National Doorstep - The Valet Trash Service Experts

Fort Lee, Hackensack, Teaneck, Paramus, Englewood, Garfield and Bergen County property owners and community managers: simplify recycling compliance while boosting resident satisfaction. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling service aligns with the Bergen County Solid Waste Management Plan and each municipality’s mandatory recycling ordinance to reduce contamination and enhance NOI — all with a turnkey, inspector-friendly program.

Across Bergen County, recycling is mandatory for residential and multifamily properties. The County plan (administered by the Bergen County Utilities Authority) designates core recyclables that every municipality must cover, and local ordinances in Fort Lee, Hackensack, Teaneck, Paramus, Englewood, and Garfield layer on specific materials, separation rules, and fines. National Doorstep helps you design a resident-friendly program that matches those designations, so your properties stay compliant and attractive.

  • NOI & Property Value Lift: Cleaner, code-aligned waste and recycling areas improve curb appeal, reduce overflow, and support higher resident retention.
  • Resident Convenience & Cleanliness: Doorstep collection reduces cart room crowding, dumpster overflow, litter, and contamination — especially at peak move-in/move-out periods.
  • Compliance Simplified: Program design that matches Bergen County’s designated recyclables and each city’s ordinance, including multifamily-specific duties.
  • Code-Backed Design: Inspector-friendly container layouts, signage, resident education, and documentation to help you avoid ongoing code-enforcement actions.

At a Glance: Bergen County vs. Local Municipalities

Bergen County (Baseline Required Recyclables)

  • Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling for residential, commercial and institutional generators under the county solid waste management plan.
  • Core County-Designated Materials (Residential):
    • Corrugated cardboard
    • Newspaper and other paper / magazines / junk mail
    • Glass containers (bottles and jars)
    • Aluminum containers
    • Steel containers / heavy iron
    • Leaves and grass clippings
    • White goods and light iron (large appliances, scrap metal)
    • Plastic containers #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE)
    • Concrete / asphalt / brick / block (C&D debris)
  • Applicability Threshold: All households and multifamily communities that generate municipal solid waste in Bergen County.
  • Authoritative County Links:
    Bergen County Utilities Authority – Recycling Program
    “What to Recycle in Bergen County” (Official List)
    BCUA Recycling & Solid Waste Guide (PDF)

Fort Lee, Hackensack, Teaneck, Paramus, Englewood, Garfield

Designation of Recyclable Materials by Municipality

Below is a multifamily-focused summary of what each jurisdiction expects you and your residents to recycle. National Doorstep designs your valet recycling program to match these lists while keeping things simple for residents.

Bergen County – Countywide Baseline (Residential)

  • Corrugated cardboard
  • Newspaper
  • Other paper, magazines, catalogs, junk mail
  • Glass containers (bottles and jars)
  • Aluminum containers
  • Steel containers / heavy iron
  • White goods and light iron (large appliances, scrap metal)
  • Leaves
  • Grass clippings
  • Plastic containers #1 (PET/PETE) and #2 (HDPE)
  • Concrete, asphalt, brick, and block (construction & demolition debris)

Authoritative County Links:
BCUA – “What to Recycle in Bergen County” (Official List)
BCUA – Recycling Program Overview

Fort Lee – Borough Designated Recyclables

Fort Lee’s mandatory program (§ 356-23) designates the following as recyclable materials that residents and property owners must separate from solid waste:

  • Leaves
  • Newspapers and magazines
  • Corrugated cardboard and other cardboard
  • Glass containers
  • Aluminum (including cans and containers)
  • White goods (large household appliances and bulky metal items)
  • Fats and bones
  • Used motor oils
  • Ferrous scrap metal
  • Tin (ferrous) cans
  • Grass
  • High-grade paper
  • Construction and demolition debris (concrete, brick, block, scrap metal, asphalt, recyclable wood, etc.)
  • Mixed paper (magazines, catalogs, phone books, mail, office paper)
  • Plastic containers Type 1 (PET/PETE) and Type 2 (HDPE)

Authoritative Fort Lee Links:
Fort Lee Code – Chapter 356 Solid Waste (Article V Recycling)
Fort Lee Code – §356-23 Designation of Recyclable Materials
Fort Lee Garbage Collections, Recycling & Seasonal Debris

Hackensack – City Designated Recyclables

Hackensack defines “recyclable materials” to include the following, all of which must be separated at the property:

  • Newspapers
  • Corrugated cardboard
  • Commingled containers:
    • Glass bottles and jars
    • Tin and steel cans
    • Aluminum cans
    • Type 1 and Type 2 plastic bottles/containers
  • Junk mail / mixed paper (magazines, soft cover books, dry goods and food boxes, office paper, envelopes, etc.)
  • Grass clippings
  • Leaves
  • Electronic waste (TVs, radios, computers and small appliances that are not white goods)
  • Motor oil
  • Dry-cell household batteries
  • Small sealed lead-acid rechargeable batteries
  • Fluorescent bulbs

