Before You Visit Monroe Township’s Recycling Drop-Off Center
Monroe Township’s Department of Public Works operates the resident recycling drop-off center at 76 Gravel Hill Spotswood Road, Monroe Township, NJ 08831. Current township information lists weekday drop-off hours from 7:00 AM to 2:45 PM and Saturday hours from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM.
Bring proof of Monroe Township residency, separate recyclables before arrival and do not use plastic bags for recyclable materials. Commercial vehicles, contractors, landscapers and businesses are not permitted to use the resident drop-off program.
Quick Answer for Monroe Township Residents
The Monroe Township Recycling Drop-Off Center is part of the Department of Public Works at 76 Gravel Hill Spotswood Road. Current township hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM–2:45 PM and Saturday, 8:00–11:30 AM. The center is closed Sunday and township guidance lists holiday closures.
Proof of residency is required. The center accepts common recyclables plus electronics, motor oil, antifreeze, rechargeable and auto batteries, scrap metal, white goods, propane tanks up to the listed size, packing foam blocks and yard waste.
Use the 7:00 AM weekday opening time
Monroe Township has an older curbside-guidelines page that still shows a 7:30 AM weekday opening for the drop-off center. The current Public Works page and 2026 curbside schedule both list 7:00 AM, so this guide uses the newer 7:00 AM opening time.
If you are making a time-sensitive trip, check the current township page before leaving because weather, holidays, staffing or municipal notices can affect access.
On this page
This Guide Is for Monroe Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey
New Jersey has more than one municipality called Monroe Township. This page covers Monroe Township in Middlesex County, whose municipal website is MonroeTwp.com and whose recycling drop-off center is at 76 Gravel Hill Spotswood Road.
If you live in Monroe Township in Gloucester County, or in a Monroe Township outside New Jersey, do not use these hours or disposal rules. Recycling programs are controlled locally and can differ substantially even when municipalities share the same name.
Monroe Township Recycling Center Hours
Public Works office hours and recycling-center access hours are different. Use the recycling-center schedule when planning a drop-off trip.
| Service | Current Published Hours | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Recycling Center | Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–2:45 PM | Current Public Works drop-off hours. |
| Saturday Drop-Off | 8:00 AM–11:30 AM | Short morning window. |
| Sunday | Closed | Do not plan Sunday as a backup drop-off day. |
| Public Works Office | Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–2:30 PM | Use this schedule for office questions, not drop-off access. |
Holiday and weather check
Township recycling guidance lists the drop-off center as closed Sundays and holidays. Storms, emergencies or temporary municipal notices can also affect service, so verify before transporting a large or difficult load.
Proof of Residency and Vehicle Rules
Monroe Township requires proof of residency for recycling-center use. The township also states that commercial vehicles are not permitted. Contractors, landscapers and businesses cannot use the center as a commercial disposal route.
Residents
Bring a current document or identification that reasonably demonstrates Monroe Township residency. Keep it accessible before reaching the unloading area.
Commercial loads
Business, contractor and landscaper material does not qualify simply because the job site or customer is in Monroe Township.
Questionable load
Call 732-656-4575 before driving if the vehicle, quantity or material could look commercial or unusually large.
Materials Accepted at Monroe Township Recycling Center
The current Public Works page lists the following materials at the Monroe Township Recycling Facility. Sort your load before arrival and follow staff directions once on site.
| Material | Current Township Listing | Preparation Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics | Computers, TVs and printers/fax machines | Erase personal data before recycling devices where possible. |
| Motor oil / antifreeze | Accepted | Keep each liquid separate in a sealed container. |
| Residential bulky items | Accepted subject to the published exclusions | Check the bulky-waste section before loading. |
| Scrap metal / white goods | Accepted | Ask before unloading appliances or unusually large metal. |
| Plastic containers | PETE #1 and HDPE #2 bottles and cans | Rinse; follow township cap-removal guidance. |
| Newspaper | Tied newspaper | Keep clean and dry. |
| Cardboard | Flattened cardboard | Flatten before arriving. |
| Mixed paper | Accepted | Keep separate from bundled newspaper. |
| Batteries | Auto and rechargeable batteries | Keep terminals protected where appropriate. |
| Propane tanks | 20-pound tanks only | Do not bring oversized cylinders without calling first. |
| Packing foam | Packing-type foam blocks | Foam peanuts and food containers are excluded. |
| Yard waste | Brush, leaves and grass | See yard-waste rules below. |
Do not bag recyclables in plastic bags
Monroe Township explicitly states that recyclable materials will not be accepted in plastic bags. Sort materials before leaving home so staff can direct them to the correct collection area.
