Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lacey Township
Trash Day
Trash is collected twice per week by zone (typically Monday and Thursday for areas south of Lacey Road, and Tuesday and Friday for areas north of Lacey Road)
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on your neighborhood's designated zone day (e.g., Wednesday or Friday)
Yard Waste
Curbside leaf collection is provided during dedicated spring and fall pickup cycles; brush and leaves can also be dropped off year-round at the Township Recycling Center
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside trash and recycling collections are provided by the township and funded through property taxes, which are due quarterly on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online (E-Check, Credit Card), ACH Auto-Pay, Mail, Drop Box, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior citizen (age 65+), disabled person, and veteran property tax deductions and freeze programs are available for eligible homeowners through the Tax Assessor and Collector offices.
Resident-provided Bin (Trash)
All trash must be placed in a covered, airtight container. Plastic garbage bags placed directly on the curb outside of a hard-sided container will not be collected by Meadowbrook Industries.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-hazardous municipal solid waste
Resident-provided (clearly marked for recycling) Bin (Recycling)
Recycling must be placed loose in a covered, airtight container. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited for recyclables and will cause your bin to be rejected.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1, #2, #5
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and metal cans
- ✓Mixed paper and cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Food-soiled pizza boxes
- ✕Tangles like hoses or wires
Yard Waste Bin
Place vegetative waste in biodegradable paper bags or reusable containers up to 32 gallons. Plastic bags are completely banned for yard waste. Do not rake leaves directly into the street or gutters.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Pine needles
- ✓Grass clippings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your second trash collection day
Placement
Place your eligible items neatly at the curb alongside your regular, covered trash containers strictly on the second pickup day of your designated week.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and sofas
- ✓ Kitchen tables
- ✓ Chairs
- ✓ Up to 4 pieces of standard household furniture
Not Accepted
- ✕ Whole house cleanouts
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
Bulk pickup is included in standard municipal service for up to 4 furniture items. Massive cleanouts require residents to hire a private junk hauler or dumpster service at their own expense.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Trash and recycling collections generally shift one day forward due to major holidays, but specific dates can occasionally remain active depending on Meadowbrook Industries' routing. Always check the official Lacey Recycle Coach app or the Township PDF calendar to confirm your adjusted pickup date.
Yard Waste Exception
The Municipal Recycling Center at 820 Municipal Lane is strictly closed on all holidays when the Lacey Township Municipal Building is closed.
Dropping off materials outside the gates of the Recycling Center when it is closed for a holiday is considered illegal dumping and is a violation of local ordinances.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of Bins
Never use plastic grocery or trash bags for your recyclables or yard waste. Plastic bags jam the mechanical sorters at the Ocean County facility and will result in your bins being left at the curb by the haulers.
Always Cover Your Containers
Both trash and recycling bins must feature tight-fitting lids. Lacey Township enforces this specific rule to prevent litter from blowing into the streets and the local Barnegat Bay waterways during windy coastal weather.
Separate Vegetative Debris from Leaves
During the scheduled leaf collections, do not mix twigs, heavy branches, acorns, or household trash with your leaves. Pine needles are considered leaves, but mixed woody debris will cause the township crews to skip your bags.
Seasonal Information
Fall
November - DecemberLacey Public Works conducts three distinct curbside leaf collection cycles. Leaves must be out prior to the start of each cycle in biodegradable bags or 32-gallon containers. If you miss a cycle, crews will not return to your street until the next one officially begins.
Summer
July - AugustWith high summer humidity and temperatures, ensure your garbage and recycling containers are routinely rinsed out and always covered with their airtight lids to deter raccoons, rodents, and severe odors.
Year-Round
January - DecemberThe Lacey Township Recycling Center at 820 Municipal Lane accepts leaves all year. However, if you transport your yard waste in plastic bags in your trunk, you must manually empty the leaves into the designated pile and take the empty plastic bags back home with you.
About Lacey Township Waste Management
Understanding Lacey's Dual Trash Collection Days
Lacey Township contracts with Meadowbrook Industries to provide residents with highly convenient, twice-weekly trash collection. While this frequent service ensures household waste doesn't linger, residents must adhere to strict container guidelines. Per local ordinance, all household garbage must be placed inside covered, airtight containers. Placing loose plastic trash bags directly on the curb is strictly prohibited and can result in uncollected waste or code enforcement fines.
Navigating Furniture and Bulk Waste Rules
While Lacey Township does not offer a massive, unlimited bulk house cleanout service, disposing of everyday large items is incredibly straightforward. On your second scheduled trash collection day of the week, residents are permitted to place up to four pieces of household furniture at the curb. For major estate cleanouts or excessive construction debris, homeowners must rent a private roll-off dumpster or haul the items directly to the Ocean County Landfill in Manchester.
Strict No-Plastic-Bag Recycling Policy
When utilizing Lacey's curbside recycling, proper containerization is crucial to protecting Ocean County's sorting infrastructure. Recyclables must be kept loose inside an airtight, covered recycling bin. Bagging your recyclables in plastic grocery bags is heavily prohibited, as the flexible film jams the mechanical sorting screens. Utilize the Recycle Coach app through the township's website to check your exact recycling weeks and confirm allowable materials.
The 820 Municipal Lane Recycling Drop-Off Center
Need to drop off materials between your scheduled curbside days? The Lacey Township Recycling Center and Public Works yard, located at 820 Municipal Lane, operates seven days a week to accommodate busy residents. In addition to standard single-stream recyclables, residents can drop off electronics, excess cardboard, and yard waste. Just remember that the facility strictly observes all municipal holidays and requires residents to unbag their leaves at the drop-off site.
Drop-off Facilities
Lacey Township Recycling Center & Public Works
820 Municipal Lane, Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734
Materials Accepted
Ocean County Landfill
2498 Route 70, Manchester, NJ 08759
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put my trash bags directly on the curb in Lacey Township?
No. According to strict local ordinances, all household trash must be placed inside covered, airtight containers. Placing loose plastic trash bags on the curb is not permitted, and they will not be picked up by Meadowbrook Industries.
How do I throw away a couch or large piece of furniture?
You can dispose of large furniture by placing up to four pieces at the curb on your second designated trash collection day of the week. There is no need to call ahead, but the four-item limit is strictly enforced to prevent massive whole-house cleanouts at the curb.
What should I do with my fall leaves if I miss the curbside collection?
If you miss the three scheduled curbside cycles in November and December, you can still bring your leaves to the Lacey Township Recycling Center on Municipal Lane year-round. Remember that if you transport them in plastic bags, you must dump the leaves out and take the bags home.
Does Lacey Township collect yard waste in plastic bags?
No. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited for yard waste collection. All leaves, pine needles, and grass clippings must be placed in paper biodegradable bags or left loose inside a 32-gallon reusable trash container.