Recycling in NJ is complicated and troublesome. While Recycling is required, County recycling programs vary with regards to what materials are accepted into the program. Your County recycling program can be found Here. Environmental commissions can help communities to reduce waste and reliance on foreign recycling.
Every County and Municipality should have a designated recycling coordinator who is responsible for the county or municipality recycling program. NJ has a number of laws regarding recycling. More information about recycling in NJ can be found here.
State Recycling and Solid Waste Disposal Facts
- New Jersey was the first state in the nation to establish a mandatory, statewide recycling law, with the Statewide Source Separation and Recycling Act of 1987.
- For 2023, New Jersey generated 21,715,349 total tons of solid waste (disposal and recycling).
- Municipalities and businesses reported 11,469,020 tons as recycled, and 10,246,329 tons of solid waste disposed.
- For municipal solid waste specifically, New Jersey recycled 3,442,632 tons and disposed of 6,077,402 tons, for a 36 percent municipal solid waste recycling rate — a two-percent decrease from 2022.
- New Jersey’s overall recycling rate has been trending downward: 55 percent in 2020, 54 percent in 2021, and 53 percent in 2023 — a reminder that recycling works, but sustaining it takes continued effort and investment.
- On average, each resident disposed of 3.5 pounds and recycled 2.1 pounds of waste per day.