Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Monroe Township
Trash Day
Household trash collection is arranged independently by residents through private haulers or managed through local HOA community associations. The township offers one annual curbside bulky waste pickup per household by appointment on Wednesdays or Thursdays from April through November.
Recycling
Every other week on an assigned zone schedule (Zone 3 on Wednesdays; Zones 1 and 4 on Thursdays; Zones 2 and 5 on Fridays) serviced by the Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA).
Yard Waste
Curbside collection occurs from April through December for brown paper bags of leaves/grass and bundled brush.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Water and sewer services are billed quarterly by the Monroe Township Utility Department (MTUD). Curbside recycling is funded municipal-wide, while regular household garbage service is contracted privately or through your homeowner association.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (ACH Direct Debit), Drop Box, Mail, Bank Bill Pay
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior Citizen and Disabled Person property tax deductions ($250 annual deduction for qualified residents age 65+ or disabled meeting state income limits) and Veteran deductions are available through the Tax Assessor.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Cans? Get Cash Back Right Here in Monroe!
Did you know you can turn those empty bottles and cans into a few extra bucks? While Monroe Township doesn't have a dedicated buyback center right in town, the state of New Jersey has a program for redeemable containers. Look for the "5¢" or "10¢" on plastic bottles, glass bottles, and aluminum cans. You can usually redeem these at larger grocery stores or dedicated redemption centers in neighboring areas. A quick search for 'NJ bottle redemption centers' will point you to places nearby where you can cash in on your recycling efforts.
Giving Your Unwanted Stuff a Second Life in Monroe Township
Before you toss out those gently used items, think about giving them a new home! In the Monroe Township area, options abound for donating. Consider checking out the Saint Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in Jamesburg, which is pretty close by and always happy to receive donations of clothing, household goods, and furniture. Another great spot to look is Habitat for Humanity ReStores, often found in larger towns within driving distance, where your donations help fund local housing projects.
Keeping Monroe Township Beautiful: Tackling Dumped Trash Together
Seeing trash dumped where it shouldn't be is a bummer for everyone in Monroe Township. If you happen to spot illegal dumping, the best thing to do is report it to the Monroe Township Department of Public Works. They are the go-to folks for handling these situations and keeping our community clean. Sometimes, community groups organize clean-up days, so keep an eye on local bulletin boards or the township's website for announcements about how you can lend a hand and make a difference.
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.