Brick's Trash & Recycling: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles trash & recycling a little differently. In Brick, New Jersey, there are 8 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Illegal Dumping

Dumping household or commercial waste, tires, appliances, furniture, or junk along any Brick Township street, right-of-way, or private property not designated for disposal is unlawful; violators face fines up to $2,000 and up to 90 days in jail.

Key details: Governing section: Brick Township Code § 267-5. Max fine: $2,000 per offense. Max jail term: 90 days. Enforced by: Police Dept. or Code Enforcement Officer. Continuing violations: each day is a separate offense.

Up to $2,000 fine, up to 90 days in county jail, or up to 90 days of community service per offense; each day of a continuing violation counts as a separate offense.

This is one of the stricter rules in Brick's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Bin Placement Rules

Brick Township bars residents from setting garbage carts at the curb before 6:00 p.m. the night before pickup, and empty carts must be pulled back by 8:00 a.m. the next morning under Township Code § 390-46.

Key details: Earliest set-out: 6:00 p.m. day before pickup. Empty can removal deadline: 8:00 a.m. next morning. Storage location: within 3 ft of dwelling. Alt. storage distance: 20 ft from pavement edge. Max fine: $2,000, each day separate.

Violating the set-out/removal window is a General Penalty offense (§ 1-15): up to a $2,000 fine or 90 days, each day a separate violation. Noncompliant containers can simply go uncollected under § 390-50.

Yard Waste Collection

Brick Township allows curbside yard waste (leaves and grass clippings) placement only during the seven days before a scheduled collection, and it must stay at least 10 feet from any storm drain inlet under Township Code § 390-62.

Key details: Placement window: Only 7 days before scheduled collection. Storm drain distance: Must stay 10 feet from storm drains. Yard waste defined: Leaves and grass clippings only. Enforcement: Police Dept. or Code Enforcement Officer. Penalty: Up to $2,000 fine or 90 days.

Placing non-containerized yard waste at the curb outside the seven-day pre-collection window, or within 10 feet of a storm drain, is a violation punishable under the Township's general penalty: up to $2,000 or 90 days.

Dumpster Rules

Brick Township's Fire Prevention Code bars keeping a garbage dumpster in a marked fire zone, fire lane, fire area, or within three feet of a fire hydrant, with fines up to $500 per day for violators.

Key details: Max fine: Up to $500 per day. Hydrant clearance: Not within 3 feet of hydrant. Prohibited areas: Fire zones, fire lanes, fire areas. Enforcement: Bureau of Fire Safety; can tow. Code chapter: Chapter 191, Fire Prevention.

Locating a dumpster in a fire zone, lane, or area, or within three feet of a hydrant, draws a fine up to $500 per day; the Bureau can also tow or remove it at the owner's cost.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Brick actively enforces its dumpster rules requirements.

Recycling Requirements

Brick Township mandates source-separated recycling for every residence and business, with curbside containers out between 6 p.m. the night before and 7 a.m. on collection day.

Key details: Curbside window: 6 p.m. prior evening to 7 a.m.. Pickup removal deadline: 8 a.m. day after collection. Fine range: $250-$1,000 per offense. Enforcement: Code Enforcement, Recycling Coordinator, Health Dept..

Fines run $250 to $1,000 per offense, with each day of noncompliance a separate violation; money collected goes into the Municipal Recycling Trust Fund.

Bulk Item Disposal

Brick Township's Public Works picks up furniture, mattresses, appliances and other bulk items curbside under specific prep rules, but move-out debris goes to Code Enforcement instead.

Key details: Governing section: Brick Twp. Code § 390-43(D). Move-out debris: Not collected; referred to Code Enforcement. Construction materials: Never accepted curbside. Drop-off center cap: 12 drop-offs per year. Penalty: $100+ fine, Ch. 1 § 1-15.

Improperly prepared or move-out bulk items left curbside go to Code Enforcement rather than being collected; violations of the article carry the Chapter 1 § 1-15 general penalty (fine of $100 or more per offense, each day a separate violation) under § 390-54.

Pickup Rules & Schedules

Brick Township bans curbside setout before 6 p.m. the night before collection and requires empty cans back within three feet of the house by 8 a.m. the next morning.

Key details: Setout window opens: 6:00 p.m. day before pickup. Empty cans removed by: 8:00 a.m. next morning. Container limit: 2 containers per parcel. Recycling schedule: Every other week, loose in blue bin.

Township employees who find noncompliant setout notify the resident on-site or in writing rather than collecting; the Township is not obligated to pick up garbage left outside the rules, and repeat violators can have collection service suspended or terminated on 10 days' written notice.

Collection Schedule

Brick Township runs mandatory municipal garbage collection with strict curbside timing: containers out no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before pickup, empty bins back by 8 a.m. the next morning.

Key details: Earliest setout: 6:00 p.m. day before collection. Container removal deadline: 8:00 a.m. day after collection. Container limit: 2 containers per residential parcel. Recycling frequency: Every other week, blue containers. Enforcing department: Township Department of Public Works.

Noncompliant setouts simply aren't collected: a Township employee documents the noncompliance and notifies the resident or owner rather than issuing an immediate fine, though general code penalties under Chapter 1, § 1-15 can apply to other violations in the chapter.

The Bottom Line

Brick is tougher than many cities when it comes to trash & recycling. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Brick, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Brick's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.