Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Monroe 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.
Varies by contracted private hauler Bin (Trash)
Trash collection is privately contracted. Follow your specific hauler's guidelines for cart placement, acceptable items, and curbside removal times.
Accepted Items
- ✓Regular household garbage
- ✓Plastics #3 through #7
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Styrofoam
Blue or Yellow (MCIA issued) Bin (Recycling)
Place loose recyclables at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your MCIA scheduled collection day. Do not bag items and ensure all containers are rinsed clean.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (lids removed)
- ✓Aluminum, tin, and bimetal cans
- ✓Plastics #1 (PETE) and #2 (HDPE) only
- ✓Clean corrugated cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper and newspaper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Plastics #3 through #7
- ✕Bottle caps and lids
- ✕Rechargeable batteries
- ✕Food-soiled pizza boxes
Yard Waste Bin
Leaves and grass must be placed in brown paper recycling bags (available at the Drop-Off Center or local hardware stores). Loose leaves and yard waste in plastic bags will be rejected.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Brush and tree limbs (max 4 feet long, 5 inches diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once a year by appointment (Spring to Fall)
Placement
Items must be placed at the curb no sooner than one day before your scheduled appointment date. Items must be organized neatly and clear of the roadway.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Appliances (refrigerators must have doors removed)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Carpeting (cut, rolled, and tied)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Hazardous materials or wet paint
- ✕ Tree stumps and loose dirt
The annual curbside pickup is free of charge. Residents can also self-haul bulk items year-round to the Drop-Off Center during normal operating hours.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
For MCIA recycling: If your designated collection day falls on one of the six major holidays, your recycling pickup is rescheduled for the following Saturday. Trash delays depend entirely on your private hauler's policy.
Yard Waste Exception
The Monroe Recycling Drop-Off Center on Gravel Hill-Spotswood Road is strictly closed on all township-observed holidays.
For private garbage collection, always check directly with your contracted company (e.g., Republic Services) to confirm their specific holiday operational shifts.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Remove All Caps and Lids
Before tossing glass jars or plastic bottles into your recycling bucket, completely remove the caps and lids. These small items are not easily processed by the MCIA machinery and must be thrown in your regular household trash.
Never Include Rechargeable Batteries
Lithium-ion and other rechargeable batteries must never be placed in your curbside recycling or trash. They cause dangerous fires at the sorting facility. Drop them off safely at the Monroe Township Recycling Center.
Ditch the Plastic Bags
Do not bag your recyclables in plastic grocery bags or garbage bags. Keep all materials completely loose in your bin. You can return clean plastic shopping bags to local grocery store drop-off bins.
Seasonal Information
Spring/Summer
April - SeptemberThe Township's free bulk waste appointment program operates during these months. Appointments fill up quickly, so call the DPW early in the season to secure your once-a-year Wednesday or Thursday pickup.
Autumn
October - DecemberCurbside leaf and grass collection concludes on December 7th. Remember that Monroe DPW does not collect loose leaves; everything must be properly contained within brown biodegradable paper bags.
Winter
January - MarchCurbside yard waste collection is suspended. If a severe snowstorm occurs, MCIA recycling collections may be delayed. Check the MCIA hotline or Monroe Township website for weather-related Saturday makeup days.
About Monroe Township Waste Management
Navigating Monroe's Split Solid Waste Services
In Monroe Township, waste management is a collaborative effort divided between private and public entities. The municipality does not provide standard curbside garbage collection for single-family homes; residents must contract directly with a private hauler, such as Republic Services, for regular household trash. Conversely, recycling is managed on a county level by the Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA), and bulk/yard waste is handled locally by the Monroe Township Department of Public Works (DPW).
Strict County Recycling Enforcement by MCIA
Recycling in Monroe is collected bi-weekly based on your designated zone. The MCIA enforces stringent contamination rules to keep the local processing facilities safe. Plastics are strictly limited to #1 (PETE) and #2 (HDPE) containers, meaning items like yogurt cups or clamshell containers should go in your private trash bin. Additionally, all recycling must remain loose in the container—plastic bags are universally prohibited at the curb.
The Once-a-Year Free Bulk Waste Program
To help residents manage large household cleanouts, the Monroe DPW offers a once-a-year free bulky waste pickup from Spring to Fall. Collections are scheduled exclusively on Wednesdays and Thursdays by appointment only. Homeowners must submit a request through the DPW website or by calling the office to reserve their spot. Items cannot be placed at the curb any earlier than the day before the scheduled pickup.
Brown Bag Mandates for Vegetative Waste
Monroe Township DPW operates a seasonal yard waste collection program running from April through December. A critical rule for homeowners is the strict prohibition of plastic bags for yard waste. Grass clippings and leaves must be placed in brown paper recycling bags. Brush and tree branches must be cut to lengths of no more than four feet, tied securely with string, and contain no branches larger than five inches in diameter.
Maximizing the Gravel Hill-Spotswood Drop-Off Center
For disposal needs between scheduled pickups, residents can utilize the Monroe Recycling Drop-Off Center located at 76 Gravel Hill-Spotswood Road. Open Monday through Saturday morning, this facility accepts a wide range of materials including scrap metal, motor oil, antifreeze, corrugated cardboard, and consumer electronics. Proof of residency is strictly required upon entry, and commercial vehicles are prohibited.
Drop-off Facilities
Monroe Township Recycling Drop-Off Center
76 Gravel Hill-Spotswood Road, Monroe Township, NJ 08831
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Monroe Township provide regular trash collection for residents?
No, the municipality does not offer regular curbside garbage collection. Homeowners must independently hire a private hauler, such as Republic Services or Waste Management, unless their HOA provides the service.
How do I schedule a bulk trash pickup in Monroe Township?
Residents get one free bulk pickup per year between April and November. You must schedule an appointment for a Wednesday or Thursday collection by calling the DPW at 732-656-4575 or visiting the township website.
What happens to my recycling pickup if it snows or there is a holiday?
If your MCIA recycling day falls on a major holiday (like Thanksgiving or Christmas), it will be collected on the following Saturday. For snow emergencies, residents should check the MCIA website or call their hotline for makeup schedules.
Can I put my grass clippings and leaves in plastic bags?
Absolutely not. Monroe Township strictly forbids yard waste in plastic bags. Leaves and grass must be placed in brown paper recycling bags for curbside pickup, or they will be left at the curb.