TOMS RIVER – The Ocean County Department of Solid Waste Management has cancelled the following upcoming events until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic:

• The Household Hazardous Waste event scheduled for May 9 in Stafford Township. A new date for the Lakewood and Stafford Township events will be determined at a later date.
• The following Residential Document Shredding dates have been postponed:
o April 11 – Berkeley Township
o April 18 – Plumsted Township
o April 23 – Surf City Borough (St. Francis Health Fair)
o May 6 – Little Egg Harbor Township (LEH Senior Expo)
o May 16 – Jackson Township
o May 30 – Seaside Heights

“It is unfortunate that we have to cancel these events due to the coronavirus, but it is best for the health and safety of our employees and our residents to reschedule them for a later date,” said Ocean County Freeholder Deputy Director Gary Quinn, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Department of Solid Waste Management.

In addition, the “special waste” drop-off areas at both the Northern Recycling Center in Lakewood (Building 68) and the Southern Recycling Center in Manahawkin (Building 105) will be closed to the public until further notice. “Special waste” includes items such as paint, fluorescent light bulbs, oil & oil filters, batteries, antifreeze, e-waste, rigid plastics, thermostats, books & phone books, shredded paper, and shrink wrap.

The single stream drop offs for cardboard, paper, plastic bottles, jars and jugs, glass containers and aluminum, tin or steel cans will remain open to the public, but are closed on Saturdays.

“Even though residents may have to hold onto some of their recyclables a little longer as we work through these times, I want to still encourage everyone to continue to recycle items like bottles and paper during their daily routines,” said Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari. “Recycling is still very important, even if we have to restrict how we do it for a little while.”

Information on all of the upcoming cancellations can be found on the department’s website, www.co.ocean.nj.us/OC/SolidWaste/ or on the Facebook page @OCSWM. Information is also noted on Recycle Coach, or via email for residents who are registered to the mailing list.