Department of Solid Waste Management

These garden products are available free of charge to homeowners and municipalities.

Finished Leaf Compost

A great choice for intensively planted flower, shrub and vegetable beds. Compost adds organic matter back to the soil faster than mulch. Ideal to use during Spring.

Before planting a tree or shrub, dig a hole twice the size of the plant’s root ball. Place the plant into the hole, and fill it with a mixture of the soil you dug up and compost. For established trees and shrubs you can top dress with 3” of compost in the spring and fall.

For Indoor Containers & Window Boxes, integrate about a one-inch layer of compost into indoor containers and window boxes before planting. You can also top off your existing planters with compost as the older ma-terial starts to break down.

Integrate it to your Lawn Care. New turf: incorporate up to 3” of compost into the existing soil base. If possible, till to a depth of 5-8” before seeding. Otherwise, seed directly over the compost. Existing turf: treat bald spots by incorporating 1” of compost into the soil and then reseed. You can also top-dress existing turf with as much as a ½” of finely screened compost.

Single Ground Mulch

Excellent for walkways or garden beds, great weed suppression and moisture retention. Mulching should have a depth of 2 to 4 inches, and should be kept at least 5 inches from the trunks. Freshly planted shrubs and flowers can also be victims of overmulching, since the excessive amount of brown material will suck up the nitrogen from your plants.

Double Ground Mulch

Perfect for garden beds, finer mulch.

B.Y.O. Bucket If you need a smaller amount, bring your own container, and tools (shovels or pitchforks).

Our products are tested for Heavy Metals, soluble salts, and pH.


Material Calculator

Not sure how much you need?
40 lbs of compost = 0.75 cubic ft
1 cubic foot covers 12 sq ft an inch depth

Residential pickup of material is limited to one pickup truck bed or single-axle trailer-sized load at a time, with no limit on daily visits. Materials available at the Ocean County Recycling Centers in Lakewood & Stafford. Some Municipal Departments of Public Works offer these service as well, see the map below



Northern Recycling Center Residential Pick-up area located at535 Oberlin Avenue South

Southern Recycling Center Residential Pick-up area located at 379 Haywood Road, Manahawkin, NJ 08050

Landscapers must use the main entrances and scale.

For more information, please call the Northern Recycling Center at (732) 367-0802 or the Southern Recycling Center at (609) 978-0913.

If interested in material for a Community Garden project, please call (732) 367-0802 to arrange a delivery.