Hoboken, NJ Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Under City Code Chapter 151, the Department of Environmental Services runs a mandatory source-separation program covering commingled recycling, cardboard and paper, leaves, yard waste, white goods, electronic waste, ferrous metal, lead acid batteries, tires, untreated wood, masonry and used motor oil, per Section 151-2. Section 151-3 makes separation mandatory for every owner, tenant or occupant of a dwelling unit, business, commercial or industrial establishment, or public, private or governmental institution, unless physically disabled. Commingled recycling and cardboard/paper recycling must be kept as separate dual streams and set curbside no earlier than 9:00 p.m. in the limited business area or 7:30 p.m. elsewhere on collection days, in lidded containers holding between twenty and forty-eight gallons.

Motor oil, antifreeze, lead acid batteries, masonry and untreated wood are not picked up curbside; residents must deliver them to the Hoboken Recycling Center or an authorized recycler instead. Property owners must supply and maintain the storage containers, display "Hoboken Recycles" decals, and give occupants seven-day access to them; multifamily managers must reissue collection rules to new tenants at move-in and every six months after. Commercial and institutional properties must also provide recycling receptacles next to any litter receptacle and report annual recycling tonnage to the Recycling Coordinator, and food service establishments must recycle grease and keep records for inspection.

Section 151-13 authorizes the Police Division, DES Sanitation Inspectors and Code Enforcement Officials, the Recycling Coordinator, the Housing Officer, the Hudson Regional Health Commission and the Hudson County Improvement Authority to post warning stickers, mail violation notices or issue summonses after a sight or sound inspection of waste bags.