Hackensack, NJ Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Division of Sanitation, Dept. of Public Works
- Minimum frequency
- At least once per week
- Private collector hours
- 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- First violation fine
- $100
- Fourth+ violation fine
- $1,000, up to 90 days jail
- Multifamily recycling registration
- Due January 10 annually
Summary
Hackensack's Division of Sanitation runs trash, recycling and garden refuse collection under City Code Chapter 93, and garbage pickup must happen no less than once per week on days the City Manager designates. Owners, agents and occupants share the duty to prepare materials correctly, and the city can refuse to collect from noncompliant properties before issuing a citation.
Division of Sanitation. ... The collection, removal and disposal of trash, rubbish, garden refuse, garbage and recyclable materials within the jurisdiction of the City of Hackensack shall be done by the Division of Sanitation of the City of Hackensack in accordance with the provisions of this article and only duly adopted supplemental rules and regulations, provisions of state law or state administrative rules and regulations and the ordinances of the City of Hackensack. ... Collection shall be on such days and at such times and hours as shall be designated by the City Manager except as otherwise set forth herein. The frequency of garbage collection shall be no less than once per week.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4592721; v20 updated 2026-01-06; through 01-06-2026).
Full Breakdown
The Division of Sanitation, within the Department of Public Works, is the enforcement authority for Chapter 93 under § 93-4C, and collection is declared a municipal function under § 93-6A. Commercial establishments, institutional establishments and multifamily properties with four or more units must register for the city's recycling program annually by January 10 under § 93-5B, register within 45 days of a certificate of occupancy if newly built under § 93-5C, and file a monthly recycling tonnage report by the 10th of each month under § 93-5D.
under § 93-6C and § 93-6D. Materials must be sorted into suitable receptacles, city-issued 35-, 65- or 95-gallon garbage carts, or watertight 32-gallon containers or tied bags for other materials, under § 93-3 and § 93-7C. Garbage collection frequency is set at no less than once per week under § 93-7D(1), and the city may refuse pickup of hazardous, improperly prepared, or excess materials, or tag a nonconforming receptacle and stop servicing it under § 93-7C(5).
Violations & Fines
A property owner who violates Chapter 93 faces escalating municipal court fines under § 93-11: $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second, $500 for a third (with up to 25 hours of recycling community service), and $1,000 for a fourth or later violation, which can also carry up to 90 days of community service or jail. Each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hackensack
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