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

§ 287-43 of the Jersey City Code, "Collection of recyclable materials," sets the mechanics for how curbside recycling actually reaches the collector, a distinct provision from the mandatory-separation requirement in § 287-42. Receptacles containing recyclable materials must be placed between the curb and the sidewalk, or, where there's no curb and sidewalk, as near the street as is safe, positioned so the collector can reach them without blocking pedestrians. Timing is specific and different from the general refuse rule in § 287-8: recycling containers may go out any time after 7:00 p.m. on the evening before the scheduled collection day, but no later than 10:00 p.m. that same evening, and any container left at the curb must be removed by no later than 10:00 a.m. the following morning after collection.

Subsection B folds container maintenance into the city's separate Health Code, requiring receptacles and dumpsters used for recyclables to be maintained consistent with that code's sanitation standards. § 287-44 makes the property owner responsible for compliance at residential buildings, and requires management at multi-family and high-rise developments to set up and run the recycling system, including issuing collection rules to new tenants when they move in and again every six months during their tenancy. § 287-45 imposes parallel duties on commercial, institutional and industrial properties, including annual reporting to the municipal recycling coordinator and, for food service establishments, a separate requirement to recycle cooking grease and keep records for inspection.