Items the Recycling Center Does Not Accept
The Public Works recycling-facility list currently identifies the following materials as unacceptable. Some have alternative county or regional disposal routes, but they should not be mixed into an ordinary recycling-center load.
Construction and masonry
- Construction debris
- Roofing material
- Masonry material
- Dirt and rocks
- Bricks
- Concrete
- Asphalt
Household or special waste
- Kitchen garbage
- Household hazardous waste
- Tires
- Utility poles
Wrong type of foam
- Foam peanuts
- Foam food containers
Packing-type foam blocks are treated differently and are listed as acceptable.
When a material does not clearly match the township list, call before loading it. A rejected item can create a wasted trip and may require a regulated disposal route.
Paint Drop-Off Rules in Monroe Township
Paint has two different eligibility paths, which is why it should not be treated like an ordinary recycling-center material.
Monroe Township residents
The current Public Works page says Monroe Township residents may drop off paint during regular recycling-center business hours.
Other Middlesex County residents
Monroe Public Works also hosts a county paint opportunity on the third Saturday of each month. The current township webpage lists 8:00 AM–11:30 AM.
Third-Saturday timing discrepancy
A published 2026 recycling guide has shown an 8:30 AM start for the county third-Saturday paint program, while the current township webpage lists 8:00 AM. If you are relying on the county-wide paint event rather than Monroe resident regular-hours access, verify the start time with Public Works before leaving.
Township guidance lists latex, water-based and oil-based paints along with stains, varnishes, lacquers, thinners, paint aerosols and cans containing paint. Dried paint is handled differently, so check the current instructions before bringing an old can.
Electronics, Motor Oil, Antifreeze and Batteries
Monroe Township lists computers, TVs, printers/fax machines, motor oil, antifreeze, auto batteries and rechargeable batteries among accepted recycling-center materials. These should be kept separate from ordinary paper, cardboard and container recycling.
Electronics
Back up files, sign out of accounts and erase personal data where possible before recycling a computer or other data-bearing device.
Automotive liquids
Keep motor oil and antifreeze in separate, sealed containers. Do not combine fluids simply to make transport easier.
Batteries
Auto and rechargeable batteries are listed. Protect battery terminals and keep batteries away from loose metal where appropriate.
Related guides: Electronics Recycling Center and Battery Recycling Center.
Bulky Waste, Appliances and Furniture
Monroe Township lists residential bulky items at the recycling facility and separately states that appliances, furniture, barbecue-type propane tanks, freezers and refrigerators may be brought to the Public Works Yard at the same 76 Gravel Hill Spotswood Road location.
Refrigerator and freezer doors must be removed as required by the township guidance before the appliance is brought for disposal.
Bulky does not mean everything
Hazardous chemicals, paint handled outside the paint program, driveway sealers, pesticides, tires, utility poles, railroad ties, construction material, stumps, sod, dirt, stones, food, concrete, asphalt, bricks, roofing material, pallets and asbestos are not ordinary bulky-waste drop-off items.
Seasonal bulk pickup by appointment
Township information also describes curbside bulk pickup as a separate service. Appointments are scheduled on Wednesdays and Thursdays between April 1 and November 1. Residents should not place bulk at the curb earlier than one day before the scheduled collection.
Leaves, Brush, Grass and Yard Waste
Monroe Township uses different rules for curbside yard-waste collection and recycling-center drop-off. Brown biodegradable bags are required for several curbside yard-waste services and can be picked up at the recycling center.
| Material | Curbside Rule | Drop-Off Note |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Brown recycling bags; no loose-leaf curbside pickup. | Yard waste is listed at the recycling center. |
| Brush | Township collection has size and tying requirements. | Brush is listed among accepted yard waste. |
| Grass | Brown bags during the seasonal collection period. | Grass may be brought to the recycling center. |
Current township information says clippings, yard waste and grass may be taken to the drop-off center loose or bagged. If grass arrives in plastic bags, residents must empty it into the designated area rather than leaving the plastic bag with the yard material.
Are Tires Accepted at Monroe Township Recycling Center?
No. Tires are listed among the materials not accepted at Monroe Township’s recycling facility.
The township’s 2026 recycling schedule directs residents to the East Brunswick Reclamation Center, 357 Dunhams Corner Road for tire recycling and lists its schedule as Monday through Saturday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM, closed Sundays and holidays. Because another municipality operates that facility, verify its current eligibility and fee rules before driving.
Related guide: Tire Recycling Center Near Me.
2026 Monroe Township Curbside Recycling
Curbside recycling is not operated as a drop-off-center service. Monroe Township states that the Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA) handles curbside recycling.
Zone 3
2026 curbside recycling is scheduled on designated Wednesdays.
Zones 1 and 4
2026 curbside recycling is scheduled on designated Thursdays.
