Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Toms River
Trash Day
Trash is collected once weekly on assigned routes Monday through Thursday for mainland residents. Barrier Island and Pelican Island receive twice-weekly collection on Mondays and Thursdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Recycling
Every other week on your designated route day (Barrier Island and Pelican Island receive weekly recycling on Fridays during the summer season).
Yard Waste
Seasonal curbside leaf and branch/brush collections occur during scheduled spring and fall pickup weeks; brush and yard waste can also be dropped off year-round at the Township Recycling Convenience Center.
Set Out Time
By 6:30 AM on collection day (and no earlier than 7:00 PM the night before).
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside trash and recycling services are funded through municipal property taxes, so residents do not receive a separate garbage utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Eligible seniors, disabled residents, and surviving spouses may qualify for standard New Jersey property tax deductions and credits through the Township Tax Assessor.
Township-issued Robo Container Bin (Trash)
Place Robo container at the curb by 6:30 AM with wheels/hinges facing the house. Max 50 lbs per bag inside. Lid must close entirely. Remove empty bins by 9:00 PM.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard non-recyclable household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Soiled paper products
- ✓Standard plastics not marked 1, 2, or 5
Blue Township-issued Robo Container Bin (Recycling)
Items must be loose (never bagged or tied) and dry inside the blue Robo can. Remove all plastic caps from glass bottles before recycling.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics marked #1, #2, and #5
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (caps removed)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Newspaper, mixed paper, and junk mail
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and cereal boxes
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic film or grocery bags
- ✕Glass bottle caps (remove and discard)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Wet or soiled paper/cardboard
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords)
Yard Waste Bin
Grass clippings should not be bagged ('cut it and leave it'). Spring and fall leaf and brush collections are scheduled independently by the DPW.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush
- ✓Tree trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By requested appointment (Pickup occurs the day AFTER your regular trash day)
Placement
Call 732-255-1000 (Option 1 for non-metal, Ext 8170 for metal). Place items curbside by 6:30 AM the day after your standard weekly garbage day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Carpet (cut into 4-foot strips, rolled, tied, max 50 lbs each)
- ✓ Metal items (requires calling a separate DPW extension)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Whole house move-out volumes
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals
- ✕ Carpet rolls exceeding 50 lbs
Standard residential bulk pickup is free, but excessive move-out piles or construction debris are strictly prohibited and require a private dumpster rental at the homeowner's expense.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Garbage and recycling are not picked up on major observed holidays. Generally, if a holiday falls on a Monday, all collections for that week will occur one day later than your normal collection day.
Yard Waste Exception
Special bulk pickups, brush, and leaf collections are suspended on major holidays to allow crews to focus on adjusted household trash routes.
Collections DO occur on the Friday immediately following Thanksgiving Day. Always consult the Recycle Coach app to verify exact holiday shift dates.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
Memorial Day to Labor DayIf you live on the Barrier Island (including Pelican Island), your garbage collection temporarily switches to a twice-a-week schedule on Mondays and Thursdays to accommodate peak season waste. Mainland routes do not change.
Fall
October to DecemberThe Public Works Department operates dedicated leaf and branch collection routes during the autumn months. Check the Recycle Coach app for your neighborhood's exact weeks, and never mix standard garbage into your yard waste piles.
Winter
JanuaryAfter the holidays, the Toms River DPW opens up a specialized Christmas Tree Drop-Off program. Ensure your tree is completely stripped of lights, ornaments, and tinsel before bringing it in for mulching.
Local Tips & Community Info
Get Paid for Your Cans and Bottles in Toms River?
While Toms River doesn't have a dedicated local bottle buyback center right in town, New Jersey's state program lets you redeem your empty beverage containers (like soda and water bottles and cans) for a small refund. Just look for the 'NJ 5¢ deposit' on the label. You can often return these to larger grocery stores throughout the area, or find scrap yards in nearby towns like Lakewood or Brick that might pay for aluminum cans, copper, and other metals. It’s a good way to turn your recyclables into a little extra cash before they even hit the curb!
Giving Your Unwanted Stuff a Second Life in Toms River
Instead of tossing perfectly good items, consider donating them to folks who could really use them. In the Toms River area, you've got options! The Salvation Army Family Store & Donation Center on Fischer Boulevard is a great spot for clothes, furniture, and household goods. Also, check out Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Lakewood – they often take building materials, furniture, and home décor. Donating not only helps others but also keeps useful items out of the landfill.
Keeping Toms River Clean: Events and Reporting
Keeping Toms River beautiful is a team effort! While specific hazardous waste collection days can change, Ocean County often hosts special drop-off events throughout the year for things like electronics, paint, and chemicals. Keep an eye on the county's website for announcements. If you ever see illegal dumping, don't just ignore it. You can report it to the Toms River Township Public Works Department. They’re the ones who can get it cleaned up properly and help prevent it from happening again.
Drop-off Facilities
Toms River Township Recycling Convenience Center / Public Works
1672 Church Road, Toms River, NJ 08753
Materials Accepted
Ocean County Landfill
2498 Route 70, Manchester, NJ 08759
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I throw away large bulk items or furniture in Toms River?
Bulk waste is not picked up automatically. You must call the DPW at 732-255-1000 (Option 1) to schedule an extra collection. Once approved, place the items at the curb by 6:30 AM on the day immediately following your regular garbage collection day.
What should I do if my garbage doesn't fit in my one Robo can?
All trash must fit inside the Robo can with the lid closed. If you regularly have excess trash, you can purchase up to two additional Robo containers from the township for $100 each, or you can drop off excess waste at the Recycling Convenience Center on Church Road twice a month.
Does Toms River's garbage schedule change in the summer?
Yes, but only for certain coastal areas. If you live on the Barrier Island, including Pelican Island, your schedule switches to twice-a-week collection (Mondays and Thursdays) from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The mainland schedule remains unchanged all year.
How do I properly dispose of old carpet?
To throw away carpeting, it must be cut into strips no wider than four feet. These strips must be rolled up, tied or bundled securely, and each individual roll cannot weigh more than 50 pounds. You must then call to schedule it for a bulk pickup.