New Jersey Statewide Rule

New Jersey Mandatory Recycling Law Applies in Every Municipality

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across New Jersey (2026)

Key Facts

Statute: N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11 et seq.
Required streams: Three or more materials
Coverage: All NJ residents and businesses
State penalty: Up to $1,000/day (commercial)

Last verified: September 5, 2026Source: Justia Law

Summary

The New Jersey Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act requires every household and business in the state to source-separate at least three designated recyclables from solid waste.

3. a. Each county shall prepare and adopt a district recycling plan to implement the State Recycling Plan goals. Each district recycling plan shall be adopted as an amendment to the district solid waste management plan required pursuant to the provisions of the "Solid Waste Management Act," P.L.1970, c.39 (C.13:1E-1 et seq.) and subject to the approval of the department. Each district recycling plan may be modified after adoption pursuant to a procedure set forth in the adopted plan as approved by the department. b. Each district recycling plan required pursuant to this section shall include, but need not be limited to: (1) Designation of a district recycling coordinator; (2) Designation of the recyclable materials to be source separated in each municipality which shall include, in addition to leaves, at least three other recyclable materials sep

Source: Justia LawView official code

Full Breakdown

Under N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11 et seq., every county must adopt a recycling plan and every municipality must enact an ordinance requiring source separation of mandated materials, including newspaper, glass, aluminum and steel cans, corrugated cardboard, and leaves. Generators may not place these materials in the trash. The Department of Environmental Protection oversees implementation and counties certify municipal compliance. Local governments cannot opt out, though they may add materials to the mandatory list.

Violations & Penalties

Municipal recycling ordinances set escalating fines for repeat offenses; state penalties under N.J.S.A. 13:1E-9 reach up to $500 per day for residents and $1,000 per day for commercial establishments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a New Jersey town stop curbside recycling?

No. State law requires every municipality to provide for source-separated collection of designated recyclables; towns can change collection methods but cannot eliminate the program.

What materials must residents separate from trash?

At minimum: newspaper, glass containers, aluminum and steel cans, corrugated cardboard, and leaves; counties and towns may designate additional items such as plastics or electronics.

Sources

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