Ocean County Department of Solid Waste Management John C. Bartlett, Jr., Freeholder Liaison James F. Lacey, Freeholder Liaison

Hotline

For information on solid waste management activities in Ocean County, call the Ocean County Solid Waste Management Hotline at 1-800-55-RECYCLE. The Hotline provides quick and easy information on such things as household hazardous waste collection, disposal of asbestos and appliances, empty paint cans, batteries and tires, home composting, paint management, and the hours of operation for the County’s Recycling Centers. The Hotline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To report illegal dumping, please call the Ocean County Environmental Crimes Unit Hotline at 1-800-535-DUMP.

Publications & Other Media

    Watch a video about recycling education.

• A Guide to Solid Waste Management in Ocean County - This guide provides an overview of Ocean County’s various recycling and solid waste management activities.

• Ocean County Recycling Directory (PDF format) - This handy directory, which is published annually, provides important recycling information that residents should become familiar with.  It provides information on the full range of recycling opportunities that are available in our region as well as policies, facilities and programs.  Commonly asked questions are addressed about recycling and other solid waste management matters. 

 • Welcome to Ocean County’s Recyclable Materials Processing Facility - This guide, which is primarily distributed at tours of the County’s Recycling Facility, provides a more detailed description of the state-of-the-art facility. Specifications and recent developments are discussed.

• Welcome to the Ocean County Backyard Composting Demonstration Site (PDF format) - This brochure provides general information regarding composting and the compost units displayed at the County's site.

• Do Your Part! A Guide to Buying, Using & Disposing of Household Toxic Products (PDF format) - This brochure explains to Ocean County consumers how they can reduce the generation of household toxic products and save money by shopping smart and using toxic-free household alternatives. Proper disposal of toxic household products is also discussed. 

• Grasscycling (PDF format) - This brochure explains how to recycle your grass clippings naturally by the "cut and leave it" method. The brochure also discusses proper mowing, watering and fertilizing to maintain a healthy lawn.

• Your Guide to Home Composting - This brochure explains how to compost, what to compost, why we should compost, and discusses the different types of units that can be used to make compost.

• Kids Can Compost Too! (PDF format) - This colorful brochure for children explains the basics behind composting and its environmental benefits.

• Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County Publications on Home Composting - Various leaflets are available on home composting from the Rutgers Extension of Ocean County by contacting the Department of Solid Waste Management.

• Ocean County Recycles Newsletter (PDF format) - This newsletter is published quarterly and provides information on current activities and events occurring in Ocean County’s Solid Waste Management Program. To be placed on the mailing list, please call the Department of Solid Waste Management at 732-506-5047 or e-mail us at ocrecycles@co.ocean.nj.us.  

• Teacher’s Resource Guide to Recycling in Ocean County (PDF format, 6.92 mb) - This guide was  updated in 2004 and is geared for grades four through six. Includes many activities that teachers can integrate within their lesson plan. Copies of the guide are also available from the Department of Solid Waste Management office.  The guide is available as well in CD-Rom format.

• Ocean County Recycles video - This video provides an overview of Ocean County’s solid waste management activities and is for all age groups. Running time is approximately twenty minutes.  Segments of this video can be seen on our website, just click here to get to the page to view a selection of the segments. The video is available at all Ocean County Library branches.  Schools, groups and organizations can receive the video upon request.  It is available in VHS, CD-Rom and DVD formats.

• Ocean County District Solid Waste Management Plan and Amendments - The Department of Solid Waste Management maintains copies of the District Solid Waste Management Plan and Amendments for review in our Administrative offices at 129 Hooper Avenue, Toms River or copies may be reproduced for a charge.

• Statistical Recycling and Solid Waste Data - Yearly data is available that presents landfilled and recycled tonnage for all Ocean County municipalities. To receive copies of this data, please contact the Department of Solid Waste Management. Click here for Ocean County's 2004 recycling rates by municipality (PDF format).

Meeting Schedules

Municipal Recycling Coordinator and Solid Waste Advisory Council meetings are held every other month. The Municipal Recycling Coordinator meeting is held the first Friday of every other month at 9:15 a.m. in Room 119 of the Ocean County Administration Building, Hooper Avenue, Toms River. This meeting is not open to the public.

Ocean County Solid Waste Advisory Council meetings are held the third Monday of every other month at 7:00 p.m. in Room 119 of the Ocean County Administration Building, Hooper Avenue, Toms River. This meeting is open to the public.