Recycling Centers in New Jersey
Find local recycling drop-off locations across New Jersey. Browse by city to see nearby facilities with hours and contact information.
Recycling in New Jersey
New Jersey lists 177 recycling centers across 114 cities, spanning electronics processors, scrap yards, household hazardous waste facilities, and municipal drop-offs. New Jersey was the first state in the nation to mandate recycling, passing the Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act in 1987 (N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11), which requires all residents, businesses, and institutions to separate recyclables from trash — with fines of $25–$500 per violation for residents and $50–$1,000 per day for businesses. The state does not have a bottle-deposit law. New Jersey's Electronic Waste Management Act of 2008 (fully implemented January 1, 2011) prohibits covered electronic devices — desktop and personal computers, monitors, portable computers, desktop printers, desktop fax machines, and televisions — from being sent to landfills or incinerators statewide. Manufacturers must register annually with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and fund collection and recycling at no cost to consumers. New Jersey achieved an overall recycling rate of 53% in 2023, among the highest in the nation.
Recycling infrastructure spans the state's dense urban corridor and shore communities. Trenton lists the most centers at 13, followed by Newark with 11. Shore-area hubs include Tinton Falls with 5 centers and Toms River and Brick Township with 3 each. Inland communities such as Jackson Township (4) and Elizabeth (4) and Jersey City (3) also feature multiple options.
New Jersey's mandatory recycling law means most residents have curbside collection; the NJDEP requires each municipality to provide collection for at least three designated recyclables. For electronics, every county must maintain at least one permanent collection site for covered devices. Neighboring states include New York to the north and Pennsylvania to the west and south. The NJDEP Division of Sustainable Waste Management administers the recycling programs and publishes annual recycling tonnage data.
Top Cities by Number of Centers
All Cities in New Jersey
Recycling in New Jersey — FAQ
Does New Jersey have a bottle deposit law?
No. New Jersey has never enacted a bottle bill or container-deposit system, despite being the first state with a mandatory recycling law. Beverage containers are recycled through municipal curbside programs required under the 1987 Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act.
What electronics are banned from New Jersey landfills?
Under the Electronic Waste Management Act (effective January 1, 2011), it is illegal to dispose of covered electronic devices in New Jersey landfills or incinerators. Covered devices include desktop and personal computers, computer monitors, portable (laptop) computers, desktop printers, desktop fax machines, and televisions. Take these items to a NJDEP-registered collector; many are available in Trenton, Newark, and Tinton Falls.
Is recycling mandatory in New Jersey?
Yes. Under the Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act of 1987 — the first such law in the country — all New Jersey residents, businesses, and institutions are legally required to separate designated recyclables from trash. Municipalities must provide curbside collection of at least three recyclable materials. Non-compliance fines apply to both residents and businesses.
Where are the largest recycling hubs in New Jersey?
Trenton leads with 13 centers and Newark lists 11. Tinton Falls offers 5, and Jackson Township and Elizabeth each list 4. These cities provide the broadest mix of electronics recyclers, scrap facilities, and hazardous waste drop-offs.