Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Little Egg Harbor
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.
Township-provided automated trash container Bin (Trash)
All trash must fit inside the Township-provided automated trash container with the cover fully closed. Trash must not be placed near mailboxes or vehicles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Bagged shredded paper
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Minor building materials (if they fit in the bin)
Township-provided automated recycling container Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be commingled loosely inside the container. Never bag recyclables in plastic. Cardboard must be flattened.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (#1, #2, #5)
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper and magazines
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Televisions and electronics
- ✕Wood fencing
- ✕Hazardous waste
Yard Waste Bin
Brush and leaves must be separated from bulk trash and placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on the Monday of your scheduled monthly zone collection week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush
- ✓Branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once a month based on your designated residential zone.
Placement
Place bulk items at the curb by 6:00 AM Monday of your zone's week. Do not place bulk waste near mailboxes, fire hydrants, or parked vehicles.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Appliances (freon removed)
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Large plastic toys
Not Accepted
- ✕ Kitchen and bathroom cabinets
- ✕ Boats (cut up or whole)
- ✕ Concrete, rock, soil, or brick
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Propane tanks
- ✕ Wood fencing
- ✕ Hot tubs
Curbside bulk pickup is free for accepted items. Unacceptable construction materials (Major Building Materials) are the private responsibility of the homeowner or contractor to dispose of at the Ocean County landfill.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If there is a holiday during the week, trash and recycling pickups will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. Since regular collections are Monday through Thursday, Friday is used as the makeup collection day.
Yard Waste Exception
Monthly zone pickups for bulk and brush still require items to be placed out by 6:00 AM on Monday, but the actual collection day may shift if a holiday occurs.
Always check the Township website or DPW calendar for exact holiday closures, as the Recycling Center also closes on observed holidays.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Never Bag Your Recyclables
Bagging recyclables is the most common recycling mistake. Keep your bottles, cans, and paper loose in the recycling container, as plastic film wraps around gears and jams the Ocean County sorting facility.
Secure Shredded Paper in the Trash
While most paper is recyclable, shredded paper cannot go in the blue recycling bin because it cannot be properly sorted by the machinery. You must bag your shredded paper and place it in the regular garbage.
Separate Your Bulk Piles
When placing items out for your monthly zone pickup, you must physically separate your bulk trash (like old furniture) from recyclable items (like metal or brush). Mixed piles will be bypassed by the DPW collection crews.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to MarchDuring winter snowstorms, ensure your automated carts are kept clear of snowbanks and are visible to the DPW trucks. Because normal trash runs Monday through Thursday, weather delays will typically shift pickups to Friday.
Spring
April to JuneSpring is the perfect time for boating preparation. If you shrink-wrap your boat, remember that the Little Egg Harbor Recycling Center on Route 539 accepts boat shrink wrap for recycling, keeping this bulky plastic out of the landfill.
Summer
June to SeptemberDuring the busy summer months, ensure that all household trash fits within your automated cart with the lid completely closed to prevent rainwater accumulation. Rainwater adds excessive weight, which wastes tax dollars on higher disposal costs.
About Little Egg Harbor Waste Management
Automated Municipal Trash Collection Rules
Little Egg Harbor Township's DPW operates a strict automated trash collection system. All regular household garbage must fit securely inside the Township-provided cart with the lid completely closed. Leaving the lid open allows rainwater to accumulate, which drastically increases the weight of the trash and municipal disposal costs. Minor DIY building materials are only accepted if they fit inside this single container; otherwise, they are considered construction debris.
Ocean County Recycling Mandates
To protect its pristine coastal environment, Little Egg Harbor adheres strictly to Ocean County's recycling protocols. All recyclables must be placed loosely in the recycling cart without the use of plastic bags. If your household regularly produces more waste or recyclables than one cart can handle, additional official Township containers can be purchased directly from the Township Clerk's office during normal weekday business hours.
Monthly Zoned Bulk and Brush Pickups
The Township provides a generous once-a-month bulk and brush collection based on specific residential zones. Residents are required to physically separate bulk trash (such as mattresses and plastic toys) from recyclable curbside items like scrap metal and yard brush. These separated piles must be placed curbside by 6:00 AM on the Monday of your designated week, as DPW crews will only pass by your street once during that week.
The Route 539 Recycling and Compost Center
For items not eligible for curbside pickup or for residents who miss their scheduled bulk week, the Little Egg Harbor Recycling Center at 1363 Route 539 is an essential resource. Residents must present proof of address to drop off items like boat shrink wrap, E-waste, and non-oil-based paint. However, note that waste oil and antifreeze are no longer accepted here and must be taken to the Southern Ocean County Recycling Center in Manahawkin.
Drop-off Facilities
Little Egg Harbor Recycling & Compost Center
1363 Route 539, Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087
Materials Accepted
Southern Ocean County Recycling Center
379 Haywood Road, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to call the DPW to schedule a bulk or brush pickup in Little Egg Harbor?
No, you do not need to call to schedule. All bulk, metal, and brush collections are done once a month by zone. You simply need to physically separate the materials and place them curbside by 6:00 AM on the Monday of your designated week.
What should I do with my old television?
Televisions and other electronic waste are not collected at the curb. You must bring them to the Little Egg Harbor Recycling & Compost Center located at 1363 Route 539 during their normal operating hours.
How does the trash schedule change if there is a holiday?
If a holiday falls during the week, trash and recycling pickups will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. Since the Township typically does not collect on Fridays, Friday serves as the makeup collection day.
Can I throw away remodeling debris like cabinets or tile?
No. The Township does not collect 'Major Building Materials' such as kitchen or bathroom cabinets, concrete, tile, sheetrock, or wood fencing. You or your contractor must take these materials privately to the Ocean County Landfill for disposal.