Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Ocean Township
Trash Day
Trash is collected once a week by zone: Zone 1 on Tuesday, Zone 2 on Wednesday, Zone 3 on Thursday, and Zone 4 on Friday.
Recycling
Collected weekly on the same day as your regular trash pickup (Tuesday through Friday depending on your zone).
Yard Waste
Brush and branches are collected curbside once a month by zone from April through October; seasonal leaf pickup occurs in spring and fall.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day (no earlier than 6:00 PM the evening before)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside trash, recycling, and bulk collection services are municipal services funded through your standard property taxes rather than a separate monthly trash bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Eligible seniors and disabled residents may qualify for New Jersey tax relief and reimbursement programs (such as the Senior Freeze).
Green cart Bin (Trash)
Trash must be placed entirely inside the green Township-issued cart. Carts must be curbside by 6:00 AM on collection day but no earlier than 6:00 PM the night before.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Weeds, flowers, and plants
- ✓Broken fluorescent bulbs (sealed in plastic)
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
Blue cart Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loose in the blue cart. Shredded paper is accepted only if placed inside a brown paper bag or cardboard box. No plastic bags allowed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic containers with numbers 1-7
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Cardboard and pizza boxes
- ✓Newspaper and junk mail
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Mirrors and ceramics
- ✕Pots and pans
- ✕Shredded paper in plastic bags
Yard Waste Bin
Leaves and brush must be kept separate. Loose brush is collected April-October. Loose leaves are collected March-April and Oct-Dec. Grass clippings are strictly prohibited at the curb.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush
- ✓Branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once a month on designated Mondays based on your Zone (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Monday).
Placement
Items must be neatly placed at the curb. Metal and appliances must not be mixed with standard bulk trash, as they are only collected on the fifth Monday of a month.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Tables and bookshelves
- ✓ Dried empty paint cans
- ✓ Up to three 45-gal cans of brush (winter only)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Propane tanks
- ✕ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Metal and appliances (collected separately)
- ✕ Concrete and construction debris
Standard residential bulk pickup is free. Residents must pay for Freon removal on appliances prior to the fifth Monday collection.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The Sanitation Division works all holidays except New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and bulk collections may experience delays during weeks with major winter storms or severe weather.
When New Year's Day or Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, it is observed on the preceding Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. Trash and recycling will not be collected on the observed day.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring & Fall
March - April & October - DecemberLeaves are collected loose in the street during these two seasonal windows. Piles must not extend more than five feet into the roadway and must be kept at least 10 feet from storm drains.
Spring & Summer
April 1 - October 1Branches and brush are collected loose in the street. Limbs must not exceed 4 feet in length or 24 inches in diameter. From November to March, loose brush collection is entirely suspended.
Summer
April 15 - November 30Grass clippings cannot be left at the curb. The Township encourages 'cut it and leave it,' but residents can drop grass clippings at the Sunset Avenue Recycling Center during this period.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Cans to Cash In? Here's How in Ocean Township!
Did you know that some of your recyclables might be worth a few bucks right here in New Jersey? While Ocean Township itself doesn't have a specific buyback center listed, the state has a popular "Bottle Bill" for certain beverage containers. Keep an eye out for those redemption centers when you're out and about in Monmouth County, or consider a trip to a larger scrap yard in a neighboring town if you've got a good amount of metal. It's a neat way to turn trash into treasure!
Giving Your Unwanted Stuff a Second Life in the Shore Area
Before you toss perfectly good items, think about giving them a new home! For clothing, furniture, or household goods, check out the Goodwill on Route 35 in Ocean Township. They're always looking for donations. If you've got larger furniture or building materials, Habitat for Humanity ReStores in nearby Asbury Park or Toms River are fantastic options to support affordable housing projects and keep good items out of the landfill.
Keeping Ocean Township Clean: Tackling Dumped Debris
Nobody likes seeing trash where it doesn't belong! If you spot illegal dumping anywhere in Ocean Township, the best thing to do is report it. You can usually call the township's Public Works department to let them know the location. Sometimes, community clean-up events pop up, especially closer to the warmer months, organized by local groups. Keeping an eye out and reporting issues helps us all enjoy a cleaner community.
Drop-off Facilities
Sunset Avenue Recycling Drop-off Center
3602 Sunset Avenue, Ocean Township, NJ 07712
Materials Accepted
Monmouth County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
3211 Shafto Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07753
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do with my grass clippings in Ocean Township?
Grass clippings are strictly prohibited from curbside collection. The Township recommends using the 'cut it and leave it' method to naturally fertilize your lawn. Alternatively, residents can drop off unbagged grass clippings at the Sunset Avenue Recycling Center dumpsters between April 15 and November 30.
When does the Township collect bulk trash like furniture?
Standard bulk items, such as mattresses and couches, are collected once a month on specific Mondays depending on your zone. Zone 1 is collected on the first Monday, Zone 2 on the second, Zone 3 on the third, and Zone 4 on the fourth Monday of the month.
How do I dispose of a refrigerator or large metal appliance?
Metal and appliances are not collected with regular bulk trash. Instead, they are collected exclusively on the fifth Monday of any month that has five Mondays. Before placing a refrigerator or AC unit at the curb, you must have the Freon professionally removed and provide proof of removal.
When is brush collected loose at the curb?
Branches and brush can be placed loose in the street from April 1 through October 1. From November through March, loose brush collection is suspended; during these winter months, small amounts of brush must be bundled or containerized and put out on your designated bulk trash day.