Irvington, NJ Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- First offense fine
- $500
- Fourth+ offense fine
- Min. $3,000
- Leaf season
- Sept 1 - Dec 31
- Drop-off site
- 406 Coit Street
- Commercial commingling fine
- $1,000/violation/day
Summary
Recycling is mandatory for every resident, business and institution in Irvington. Section 535-5B requires separating designated recyclables from the rest of the trash, and the Township will refuse to collect solid waste that has recyclables mixed in, with fines climbing from $500 to $3,000 per offense.
On or after the date fixed and promulgated by the certified recycling professional, it shall be mandatory for all persons, residential, industrial and commercial sectors to separate the recyclable materials as designated by the Township of Irvington for separate collection from all other solid waste produced in or disposed of by such residents or nonresidential premises. ... The Township of Irvington will not collect solid waste from any occupant or owner who includes newspapers, commingled material, leaves, hazardous waste, construction and demolition debris, computer or electronics, cardboard, yard waste, brush or tree parts or any of the aforementioned designated recyclable materials.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4996945; v39 updated 2026-07-13; through 07-13-2026).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 535, rewritten in its entirety in 2021 by Ord. No. MC 3750, requires source separation under Section 535-5B for all residential, industrial and commercial sectors once the certified recycling professional sets the effective schedule. Section 535-5D backs that up by directing the Township not to collect solid waste that includes newspapers, commingled material, leaves, hazardous waste, construction debris, computers, electronics, cardboard, yard waste or brush mixed in with regular trash. Designated recyclables under Section 535-1 include aluminum beverage containers and foil, PET plastic bottles, mixed residential paper, used motor oil, automobile lead-acid batteries and white goods like refrigerators and washing machines.
m. New multifamily, commercial or industrial developments must file a recycling plan with the Planning Board under Section 535-4, and commercial sectors must prove they have a private hauling and recycling contract under Section 535-8B. Housing and Building Construction, DPW, Health, Public Safety and the certified recycling professional can all inspect containers and open bags to check compliance under Section 535-5H.
Violations & Fines
Section 535-5H fines escalate for each violation: $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second, $2,000 for a third and a minimum $3,000 for a fourth, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense; those fines go into the Municipal Recycling Trust Fund. Commercial and industrial sectors that commingle trash face a flat $1,000 fine per violation under Section 535-2D, compounded daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is recycling mandatory in Irvington?
What happens if I mix trash and recyclables?
Who enforces Irvington's recycling rules?
Where can I drop off items the curbside program won't take?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Irvington
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Recycling Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Essex County handle recycling requirements.