Zones 2 and 5
2026 curbside recycling is scheduled on designated Fridays.
Missed recycling pickup
If collection is missed or delayed, township guidance says to leave the recycling at the curb once it has been placed out on the scheduled date and contact MCIA at 800-488-6242. The township says the collection contractor will attempt recovery after a missed pickup.
2026 curbside collection holidays
The township lists New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas as curbside recycling collection holidays. When a scheduled collection falls on one of those holidays, the township says collection moves to the following Saturday.
Municipal Public Works holidays do not automatically change the curbside MCIA collection schedule. That distinction is important because the drop-off center and curbside collection are different services.
Household Hazardous Waste Needs a Different Program
Household hazardous waste is explicitly listed as an unacceptable recycling-center material. Products such as certain pesticides, corrosive chemicals, fuels and other hazardous household substances should not be placed into normal recycling or brought to the center unless an official special program specifically accepts them.
Monroe Township links residents to the Middlesex County household hazardous waste program from its recycling schedule. Check the county program for current event dates, accepted materials, residency requirements and preparation instructions before transporting hazardous products.
Related guide: Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Center .
Before-You-Go Checklist
Confirm you are using the Middlesex County Monroe Township guide
The facility is at 76 Gravel Hill Spotswood Road, Monroe Township, NJ 08831.
Check today’s drop-off schedule
Use 7:00 AM–2:45 PM Monday through Friday or 8:00–11:30 AM Saturday as the current published schedule.
Bring proof of residency
The resident requirement is published by Monroe Township and applies to the recycling facility.
Sort recyclables before loading
Keep cardboard, paper, containers, electronics, batteries, fluids, foam and yard waste separated.
Do not bag recyclables in plastic
Township guidance explicitly prohibits recyclable material arriving in plastic bags.
Keep rejected materials out of the vehicle
Tires, household hazardous waste, construction debris, masonry and kitchen garbage need another route.
Call about unusual or oversized loads
Public Works can confirm whether a bulky item, unusual vehicle or special material qualifies before you travel.
Map and Directions to the Recycling Drop-Off Center
The recycling facility is part of the Monroe Township Department of Public Works complex at 76 Gravel Hill Spotswood Road. Use the map for navigation, but use the township website for current operating and material rules.
Related Recycling Guides
Electronic waste
Review device preparation and common electronics-recycling rules before disposing of computers or TVs.
Batteries
Different battery chemistries need different handling. Keep terminals protected and avoid mixing damaged batteries.
Hazardous household material
Use a dedicated HHW route for materials the Monroe recycling facility does not accept.
Frequently Asked Questions About Monroe Township Recycling Center
Where is Monroe Township Recycling Center?
The Monroe Township Recycling Drop-Off Center is at the Department of Public Works, 76 Gravel Hill Spotswood Road, Monroe Township, NJ 08831.
What are Monroe Township Recycling Center hours?
Current Township Public Works information lists Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 2:45 PM and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM.
Is Monroe Township Recycling Center open Sunday?
No. Township recycling information lists the facility as closed Sunday and holidays.
Do I need proof of residency?
Yes. Monroe Township explicitly requires proof of residency for use of the recycling center.
Can a contractor or business use the center?
No. The township states that commercial vehicles are not permitted and that contractors, landscapers and businesses cannot use the resident recycling-center drop-off program.
Does Monroe Township Recycling Center accept electronics?
Yes. The current township list includes computers, TVs and printers/fax machines among accepted items.
Does Monroe Township Recycling Center accept paint?
Monroe Township residents may drop paint during regular center hours according to the current Public Works page. The township also hosts a third-Saturday program for Middlesex County residents. Verify the event start time before making a county-program trip.
Can I recycle tires at the Monroe Township center?
No. Tires are listed as unacceptable at the Monroe facility. Township guidance points residents to the East Brunswick Reclamation Center; verify that facility’s current rules first.
Can I bring construction debris, concrete or roofing material?
No. Construction debris, masonry material, concrete, asphalt, bricks and roofing material are listed among materials not accepted at the recycling center.
Who should I call about a missed curbside recycling pickup?
Monroe Township directs curbside recycling service issues to the Middlesex County Improvement Authority at 800-488-6242.
Official Sources and Verification
Facility rules, collection schedules and special programs can change. These official resources should control over older maps, directories or saved copies of this guide.
- Monroe Township — Public Works & Recycling
- Monroe Township — 2026 Curbside Recycling Schedule
- Monroe Township — Curbside Recycling Guidelines
- Middlesex County — Solid Waste and Recycling Programs
Monroe Township Public Works: 732-656-4575
MCIA Recycling Hotline: 800-488-6242