Plainfield, NJ Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)

Section 17:11-16 of the Land Use chapter of the Plainfield Municipal Code, titled Refuse and recycling areas, says all uses must provide an area used for refuse and recyclable disposal collection. Containers, bins, dumpsters and storage facilities must be designed to reduce discernible odors and contain them within the storage facility area.

Nonresidential uses carry the heavier burden. Collection areas must be buffered and screened to minimize noise, odors, collection activity and views of bins and dumpsters, from inside the site and from adjacent properties and public rights-of-way. Buffering is a minimum four (4) foot wide area around every exposed side, and a minimum ten (10) foot area where the site is next to a residential use or zone. Screening is a minimum six (6) foot high masonry wall, solid wooden fence or accessory building with gates or doors and ramped access, with a minimum four (4) foot high evergreen hedge planted at the base along the sides and rear. In a parking lot, the facility must sit on a concrete pad separated from the parking area by a curb set back a minimum of two (2) feet from the lot's curb edge, and no refuse and recycling area can be located within a required principal building setback area. Storage capacity is sized from container size, frequency of pickup and projected generation rates, and every nonresidential use needs a temporary refuse and recyclable storage area inside the building, but not in a hallway or corridor needed for circulation or emergency access.

Residential uses are simpler. Every dwelling unit must have a temporary designated recyclable and refuse storage area in the kitchen, laundry room, basement, storage closet, attached garage or private rear yard, sized for the average accumulated volume per dwelling unit per period of collection, with a minimum size of six (6) square feet.

Separately, § 12:10-3 requires anyone who controls a refuse container or dumpster to keep it covered at all times and prevent spilling or overflowing. Section 12:10-4 excepts individual homeowner trash and recycling containers.