Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Monroe
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.
Standard Cart / Varies by HOA or Private Hauler Bin (Trash)
Must be placed curbside securely. Do not place at the curb before 5:00 PM on the day prior to scheduled collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Regular household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable wrappers and plastics
Blue Cart or Standard Recycling Bin Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables. Items must be co-mingled. Rejection stickers will be applied for heavily contaminated bins.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Mixed paper and newspaper (tied)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum, steel, and tin cans
- ✓Plastic containers (PETE 1 and HDPE 2)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Pizza boxes with food residue
- ✕Packing-type foam blocks or peanuts
- ✕Hazardous waste or chemicals
- ✕Electronics and batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Leaves and grass must be in brown paper recycling bags. Brush must be cut to lengths no longer than 4 feet and tied with string or cord.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Brush and tree parts (up to 5 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By appointment only (April 1 - November 1)
Placement
Bulk items should be placed curbside no sooner than one day before your scheduled collection date.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Appliances
- ✓ Barbeque-type propane tanks (20 lb. only)
- ✓ Mattresses and large residential items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals and paint
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Construction materials and drywall
- ✕ Concrete, dirt, stones, and asphalt
- ✕ Tree stumps and railroad ties
- ✕ Computers and TVs
Proof of residency is required. Commercial vehicles and contractor waste are strictly prohibited.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your recycling collection day falls on one of the six major observed holidays, your pickup will be rescheduled to the following Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
The DPW yard and Monroe Recycling Drop-off Center are closed on all state and township holidays, including Sundays.
Missed recycling pickups due to weather or unforeseen delays should be left at the curb for recovery within 24 hours.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Always Ditch the Plastic for Yard Waste
Grass and leaves placed in plastic bags or unapproved containers will never be picked up curbside. You can pick up official brown recycling bags at the Monroe Recycling Drop-off Center.
Remove Refrigerator Doors Before Disposal
If you are dropping off bulky white goods like old freezers or refrigerators at the DPW yard, state law mandates that all doors must be completely removed to prevent entrapment hazards.
Keep Film and Foam Out of the MCIA Bins
Plastic shopping bags and packing-type foam blocks (like Styrofoam peanuts) are strictly banned from curbside recycling. Putting them in your bin will result in a skipped collection.
Seasonal Information
Spring through Fall
April 1 - November 1This is the exclusive window for curbside bulk pickup appointments. Schedule your Wednesday or Thursday collection by contacting the DPW ahead of time.
Late Fall
October - DecemberCurbside leaf and grass collection ends on December 7th. Remember that no loose leaves are permitted at the curb—everything must be bagged in brown paper bags.
Winter
December - MarchCurbside yard waste collection is suspended. During winter weather emergencies, check www.mciauth.com for any route changes or snow-related recycling delays.
About Monroe Waste Management
Monroe Township's Dedicated Waste & Recycling Operations
Nestled in Middlesex County, Monroe Township maintains a well-structured waste management system handled jointly by the local Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA). While general household trash collection varies by specific neighborhoods and private haulers, the township strictly manages recycling, yard waste, and bulk collection at the municipal level.
Navigating the MCIA Curbside Recycling Rules
All curbside recycling in Monroe is overseen by the MCIA on a bi-weekly zone schedule. Residents must co-mingle their approved recyclables—such as flattened cardboard, glass bottles, and specific plastics (PETE 1 and HDPE 2)—in standard unbagged bins. If a route experiences delays, the MCIA advises residents to leave their recycling at the curb, as recovery trucks typically return within 24 hours.
Strict Seasonal Yard Waste Regulations
Monroe Township enforces very specific guidelines for curbside yard debris. Between April and early December, leaves and grass clippings will only be collected if they are placed in official brown recycling bags—plastic bags are strictly prohibited and will be left at the curb. If you prefer dropping off your lawn clippings at the Gravel Hill-Spotswood facility, you must empty them out of any plastic transport bags.
Booking Your Spring-to-Fall Bulk Pickups
Unlike towns that offer year-round bulk collection sweeps, Monroe Township operates an appointment-only bulk pickup system active from April 1st through November 1st. Pickups are scheduled strictly on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Residents can arrange their collection via the township website or by calling the DPW directly, ensuring their bulky items comply with Chapter 63 of the Township Code.
Maximizing the Gravel Hill-Spotswood Drop-Off Center
The Monroe Recycling Drop-Off Center is a vital asset for residents dealing with excess household waste. Located at 76 Gravel Hill-Spotswood Road, the facility operates Monday through Saturday. It accepts everything from standard recyclables and old electronics to white goods and residential paint. Proof of residency is mandatory, and commercial vehicles are strictly prohibited from utilizing the yard.
Drop-off Facilities
Monroe Township Recycling Drop-Off Center
76 Gravel Hill-Spotswood Road, Monroe Twp, NJ 08831
Materials Accepted
East Brunswick Reclamation Center
357 Dunhams Corner Road, East Brunswick, NJ
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispose of lawn clippings and leaves in Monroe Township?
Between April 2 and December 7, you can place leaves and grass curbside, but they must be secured in brown paper recycling bags. Loose leaves and plastic bags are strictly prohibited. You can pick up free brown bags at the Recycling Drop-off Center.
When can I schedule a bulk trash pickup at my home?
Curbside bulk pickups are only available by appointment from April 1st through November 1st. They are collected on Wednesdays and Thursdays. You can book an appointment via the township website or by calling 732-656-4575.
What happens if a holiday falls on my regular recycling day?
The MCIA observes six major holidays (New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas). If your pickup falls on one of these days, collection is shifted to the following Saturday.
Where can I recycle leftover household paint in Monroe?
Monroe Township residents can drop off paint at the Recycling Center at 76 Gravel Hill-Spotswood Road during regular business hours. For non-residents within Middlesex County, the facility accepts paint specifically on the third Saturday of each month from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM.