Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Old Bridge
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.
Depends on private hauler Bin (Trash)
Trash is managed by private subscription. Residents must follow the specific container guidelines, weight limits, and schedule provided by their contracted waste management company (e.g., Republic Services, WM).
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household waste
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Township-issued 95-gallon cart Bin (Recycling)
Old Bridge utilizes a single-stream ASL recycling process. Keep recyclables loose inside the 95-gallon cart. If your collection is skipped, leave the cart at the curb and report it to [email protected] or call 800-488-6242.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Newspaper and mixed paper
- ✓Flattened cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Construction debris
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Brush must be bundled (max 4 ft, 40 lbs) and requires an online appointment. Leaves are only picked up in Fall (Oct-Dec) and Spring (Apr-May) and MUST be in paper bags. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves (during designated seasons)
- ✓Bundled brush and branches
- ✓Small twigs (in a bucket)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Dependent on private hauler / Drop-off available weekly
Placement
If using the Recycling Drop-Off Center at 1 Old Bridge Plaza, you must arrive during operating hours (Tue/Thu 7AM-3PM, Sat 8AM-12PM).
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (at Drop-Off Center)
- ✓ Furniture and carpeting (at Drop-Off Center)
- ✓ Concrete, brick, and pavers (at Drop-Off Center)
- ✓ Televisions and computers (at Drop-Off Center)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals
- ✕ Explosives
- ✕ Propane tanks that are not empty
Dropping off bulk items and electronics at the municipal Recycling Center is typically free for Old Bridge residents, though private haulers will charge their own rates for curbside bulk pickups.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because trash is collected by private haulers, residents must consult their individual provider for specific garbage holiday delays. Recycling holidays are set by the Middlesex County Improvement Authority and typically delay service by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Storm emergencies (especially snow and ice) take absolute priority over the scheduled collection of brush and leaves. Appointments will be delayed until roads are cleared.
Old Bridge highly recommends downloading the free Recycle Coach app to receive real-time, address-specific notifications about ASL recycling schedules and municipal holiday closures.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the 95-Gallon Cart
Never place your co-mingled bottles and cans into plastic garbage bags. Plastic film tangles and damages the automated sorting machinery. Keep all recyclables completely loose inside your ASL cart.
No Plastic for Leaves or Grass
The Old Bridge Department of Public Works will completely bypass your home if you place leaves or yard waste into standard plastic trash bags. You must use biodegradable paper leaf bags.
Prep Your Christmas Tree Properly
During the January curbside collections, only real Christmas trees are accepted. Ensure that absolutely all tinsel, ornaments, lights, and metal/plastic tree stands are removed before placing it on the curb.
Seasonal Information
Fall & Spring
October - December & April - MayDedicated curbside leaf collections only occur during these specific seasonal windows. Leaves must be placed in paper compost bags. During other months, there is no residential drop-off or curbside pickup for leaves.
Winter
JanuaryThe DPW collects natural Christmas trees throughout the month of January. The yearly schedule is posted by late December on the township website. Be sure to strip the tree of all decorations.
Year-Round
Second Saturday of each monthWhile the Recycling Drop-Off Center is open three days a week, hazardous household items like old paint and fluorescent light bulbs are ONLY accepted on the 2nd Saturday of every month.
About Old Bridge Waste Management
Navigating Private Garbage Collection in Old Bridge
Unlike many municipalities, Old Bridge Township does not provide residential solid waste collection through the local government. Homeowners are entirely responsible for contracting their own private garbage service. Several private haulers, including Republic Services, Waste Management, and Horizon Disposal, operate within the township. Residents must coordinate directly with their chosen provider to establish trash pickup schedules, acceptable bin sizes, and holiday delay rules.
The Transition to Automated Side Load Recycling
In August 2025, Old Bridge modernized its curbside recycling program by transitioning to an Automated Side Load (ASL) service. Every eligible household was provided a brand new 95-gallon recycling cart. Because mechanical arms lift these bins, exact placement is crucial. Carts must be placed at the curb with the handles facing your house, ensuring adequate clearance from parked cars, mailboxes, and utility poles so the automated trucks can safely operate.
Strict Regulations for Curbside Brush and Leaf Collection
The Old Bridge Department of Public Works actively manages yard waste, but follows a strict seasonal and appointment-based protocol. Brush and branches are collected year-round, but solely by appointment via a Service Request Form on the township website. Branches must be tied in bundles no longer than 4 feet and weighing under 40 pounds. Furthermore, bagged leaves are only collected during the specific Fall (October to December) and Spring (April to May) seasons, and must be placed exclusively in biodegradable paper bags.
Bi-Weekly Appliance Appointments
Disposing of a refrigerator, washing machine, or hot water heater requires advanced planning. The Old Bridge DPW dedicates specific bi-weekly schedules for large metal appliances. Residents must submit a Service Request Form online to secure a collection date. For child safety and municipal regulations, all doors on refrigerators and freezers must be completely removed before they are placed at the curb the night before the scheduled pickup.
The Comprehensive Old Bridge Recycling Drop-Off Center
Because curbside bulk trash depends on a resident's private hauler contract, the township operates a robust Recycling Drop-Off Center located directly behind the Animal Shelter at 1 Old Bridge Plaza. Open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturday mornings, the facility acts as the central hub for discarding large items that can't go in curbside bins, including mattresses, concrete, brick, carpets, TVs, electronics, and flattened cardboard.
Drop-off Facilities
Old Bridge Recycling Drop-Off Center
1 Old Bridge Plaza (Behind the Animal Shelter), Old Bridge, NJ 08857
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides garbage pickup in Old Bridge, NJ?
Old Bridge Township does not provide municipal garbage collection. Homeowners must independently hire a private waste management company, such as Republic Services, Waste Management, or Horizon Disposal, for their weekly household trash removal.
How do I get rid of an old couch or mattress?
Since you use a private hauler for trash, you can either call them to schedule a curbside bulk pickup (which may incur a fee), or you can drop off the furniture and mattresses yourself at the Old Bridge Recycling Drop-Off Center located at 1 Old Bridge Plaza.
How do I dispose of a refrigerator or large appliance?
The Old Bridge Department of Public Works collects large metal appliances bi-weekly by appointment. You must visit the township website to fill out a Service Request Form. Once scheduled, remove all doors from the appliance and place it at the curb the night before.
What are the rules for autumn leaf collection?
From October through December, the DPW collects leaves curbside, provided they are placed in biodegradable paper bags. Do not rake loose leaves into the street, and never use plastic bags, as they will be rejected by the collection crews.