Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Freehold
Trash Day
Twice weekly: District 1 is collected on Monday and Thursday; District 2 is collected on Tuesday and Friday.
Recycling
Every other Wednesday
Yard Waste
Seasonal curbside brush collection (typically in spring, summer, and fall by section) and year-round drop-off at the DPW yard on Center Street.
Set Out Time
By 6:30 AM on collection day (or after 6:00 PM the night before)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and recycling services are covered by general municipal taxes, while water and sewer services are billed quarterly based on usage.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Eligible low-income households can apply for water and sewer bill assistance through the State Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).
Standard container with lid (Resident-provided) Bin (Trash)
Containers must be between 20 and 32 gallons in size, and they must not weigh more than 50 pounds when full.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste
Freehold Borough Blue or Yellow Bucket (or similar open can) Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely in the designated bucket. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited. Cardboard must be tied in bundles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard (tied in bundles up to 12 inches high)
- ✓Newspaper and mixed office paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastics (Code #1 and #2 only)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags of any kind
- ✕Food-contaminated materials
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Do not mix brush with grass, leaves, or bamboo. Brush piles must be no larger than 4'x3'x8' and placed with butt ends facing the street. Do not use containers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush
- ✓Tree trimmings
- ✓Branches (Max 3 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By private arrangement or specific DPW directive
Placement
Do not place bulky furniture or appliances on the curb without coordinating a scheduled pickup, as it violates municipal codes.
Accepted
- ✓ Varies by contracted private hauler
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paint
- ✕ Tires
Fees apply and are determined by your chosen private waste management company.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Trash and recycling will NOT be collected on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Yard Waste Exception
Brush is only collected curbside three times a year (April, July, October) and is generally unaffected by minor municipal holidays.
If you have questions regarding holiday makeup days or missed pickups, contact the Freehold Borough DPW at 732-462-4200 (Option 8, then 1).
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Absolutely No Plastic Bags
Effective immediately, the contracted hauler will reject any recycling bin containing plastic bags [2.2.2]. Whether it is a clear plastic recycling bag or a standard grocery bag, all recyclables must remain loose inside your blue or yellow bucket.
Bundle Your Cardboard
Do not jam loose cardboard into your recycling bucket or use a large box to hold other recyclables. All cardboard must be flattened and tied securely with twine into bundles no higher than 12 inches.
Keep Brush Unmixed
When placing brush at the curb for the tri-annual pickup or bringing it to Center Street, ensure it consists purely of branches and twigs. Mixing in grass clippings, leaves, or bamboo violates local ordinances and will result in non-collection.
Seasonal Information
Spring
AprilApril marks the first of three designated curbside brush collections. Ensure all branches are under 4 feet in length and stacked with the butt ends facing the street. Piles cannot exceed 3.5 cubic yards.
Summer
JulyThe second curbside brush collection occurs in July. If you miss the collection week, you must transport your yard debris to the DPW yard at 161 Center Street during normal operating hours.
Winter
December - FebruaryWinter weather severely impacts street sweeping and sanitation routes. Ensure your 20-32 gallon trash cans are kept accessible and clear of snowbanks so collection crews can safely lift them without exceeding the 50-pound limit.
About Freehold Waste Management
Freehold Borough's Contracted Recycling Services
In Freehold Borough, waste management is a collaborative effort between the municipal Department of Public Works (DPW) and contracted private haulers. Currently, DeLisa Demolition & Disposal manages curbside recycling. The Borough enforces strict guidelines to ensure collection efficiency and environmental compliance, emphasizing proper container usage and the complete elimination of plastic bags from the recycling stream.
Strict Container Size and Weight Regulations
To protect sanitation workers from injury, Freehold Borough has implemented very specific size and weight limits for household garbage containers. All trash cans must be no smaller than 20 gallons and no larger than 32 gallons. Additionally, fully loaded containers must not exceed 50 pounds. Bins that violate these parameters will be left at the curb unemptied.
The Blue or Yellow Bucket Recycling Mandate
The Borough's recycling contractor will only collect materials placed in an official Freehold Borough blue or yellow bucket, or a similarly sized open-top garbage can (up to 30 gallons). If you are a new resident or tenant and do not have an official bucket, you can request one to be delivered to your home by calling the DPW directly.
Tri-Annual Curbside Brush Collection
Managing yard waste requires strategic timing. The DPW only collects brush curbside three times a year: during the months of April, July, and October. During these collection windows, brush must be neatly stacked with the butt ends facing the street and cut to a maximum length of 4 feet. Never place brush inside buckets or containers.
161 Center Street Drop-Off Options
For residents who miss the seasonal curbside brush pickups or need to safely dispose of Covered Electronic Devices (CEDs) like old televisions and computers, the Freehold Borough DPW operates a drop-off facility at 161 Center Street. This site is restricted to municipal residents only—commercial and landscaping vehicles are strictly prohibited.
Drop-off Facilities
Freehold Borough DPW Yard
161 Center Street, Freehold, NJ 07728
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What size trash cans am I allowed to use in Freehold Borough?
Freehold Borough requires that all trash containers be no smaller than 20 gallons and no larger than 32 gallons. Furthermore, the containers must not weigh more than 50 pounds when full.
Can I put my recycling in a clear plastic bag?
No. Effective immediately, plastic bags are strictly prohibited. The recycling contractor will only pick up materials if they are placed loosely in the Freehold Borough blue or yellow bucket, or a similar open garbage can up to 30 gallons.
When does the Borough collect tree branches and brush?
Curbside brush collection occurs only three times per year: in April, July, and October. Branches must be cut to a maximum length of 4 feet and placed with the butt ends facing the street. Do not put brush in containers.
How do I get a new blue or yellow recycling bucket?
If you are a new resident or tenant and do not have a designated recycling bucket, you can call the Freehold Borough DPW at 732-462-4200 (select option 8, then option 1) to have one delivered to your home.