Monroe Township (Middlesex County), NJ Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)

Section 63-2.1 of the Monroe Township Code (Middlesex County) was added 8-29-11 by Ord. No. O-8-2011-031 as a stormwater measure. Section 63-1 states the purpose: dumpsters and other refuse containers that are outdoors or exposed to stormwater must be covered at all times, and spilling, dumping, leaking or discharge to the municipal separate storm sewer system, or MS4, operated by the Township of Monroe or to the waters of the state is prohibited. The duty falls on any person who controls a container, whether owned, leased or operated. A refuse container is any waste container that a person controls, including dumpsters, trash cans, garbage pails and plastic trash bags.

Section 63-2.2 lists five exceptions to the prohibition: permitted temporary demolition containers, litter receptacles other than dumpsters or other bulk containers, individual homeowner trash and recycling containers, refuse containers at facilities authorized to discharge stormwater under a valid NJDES permit, and large bulky items such as furniture, bound carpet and padding, and white goods placed curbside for pickup. A commercial dumpster is not on that list.

Other sections tighten the standard. Section 63-14 prohibits open-top waste disposal bins for any use within the Township, requires bins to hold all generated waste with the top closed between pickups, and prohibits storage of waste outside the bin. Section 63-15 requires each bin to be designated for the type of waste it contains and bars depositing a waste in a bin not designated for it. Section 63-23 requires leak-proof, approved containers with close-fitting covers for garbage, vegetable wastes and other putrescible material, in sufficient number and capacity. Under § 63-28, proprietors, lessees and occupants must provide and service refuse receptacles in a manner approved by the Director of Public Works.