Every business in New Jersey is required by law to separate recyclables from its trash. The rules come from a 1987 state law, but the exact list of materials is set by your county and enforced by your town, which is why so many businesses aren’t sure what applies to them.
This guide explains how the rules work, what Hunterdon County businesses must recycle, and whether New Jersey’s newer food waste law covers you.
The law behind it
The New Jersey Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act (N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11 et seq.) was signed in 1987. It requires recycling in the residential, commercial and institutional sectors. Under it, each county wrote a recycling plan and each municipality adopted an ordinance based on that plan. Businesses must source separate and recycle the materials named in their municipal ordinance. (NJDEP)
In practice, that means three layers:
- State: sets the requirement that businesses recycle.
- County: decides which materials are mandatory.
- Municipality: writes the local ordinance, collects reports and enforces it.
NJDEP itself notes that enforcement in the commercial sector “varies throughout the state,” so a business can go years without hearing about it, until a hauler, landlord or inspector asks.
What Hunterdon County businesses must recycle
Hunterdon County’s business recycling guide lists the materials every business and institution in the county must recycle. Beyond the original core list of newspaper, glass, aluminum cans, office paper and cardboard, it adds: (Hunterdon County)
- Other paper, magazines and junk mail
- Plastic containers: PETE #1 (soda and water bottles) and HDPE #2 (milk, water and detergent jugs)
- Steel cans
- White goods and light iron, such as appliances, shelving, file cabinets, desks and steel drums
- Anti-freeze and used motor oil
- Lead-acid batteries from vehicles and equipment
- Scrap tires, which must go to an NJDEP-approved facility
If your business is in another county, the list will differ. Union County’s list, for example, includes masonry. Check your county’s solid waste plan or ask your municipal recycling coordinator.
Reporting: the step most businesses miss
Hunterdon County asks businesses to report their recycling activity to their municipality each year. The county’s business page lists the 2025 annual tonnage report as due March 31, 2026. (Hunterdon County) Deadlines and forms vary by county, so confirm yours.
The simplest way to stay ready is to have your hauler provide tonnage reports. Integrity sends customers monthly reports by material, which can be added up for the annual filing.
Does the NJ food waste law apply to you?
New Jersey’s Food Waste Recycling Law (P.L. 2020, c.24) took effect October 14, 2021. It covers “large food waste generators”: food wholesalers and distributors, industrial food processors, supermarkets, resorts, conference centers, banquet halls, restaurants, schools, religious institutions, hospitals, prisons, military installations and casinos that produce at least 52 tons of food waste a year. (NJDEP FAQ)
Key points from NJDEP’s FAQ:
- The 52-ton threshold is per location, not per company.
- Covered generators within 25 road miles of an authorized food waste recycling facility must separate food waste for recycling.
- Those farther away aren’t required to separate, but still have recordkeeping and reporting duties.
- A waiver can be requested if recycling costs at least 10% more than disposal.
- Penalties are $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second, and $1,000 for each offense after that.
A simple compliance checklist
- Get a copy of your municipal recycling ordinance and your county’s mandated materials list.
- Make sure each mandated material has a container and a pickup.
- Ask your hauler for monthly tonnage reports by material.
- File your annual recycling report with your municipality on time.
- If you handle food, estimate your annual food waste tons per location.
- Train staff on what goes where, and label every bin.
Compliance can pay for itself
Recycling that’s set up well often costs less than trash. Cardboard, paper, metals and some plastics have resale value, and Integrity pays competitive rebates on recyclable commodities. A free waste audit shows what you’re throwing away, what you’re required to recycle, and where the savings are.
Book a free waste audit or call (866) 651-4797.
Frequently asked questions
Is commercial recycling mandatory in New Jersey? Yes. Since 1987, state law has required businesses and institutions to separate and recycle the materials named in their municipal ordinance.
Who enforces business recycling in NJ? Your municipality enforces its ordinance, and counties and NJDEP oversee the system. Food waste rules are enforced by NJDEP and delegated county agencies.
What does a Hunterdon County business have to recycle? Cardboard, office and other paper, newspaper, glass, aluminum and steel cans, #1 and #2 plastic containers, appliances and light iron, anti-freeze, motor oil, vehicle batteries and tires.
