Morris County, NJ Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)
Key Facts
- Backyard composting
- Allowed and encouraged
- Facilities
- Mount Olive & Parsippany
- Free compost/mulch
- 2 cubic yards/year/address
- Leaves/grass
- Mandatory recyclable in NJ
- Authority
- N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11
Summary
Backyard composting is allowed and encouraged. The Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority (MCMUA) runs two vegetative-waste compost facilities and gives residents free compost and mulch, up to 2 cubic yards per year per address.
FREE MATERIAL IS MADE AVAILABLE TO MORRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS WITH A LIMIT OF 2 CUBIC YARDS, PER YEAR, PER ADDRESS.
Full Breakdown
The MCMUA operates the county's official recycling and solid-waste program. It runs vegetative-waste compost facilities in Mount Olive (Waterloo Road) and Parsippany (500 West Hanover Avenue), where leaves, grass, and brush are recycled into compost and mulch. Residents may take free unscreened compost and double-ground wood mulch on a first-come, first-served basis, limited to 2 cubic yards per year per address. Backyard composting of yard and food scraps is permitted and encouraged statewide; New Jersey mandatory source-separation recycling under N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11 makes leaves a designated recyclable that must be kept out of the trash. Curbside leaf and yard-waste collection is run by each municipality.
Violations & Fines
Putting leaves/yard waste in with regular trash can violate municipal mandatory-recycling ordinances (fines set locally). Facility limits (2 cubic yards) are enforced by the MCMUA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can Morris County residents get free compost or mulch?
Can I put leaves and grass in my regular trash?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Morris County
Compare Morris County to another location·View the New Jersey landscaping rules overview
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