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Jersey City, NJ Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Who must separate: All owners, tenants, occupants: residential & commercial
Materials list source: Hudson County District Solid Waste Mgmt Plan
Exemption path: Apply to municipal recycling coordinator, § 287-42(B)
New development duty: Recycling plan required for 3+ units, § 287-46
Enforcing agencies: DPS Quality of Life, Police, Hudson Regional Health

Summary

Jersey City requires every owner, tenant and occupant, residential or commercial, to separate designated recyclables from trash under § 287-42. Materials like cardboard, glass, mixed paper, metals and plastics #1/#2 must go out separately at the curb, though qualifying commercial generators can apply for an exemption.

It shall be mandatory of all persons who are owners, tenants, or occupants of residential and non-residential premises located within the municipality of the City of Jersey City to separate designated recyclable materials from all solid waste. Designated recyclable materials shall be deposited separated and apart from other solid waste generated by the owners, tenants, or occupants of such premises and shall be placed separately at the curb in a manner and on such days and times as may be hereinafter established by regulations promulgated by the City of Jersey City or the Jersey City Department of Public Works.

Source: NJ Mandatory Recycling ActView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 52).

Full Breakdown

" Designated recyclables are defined in § 287-41 by reference to the Hudson County District Solid Waste Management Plan and include aluminum, tin and steel; corrugated cardboard; glass containers; grass and brush; household batteries; leaves; masonry; mixed paper; motor oil and filters; newspaper; office paper; plastic containers #1 and #2; tires; vehicle batteries; and white goods. § 287-47 backstops the mandate by making it unlawful for haulers to collect solid waste that's visibly mixed with recyclables.

Violations & Fines

Failing to source-separate designated recyclables under § 287-42, or mixing recyclables into solid waste for collection under § 287-47, is enforced by the Division of Quality of Life, Division of Police and the Hudson Regional Health Commission per § 287-48, and is punishable under § 287-49 as provided in Chapter 1, § 1-25. Jersey City's general and solid-waste penalty provisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is recycling mandatory for homes and businesses in Jersey City?

Yes. § 287-42 requires every owner, tenant and occupant of residential and non-residential premises to separate designated recyclable materials from solid waste and set them out separately at the curb on the schedule the Department of Public Works establishes, unless a commercial exemption applies.

What materials does Jersey City require residents to recycle?

§ 287-41 defines designated recyclables by reference to the Hudson County District Solid Waste Management Plan, listing aluminum, tin and steel, corrugated cardboard, glass containers, mixed paper, newspaper, office paper, plastic containers #1 and #2, motor oil and filters, tires, vehicle batteries, white goods, and yard material like grass, brush and leaves.

Can a business get out of the recycling separation requirement?

Only through the narrow exemption in § 287-42(B): a commercial or institutional generator that already provides for recycling of all designated materials can apply to the municipal recycling coordinator, but the application must name the recycling vendor and commit to annual documentation of tonnage collected and recycled.

Sources & Official References

[1]Jersey City Code § 287-41, § 287-42, Recycling

Other rules in Jersey City

Collection ScheduleSome Restrictions Bulk Item DisposalSome Restrictions Recycling RulesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingHeavy Restrictions Illegal DumpingHeavy Restrictions Dumpster RulesSignificant Restrictions Bin Placement RulesSome Restrictions Pickup Rules & SchedulesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesHeavy Restrictions Parking Rules: EV ChargingSignificant Restrictions Parking Rules: Loading ZonesLight Restrictions

All Jersey City rules

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