lakewood Waste Management
Navigating Lakewood's Zone-Based Waste Schedule
Lakewood Township divides its municipal waste collection into four distinct geographical zones, handling regular trash and single-stream recycling on a Monday through Thursday schedule. Zone 1 is serviced on Mondays, Zone 2 on Tuesdays, Zone 3 on Wednesdays, and Zone 4 on Thursdays. To ensure smooth operations for the Department of Public Works (DPW), all refuse must be brought to the curb no earlier than 5:00 PM the evening before pickup and no later than 6:00 AM on your designated collection morning.
Understanding the Thursday Bulk Pickup Shift
In early 2023, Lakewood implemented a major change to its heavy waste collection, shifting all bulk trash pickups exclusively to Thursdays. The schedule aligns with your regular service zone: Zone 1 on the first Thursday of the month, Zone 2 on the second, Zone 3 on the third, and Zone 4 on the fourth. Most importantly, residents cannot simply leave items at the curb. You are strictly required to pre-register your pickup by calling the DPW or emailing [email protected] by the Wednesday prior.
Mattress Wrapping and Strict Drop-Off Rules
For sanitary and safety reasons, any mattress or box spring scheduled for bulk collection in Lakewood must be fully encased in plastic wrapping before being placed outside. Furthermore, certain bulky or hazardous items are explicitly banned from curbside pickup. Cardboard, automotive tires, wooden pallets, car batteries, and empty propane tanks must be transported directly by the resident to the DPW Drop-Off Center, affectionately known locally as 'The Hill,' located on America Avenue.
Single-Stream Yellow Bin Recycling
Lakewood operates a single-stream recycling program, simplifying the process for homeowners. All approved recyclables—including tin cans, plastic bottles, glass jars, and mixed paper—should be placed loosely into the official yellow Township-owned recycling containers. Residents are continuously reminded that plastic bags are the enemy of the recycling sorting facility; bagging your recyclables will result in an uncollected bin.
The Unique Holiday 'Slide' and Bulk Suspensions
Lakewood observes a comprehensive list of municipal, state, and federal holidays, which can significantly alter the DPW's weekly routine. When a holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling collections are pushed back by one day for the remainder of that week. A critical rule that often catches residents off guard is that whenever a holiday occurs during the week, all bulk pickups for that entire week are completely suspended.
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.