Hartford, CT Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Hartford Municipal Code § 15-8 requires every occupant of a residence or multi-unit residence, and every person in control of a multi-unit residence, mixed-use property or commercial establishment, to separate recyclables from the rest of the solid waste generated on the premises. All individuals, commercial establishments, entities and properties must participate in the city's recycling program in accordance with rules and regulations set by the Department of Public Works. Section 15-1 defines "recyclables" as solid waste considered saleable or reusable by the city, listing corrugated cardboard, glass and metal food and beverage containers, leaves, newspapers, storage batteries, office paper and waste motor oil; the department must announce any change to that list at least 90 but not more than 180 days before it takes effect.

Enforcement runs through § 15-2(c): a solid waste collector who believes a property has failed to separate recyclables must notify the city's designated recycling agent, tag the property with a warning notice, and report violating buildings to the city on a monthly basis. The Director of Public Works or the Director of Health may refer a violation to the Division of Blight Remediation under Chapter 9, Article V. Under § 15-21(d)(1)-(2), residential properties that fail to separate recyclables are fined $50 for a first offense and $99 for each offense after that within a one-year period; commercial establishments are fined $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second, and $500 for every offense after that in the same one-year window.

A person cited under this chapter can appeal in writing to a citation hearing officer within 10 days of receiving the citation, under § 1-5. The city also reserves the right to refuse further collection, recyclables included, at a property that ignores the chapter's requirements.