East Orange, NJ Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)

City Code § 156-18, part of the Article II Recycling scheme adopted by Ordinance No. 10-2012 and amended February 23, 2015 by Ordinance No. 7-2015, spells out the manner in which recyclables must be collected. Under Subsection A, containers and brown paper bags of recyclable material must be placed, before collection, between the curb and sidewalk (or as near the street as safely possible where there is no curb and sidewalk), positioned so the collector can reach them without obstructing pedestrians. Owners or occupants must keep receptacles clean and in safe handling condition.

Materials cannot go out before 5:00 p.m. on the day immediately preceding collection, and any container must be removed from the curbside no later than 7:00 p.m. on the day of collection. Subsection B separately requires that all receptacles or dumpsters used for recyclables be kept clean and in a safe manner. These placement mechanics work alongside § 156-17's mandatory separation duty and § 156-16's designated materials list, and § 156-19 places responsibility for compliance on the property owner, with multifamily owners or management required to set up and maintain the recycling system and to issue collection rules to new tenants on arrival and every six months thereafter.

Violations of the recycling article, including improper placement or timing under § 156-18, are punishable under § 156-30 by a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $1,000, enforced by the Code Enforcement Official, Health Department, Police Department, Recycling Coordinator, Property Maintenance Official, Housing Officer and Essex County Department of Health per § 156-29.