Freehold Township, NJ Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)

Chapter 253, adopted originally as Ord. No. O-86-44 and amended through Ord. No. O-11-2, makes recycling mandatory rather than voluntary in Freehold Township. Section 253-1A requires every owner, lessee and occupant of residential property to separate recyclable material, naming leaves, glass bottles and jars, tin and bimetal cans, pourable plastic containers (Nos. 1 and 2), aluminum beverage containers, corrugated cardboard, clean mixed paper and newspapers, plus anything else the Monmouth County Solid Waste Management Plan mandates. Section 253-1B imposes the identical duty on businesses, schools, institutions and industrial property.

Since October 1, 1988 no demolition material may go out with landfill trash (§253-1C), and since January 1, 2011 computers, monitors and TVs are barred from the regular trash stream under the New Jersey Electronics Waste Management Act (§253-1D). Grass clippings, white goods, rechargeable and vehicle batteries, and asphalt shingles are likewise excluded from mixed trash (§253-1F). Section 253-1G restricts residents, businesses and institutions to recycling haulers and facilities registered with Monmouth County, and businesses that self-haul must file quarterly tonnage reports with the Municipal Recycling Coordinator, a position created by §253-3 and appointed by the Township Administrator.

Once materials reach the curb or a drop-off center they become Township property under §253-6, and unauthorized collection of set-out recyclables is a separate offense for each pickup. Section 253-8 lets the Coordinator, the Monmouth County Health Department, any Township official or a police officer issue a summons for noncompliance.