Mercer County, NJ Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- Mercer County Code § 5.04.030
- Max fine
- $200 per violation
- Covers
- Yard waste, cut vegetation, shrubs
- Applies to
- County-owned property and waterways only
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 2018-6, 9-27-2018
Summary
Mercer County prohibits dumping or leaving yard waste, cut vegetation, shrubs, or plants on any county-owned property unless placed in a designated receptacle, with the same rule extended to county waterways.
No person shall dump, deposit or leave yard waste, vegetation or shrubs or plants or other flora that have been cut down, garbage, bottles, broken glass, appliances, wastepaper, rubbish, trash or any other debris or foreign matter on County property, except in a properly provided receptacle designated for that purpose. No person shall throw, dump, deposit, leave or place any foreign debris or waste substance in any lake, river or lagoon within or bordering upon County property. No person shall dump, deposit, leave, throw, cast, lay or drop, discharge into, or allow to remain in a County waterway, or of any tributary brook, stream or storm sewer or drain flowing into said County waters, any substance, matter or thing, which may or shall result in the pollution of said waters.
Full Breakdown
Under County Code § 5.04.030, no person may dump, deposit, or leave yard waste, vegetation, or cut shrubs and plants, along with garbage, appliances, and other debris, anywhere on county property except in a receptacle the county has provided for that purpose. The same section separately bars dumping any debris or waste substance into a lake, river, or lagoon on or bordering county property, or into a county waterway, tributary, or storm drain in a way that could pollute it. The rule targets county parks, roads, and grounds; it does not set curbside collection rules, which are handled by Mercer's 12 municipalities.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 5.04.030 carries a fine up to $200 under N.J.S.A. 40:24-2. The county also reserves the right to restrict the violator's access to county parks, facilities, programs, and grounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I dump grass clippings or brush at a county park in Mercer County?
Does Mercer County pick up yard waste at the curb?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mercer County
Compare Mercer County to another location·View the New Jersey trash & recycling overview
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