Passaic, NJ Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Mandatory sorting
- Cardboard, paper, glass, plastic, tin, aluminum
- Paper bag limit
- 20 lbs loose, 50 lbs bundled
- Free tire pickup
- 4 per household/year, extra $2-$4 each
- Enforcement
- MUA, Police, Health Dept., DPW
- First-offense fine
- $100 to $250
Summary
Passaic requires every single-family household, apartment building, business and institution to source-separate designated recyclables from trash under Code of the City of Passaic § 230-2 and § 230-3. Residents sort cardboard, paper, glass, plastic, tin and aluminum into distinct streams, and mixed paper is capped at specific bag and bundle weights.
Residents of single-family units shall separate corrugated cardboard, high-grade and/or mixed paper, newspaper, glass and plastic containers, tin cans and aluminum beverage containers as follows: Corrugated cardboard shall be flattened, all staples removed (if any) and tied in bundles. High-grade and/or mixed paper and newspaper. Any combination of these recyclables can be placed neatly in brown paper bags not to exceed 20 pounds or compacted and tied securely in bundles not to exceed 50 pounds in weight. No paper products shall be placed in plastic bags. Glass, plastic, tin and aluminum. Any combination of these recyclables shall be contained in a reusable metal or plastic receptacle, occupant or owner supplied.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4978046; v41 updated 2026-07-01; through 07-01-2026).
Full Breakdown
" § 230-3A spells out how single-family residents must sort: corrugated cardboard flattened and bundled with staples removed; high-grade and mixed paper or newspaper placed loose in brown paper bags not exceeding 20 pounds, or tied in bundles not exceeding 50 pounds, with no paper allowed in plastic bags; and glass, plastic, tin and aluminum containers combined in a reusable owner-supplied receptacle. Multifamily buildings must designate a storage area and get the location approved by the Municipal Recycling Coordinator (§ 230-3B). Commercial establishments and institutions separate cardboard, high-grade paper, glass, aluminum and tin under § 230-2C and D, and residents get four free curbside passenger-car tires per year, with additional tires costing $2 to $4 each under § 230-3A(5).
Recyclables placed at the curb become city or authorized-agent property, and unauthorized removal is a separate offense under § 230-7. The Municipal Utilities Authority, Police Department, Health Department and Department of Public Works enforce Chapter 230 through random inspections run at least once per month per collection route (§ 230-8).
Violations & Fines
§ 230-9 sets escalating fines for any person, firm or corporation that fails to comply: a minimum $100 (up to $250) for a first violation, $250 to $750 for a second, and $750 up to $1,000 plus as much as 90 days in the county jail for a third or subsequent violation, with each occurrence a separate offense. Unauthorized curbside removal draws its own $100–$1,000 fine or up to 90 days' imprisonment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must Passaic residents recycle?
Is recycling actually mandatory in Passaic?
How many tires can I put out for free?
What happens if I don't separate recyclables?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Passaic
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Recycling Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Passaic County handle recycling requirements.