Mandatory recycling in Ocean County under the NJ Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act (N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11 et seq.). Single-stream accepts paper, cardboard, glass, metals, and plastics #1-#2 (some towns accept #1-#7). Contaminated bins are tagged and skipped. LBI and shore towns have expanded summer recycling to handle tourist volumes. Ocean County's recycling rate targets 50% diversion.
Recycling in Ocean County is governed by the NJ Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act (N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11) which requires counties and municipalities to adopt recycling programs. The Ocean County Solid Waste Management Plan designates materials that must be source-separated. Residential curbside recycling covers: newspaper, mixed paper, corrugated cardboard, glass bottles and jars, aluminum and steel cans, and plastic containers #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE). Some Ocean County haulers accept #3-#7 but the NJ recycling market has tightened since China's 2018 import ban. Contamination with food, plastic bags, tanglers (hoses, wires), and Styrofoam (N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.127 bans polystyrene food containers statewide effective 2022) causes bin rejection. Multi-family properties of 4+ units must provide separate recycling under §N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.16. Commercial mandatory recycling under N.J.A.C. 7:26A. The Ocean County Recycling Center in Lakewood accepts items not picked up curbside: e-waste, batteries, cooking oil, scrap metal, textiles.
Contaminated bins tagged and skipped. Repeat residential contamination: $25 to $100 fine. Commercial non-compliance: $1,000 to $5,000 per N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.21. Polystyrene violation: $5,000 per N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.127.
Ocean County, NJ
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See how Ocean County's recycling requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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