Fairfield, CT Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)

Fairfield Town Code § 84-12 defines recyclable materials as "any discarded materials which are mandated by the state to be recycled, as well as other items which are deemed recyclable by the Solid Waste and Recycling Commission." That definition ties the local list directly to Connecticut's state mandate while letting the Commission add categories locally. Section 84-16 then bars mixing streams: persons with custody of residential, industrial or business garbage in Fairfield "shall not dispose of recyclables along with nonrecyclables at the transfer station," and failure to exclude recyclables from other waste may result in suspension of disposal privileges or a fine, or both, as set in Commission regulations.

Section 84-13.A requires recyclable materials to be placed in containers approved by the Director and kept separate from other garbage or rubbish, reinforcing the same separation rule at the point of collection. Because the actual list of covered materials and the exact fine amount for improper mixing are delegated to Commission regulation rather than fixed in the ordinance text, residents should check the Commission's published regulations under § 84-4 for the current item list and penalty schedule.