Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Middletown
Trash Day
Trash is collected twice a week by zone: Mondays and Thursdays for the North Zone, and Tuesdays and Fridays for the South Zone.
Recycling
Recycling is collected every other Wednesday (alternating weeks between North Zone and South Zone).
Yard Waste
Curbside brush collection is conducted in the spring (March through May), and curbside leaf collection takes place in the fall (November through December) by designated zones. Grass clippings are not collected curbside.
Set Out Time
Place carts curbside the night before your scheduled collection day.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential curbside trash and recycling services are funded through municipal property taxes, meaning homeowners do not receive a separate quarterly trash bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In-Person, Bank Bill Pay
Township-provided Black Cart Bin (Trash)
All trash must fit inside the black cart with the lid closed. Bags outside the cart will not be collected. Ensure a 4-foot clearance around the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
Township-provided Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Single-stream collection; items must be placed loose in the blue cart, never bagged. Cardboard must be broken down to fit inside.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastics #1, #2, and #5
- ✓Mixed paper and newspaper
- ✓Flattened cardboard (must fit inside)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Styrofoam (EPS)
- ✕Food or liquid waste
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
- ✕Clothing or linens
Yard Waste Bin
Place loose at the curb (no bags) up to one week prior to scheduled zone collection. Maximum volume of 4 cubic yards per property.
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush and tree limbs (max 3 ft length)
- ✓Leaves (during fall collection only)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Scheduled via Recycle Coach / Varies by Zone
Placement
Place items curbside the night before your scheduled bulk pickup date. Maintain a 4-foot clearance from carts and mailboxes.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and wood furniture
- ✓ Carpets
- ✓ Porcelain items (e.g., toilets)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Christmas trees
Not Accepted
- ✕ Appliances (requires separate fee/request)
- ✕ Electronics and TVs
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Propane tanks
- ✕ Railroad ties or treated lumber
Standard bulk is included for residents, but Freon-containing appliances require a specific paid request.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
There is no garbage or recycling collection on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. If your garbage day falls on one of these holidays, it will be collected on your NEXT scheduled pickup day.
Yard Waste Exception
Brush and leaf collections operate on multi-day zone schedules, but work is suspended on all major municipal holidays.
If your recycling day falls on one of the three observed holidays, it will be collected on the following Saturday.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
JanuaryChristmas trees can be picked up at the curb during your scheduled bulk collection day, or you can drop them off directly at the Middletown Recycling Center on Kanes Lane.
Spring & Fall
Varies by ZoneBrush and leaf collection follow distinct seasonal schedules based on your neighborhood zone. Check the Township website or Recycle Coach to ensure you don't place yard waste out too early.
Year-Round
Year-RoundThe main Kanes Lane Recycling Center accepts brush year-round, and leaves from November 1st through May 31st, for residents who miss their curbside zone pickup.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Those Empty Bottles and Cans into Cash in Middletown?
While Middletown doesn't have specific local buyback centers mentioned, New Jersey has a bottle redemption program that's a great way to get a little extra cash back. Just look for the "5¢" deposit on most soda, water, and some juice containers. You can usually redeem these at larger grocery stores throughout the area. For metals and other recyclables you might have lying around, checking out a local scrap metal yard in a neighboring town could be worth your while. A quick online search for "scrap metal yards near Middletown NJ" should give you some options.
Giving Your Unwanted Stuff a New Life in Middletown
Before tossing usable items, think about giving them a second chance! In Middletown, the Goodwill Store & Donation Center on Route 35 in Middletown is always a fantastic spot to drop off clothing, household goods, and even some electronics. If you've got furniture or larger items, Habitat for Humanity ReStores often accept donations, and there's one in nearby Asbury Park. Donating keeps things out of the landfill and helps support vital community programs right here in the area.
Keeping Middletown Clean: What to Do About Piled-Up Trash
Seeing trash dumped where it shouldn't be is a real bummer, and it happens sometimes. If you notice illegal dumping in Middletown, the best thing to do is report it. You can usually contact the Middletown Township Public Works Department directly. They're the ones who can address these issues and keep our streets and natural areas looking great. Keep an eye out for community clean-up events too; they're a fantastic way to pitch in and meet your neighbors while making a difference.
Drop-off Facilities
Middletown Recycling Center
52 Kanes Lane, Middletown, NJ 07748
Materials Accepted
Middletown Train Station Satellite Center
Church Street (Main Parking Lot), Middletown, NJ
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What days does Middletown collect garbage?
Garbage is collected twice a week based on your zone. The North Zone is collected on Mondays and Thursdays, and the South Zone is collected on Tuesdays and Fridays. All trash must be in the black Township cart.
How do I throw away large furniture in Middletown, NJ?
You can schedule a bulk pickup through the Recycle Coach app. You are allowed up to 4 items per pickup, and no single item can weigh more than 75 pounds or be longer than 6 feet. Construction debris and electronics are not allowed.
Where can I recycle Styrofoam or old TVs?
Styrofoam and electronics cannot go in your curbside bins. You can bring clean Styrofoam to the 24/7 Train Station drop-off or the main Kanes Lane facility. Electronics must be brought exclusively to the Kanes Lane Recycling Center.
Does Middletown pick up trash on holidays?
The Township suspends garbage and recycling collection only on three major holidays: New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If a holiday falls on your trash day, wait until your next scheduled collection day. If it impacts your recycling day, collection shifts to that Saturday.