How Paramus Handles Trash & Recycling: A Practical Guide
Every city handles trash & recycling a little differently. In Paramus, New Jersey, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.
Bin Placement Rules
Paramus Chapter 379 sets requirements for where residents must place garbage containers and how containers must be covered, drained, and accessible to DPW crews.
Key details: Code chapter: Chapter 379. Storage location: Side or rear of residence. Container type: Watertight and covered. Curb placement: On scheduled pickup day.
Containers left uncovered, overflowing, or stored out front outside collection windows may trigger DPW notices and ordinance violation summonses.
If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Paramus gives residents more flexibility on bin placement rules.
Recycling Requirements
Paramus Chapter 379 Article III mandates source separation and recycling of newspapers, cardboard, aluminum, glass, tin, and plastic for residents and businesses.
Key details: Code section: Chapter 379, Article III. Mandatory items: Paper, glass, metal, plastic. Multifamily threshold: 25 or more units. Drop-off option: Paramus Recycling Center.
Failure to recycle designated materials can result in warnings followed by municipal ordinance fines under Chapter 379.
Paramus is more permissive than most cities when it comes to recycling requirements. That said, there are still limits.
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Paramus DPW collects garbage twice weekly from residential properties under Chapter 379, with specific rules for container weight, bundling, and preparation.
Key details: Code chapter: Chapter 379, Article I. Pickup frequency: Twice weekly. Container weight limit: 50 pounds filled. Bundle weight limit: 60 pounds maximum.
Improperly prepared or overweight containers may not be collected, and repeat violations can result in summons and municipal court fines.
The rules around pickup rules & schedules in Paramus lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.
Bulk Item Disposal
Paramus Chapter 379 governs bulk pickup, including limits on items, appliance preparation, and a separate twice-monthly electronics collection program.
Key details: Code chapter: Chapter 379. Rug preparation: Cut, rolled, tied. Appliance rule: Doors must be removed. Electronics pickup: Twice monthly by request.
Non-conforming bulk items will be left at the curb, and repeated improper placement may result in ordinance violation fines.
The rules around bulk item disposal in Paramus lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.
The Bottom Line
Compared to many U.S. cities, Paramus gives residents more room on trash & recycling. 4 of the 4 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.
These rules come from Paramus's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.