Trenton, NJ Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Legal basis
- NJ Statewide Mandatory Source Separation & Recycling Act
- Program adopted
- Mercer County Recycling Program
- Enforcement agency
- Mercer County Improvement Authority
- First violations
- 3 warnings, garbage w/ recyclables uncollected
- Resident notice frequency
- At least every 6 months
Summary
Trenton runs its recycling program under the New Jersey Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act and has formally adopted the Mercer County Recycling Program as its official municipal system, with the Mercer County Improvement Authority enforcing and the City issuing warnings before penalties.
This article is adopted pursuant to the authority granted by the New Jersey Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act, the Mercer County Recycling System, as set forth in Ordinance No. 88-33 passed by the Board of Chosen Freeholders of the County of Mercer, State of New Jersey, as amended by County Ordinance 89-19... The City of Trenton hereby adopts the Mercer County Recycling Program as its official municipal recycling program. ... Three warnings with cessation in collection of garbage containing recyclable materials until recyclables are removed from garbage; thereafter Penalties as provided in Chapter 1, Article III, General Penalty, per day of violation, depending upon the extent and circumstances of the violation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4853025; v21 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
Trenton's recycling article is adopted under the authority of the New Jersey Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act and the Mercer County Recycling System established by County Ordinance No. 88-33, as amended by County Ordinance 89-19, and the Mercer County Solid Waste Management Plan (§ 248-10). The City formally adopts the Mercer County Recycling Program as its own official municipal recycling program (§ 248-11). Enforcement of the article belongs to the Mercer County Improvement Authority rather than a city department (§ 248-23), though the City's Recycling Coordinator must notify residential, commercial and institutional occupants at least once every six months of recycling opportunities, collection schedules and source-separation requirements (§ 248-20). The Director of Public Works must also inform the Improvement Authority annually, in writing, how that notice was given (§ 248-20B).
Violations & Fines
A resident found violating the recycling article first gets three warnings, during which the City stops collecting garbage that contains recyclable materials until the recyclables are removed. After three warnings, violators face penalties under Chapter 1, Article III's General Penalty, assessed per day of violation and scaled to the extent and circumstances of the violation (§ 248-24).
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Trenton
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