Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lower Township
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.
Resident's own covered receptacle Bin (Trash)
Trash must be placed at the curb in secure, covered containers. Due to coastal winds and seagulls, lids are highly recommended to prevent scattered debris.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household solid waste
- ✓Food debris
- ✓Plastic caps and lids (removed from recyclables)
- ✓Styrofoam and non-recyclable wrappers
Resident's own clearly marked recycling bin Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be loose inside the bin. Never bag materials. Containers must be rinsed clean of food, and caps/lids must be removed. Cardboard must be flattened.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum, tin, and steel cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (clean)
- ✓Dry paper and flattened cardboard
- ✓Clean pizza boxes (no grease)
Do NOT Include
- ✕All caps and lids (must go in trash)
- ✕Plastic bags (including clear bags)
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Bulky rigid plastics (coolers, toys)
- ✕Waxed cups and polystyrene foam
Yard Waste Bin
From May 1 to Sept 30, grass and clippings are picked up the day after your trash day. They must be placed loose in a designated can with no plastic bags and no mixed branches.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Garden trimmings
- ✓Leaves and branches (during designated spring/fall dates)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two items per calendar year by appointment.
Placement
You must call 609-884-0898 ext. 10 to schedule an appointment for bulk or metal items. Metal items are collected strictly on designated 'Metal Days' shown on the township calendar.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and couches
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Bureaus and dressers
- ✓ Refrigerators and stoves (on Metal Days only)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and remodeling debris (doors, windows, flooring)
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Electronics
- ✕ Excessive household cleanouts
Construction and demolition debris must be privately hauled to the CMCMUA facility and will incur a tipping fee based on weight.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a holiday interrupts the schedule, trash will typically be collected on the next business day. However, recycling is pushed to the following week on your regular trash day (skipping a week), rather than the next day.
Yard Waste Exception
Special holiday weeks often feature unique exceptions (e.g., Thanksgiving and Christmas delays). Check the annual DPW calendar for exact rollover dates.
Because recycling is delayed an entire week for most holidays, residents should break down cardboard to save space in their bins.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Trash the Caps and Lids
Before recycling any plastic water bottle, milk jug, or glass jar, you must unscrew the cap or lid and throw it into the regular garbage. The CMCMUA recycling facility cannot process these small, dense plastics.
Strictly No Plastic Bags
Never place your recyclables inside a plastic garbage bag or clear plastic recycling bag. If you collect recyclables in a bag inside your home, you must empty the contents loosely into your curbside bin and throw the bag away.
Keep Paper and Cardboard Dry
Wet paper and soiled cardboard cannot be processed and will degrade the value of the recycling load. Keep a secure lid on your recycling bin, especially during coastal rainstorms, and compost any paper that becomes wet or food-soiled.
Seasonal Information
Summer
May to SeptemberDuring the busy summer months, DPW implements a special grass and garden clipping schedule. Yard vegetative waste is strictly collected the day after your regular trash day. Do not bag these clippings.
Fall
October to NovemberThe Township transitions from summer grass pickup to scheduled leaf and branch collections. Residents should consult the annual DPW calendar for their specific neighborhood's fall vacuum leaf collection dates.
Winter
December to MarchSevere coastal nor'easters can impact collection safety. When winter storms occur, secure your empty bins immediately to prevent them from blowing into the street or neighboring wetlands.
About Lower Township Waste Management
Navigating Coastal Trash and Recycling Schedules
Lower Township's Department of Public Works (DPW) manages municipal solid waste across diverse coastal communities, from the Villas to North Cape May and Diamond Beach. Because the township encompasses a large seasonal population, maintaining strict sanitation rules prevents litter from entering the delicate Cape May County watershed. Trash and recycling are generally collected on the same day, but residents must use clearly distinct and covered receptacles to protect materials from shore winds and wildlife.
Single-Stream Recycling Mandates under CMCMUA
In coordination with the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority (CMCMUA), Lower Township enforces a strict single-stream recycling program. While bottles, cans, and paper can share the same bin, residents are explicitly instructed to remove all caps and lids from plastic and glass containers and discard them in the regular garbage. Furthermore, to prevent mechanical jams at the county sorting facility, plastic bags—even clear ones—are completely banned from the recycling stream.
The Unique 'Courtesy Bulk' and Metal Programs
Unlike municipalities that offer weekly bulk pickups, Lower Township provides a 'Courtesy Bulk' program designed for occasional large items. Each residential household is allowed exactly two free furniture items (such as a sofa or mattress) per calendar year, which must be scheduled in advance by calling the DPW. For metal items like bicycles, air conditioners, and stoves, the township designates specific 'Metal Days' on the municipal calendar that also require a prior phone appointment.
Summer Yard Debris and Grass Collection Rules
Landscaping waste requires special handling during the peak growing season. From May 1st through September 30th, the DPW offers a targeted yard waste service where grass and garden clippings are collected the day exactly following your normal trash day. To ensure successful collection, all summer clippings must be placed loose inside a rigid trash can free of any branches or household garbage; clippings packed in plastic bags will be left at the curb.
Drop-off Facilities
Lower Township Public Works Recycling Center
771 Seashore Road, Cape May, NJ 08204
Materials Accepted
Cape May County MUA Transfer Station
650 Sunset Blvd, Cape May, NJ 08204 (Nearest CMCMUA location)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I throw away a mattress or couch in Lower Township?
Lower Township provides a 'Courtesy Bulk' service where residents can dispose of up to two large furniture items per calendar year [2.3.1]. You must call the DPW at 609-884-0898 ext. 10 to schedule a pickup appointment.
Does the town collect grass clippings?
Yes, from May 1st to September 30th, the DPW picks up grass and garden clippings on the day immediately following your scheduled trash day. The clippings must be loose in a can, without plastic bags or branches.
What should I do with my recycling if my pickup day is on a holiday?
According to the DPW calendar, if a holiday falls on your collection day, your trash is picked up the next business day, but your recycling is generally skipped and collected the following week on your regular trash day.
Where can I dispose of construction debris like old flooring or windows?
Lower Township DPW does not collect construction or remodeling materials. You are responsible for transporting items like doors, windows, and flooring directly to the Cape May County MUA. You can call them at 609-465-9026 for instructions.