Authoritative Hackensack Links:
Hackensack Code – Collection and Recycling (Recyclable Materials & Rules)
Hackensack Code – Chapter 93 Garbage, Rubbish and Refuse (§93-9 Recyclables, §93-11 Penalties)
Hackensack Public Works – Sanitation & Recycling FAQs

Teaneck – Township Designated Recyclables (Residential Sector)

Teaneck’s “designated recyclables – residential sector” list requires residents and multifamily communities to separate at least:

  • Newspaper
  • Glass beverage containers
  • Aluminum cans
  • Ferrous scrap (metal items)
  • Leaves
  • White goods (large household appliances)
  • Tin cans
  • Grass
  • Construction and demolition debris (concrete, brick, tree parts, ferrous and non-ferrous metal, asphalt, corrugated cardboard where practical)
  • Corrugated cardboard
  • Mixed paper
  • Type 1 and Type 2 plastic containers

Authoritative Teaneck Links:
Teaneck Code – §19-1 Definitions (Designated Recyclables – Residential Sector)
Teaneck Code – Recycling Article (Separation & Collection)
Teaneck Code Search – Recycling Designations & Penalties

Paramus – Borough Designated Recyclables

Paramus’ recycling article (§ 379-15/16) establishes a program for the collection and separation of:

  • Used newspapers
  • Corrugated cardboard
  • Aluminum cans
  • Glass containers (clear, brown, and green)
  • Tin cans
  • Plastic beverage and bleach containers
  • Grass clippings
  • Brush (tree branches, limbs, and other tree waste)

Authoritative Paramus Links:
Paramus Code – Chapter 379 Solid Waste
Paramus Code – §379-15 Recycling Program & §379-16 Separation Required
Paramus – Full Code of Ordinances (General Penalties in Chapter 1)

Englewood – City Designated Recyclables

Englewood defines “recyclable material” broadly. For residents and multifamily properties, the required set includes:

  • Newspaper
  • Glass beverage containers
  • Aluminum cans
  • Ferrous scrap (metal items)
  • Leaves
  • White goods (large appliances)
  • Tin cans
  • Grass
  • Construction and demolition debris (concrete, brick, tree parts, non-ferrous and ferrous metal, asphalt, corrugated cardboard where practical)
  • Corrugated cardboard
  • Mixed paper
  • Types 1 and 2 plastic containers
  • Automobile batteries
  • Waste motor oil
  • High-grade office paper

Authoritative Englewood Links:
Englewood Code – Chapter 364 Solid Waste and Recycling
Englewood – Full Code of Ordinances (Including §364-19 Violations & Penalties)
Englewood Code Cross-Reference – Littering & Solid Waste

Garfield – City Designated Recyclables (Residential & Commercial)

Garfield’s § 249-8 lists items subject to mandatory recycling. For residential and commercial generators (including multifamily communities), designated recyclables include:

  • Newspaper
  • Corrugated cardboard
  • Glass beverage containers
  • High-grade office paper (especially for commercial/institutional users)
  • Aluminum cans
  • Ferrous scrap
  • Leaves
  • White goods (large appliances and bulky metal items)
  • Tin cans
  • Mixed paper (magazines, directories, wrapping paper, books, grocery bags, junk mail)
  • Grass
  • Construction and demolition debris (concrete, brick, tree parts, ferrous and non-ferrous metal, asphalt, corrugated cardboard where practical)
  • Type 1 and Type 2 plastic containers

Authoritative Garfield Links:
Garfield Code – Chapter 249 Recycling (§249-8 Designated Recyclables)
Garfield – General Legislation Table of Contents (Chapter 249 & §249-14 Violations)
Garfield Recycling Rules & Regulations (Resident Guide, PDF)

Fines & Penalties Snapshot (Multifamily Focus)

Property Manager Compliance Checklist (Bergen County Multifamily)

Task Action / Requirement Helpful Actions
☑ Confirm Jurisdiction & Ordinances Determine where your community sits and which ordinance applies:
• Fort Lee, Hackensack, Teaneck, Paramus, Englewood, Garfield: Check the local recycling chapter (eCode360) and confirm the designated materials list.
• Elsewhere in Bergen County: Start with the County “What to Recycle” list, then confirm if your municipality adds extra materials or rules for multifamily. 		• Save PDFs / screenshots of the applicable code sections in a compliance folder.
• Keep the Bergen County “What to Recycle” sheet handy as your baseline.
• Bookmark: BCUA Recycling Program
☑ Map Designated Materials to Your Property Compare your waste stream to the designated lists above:
• Paper: newspapers, magazines, office paper, junk mail, mixed paper.
• Containers: glass bottles/jars, aluminum cans, steel/tin cans, #1 and #2 plastics (and any locally allowed #5s).
• Organics & yard debris: leaves, grass clippings (where collected).
• Bulky & metals: white goods, ferrous scrap, high-grade office paper (for on-site offices).
• C&D debris: make sure renovations have a plan for recycling where required. 		• Build a simple matrix of “material → container → hauler stream”.
• Confirm your hauler is actually recycling each designated material, not landfilling it.
• Check your city’s DPW page (e.g., Fort Lee DPW, Hackensack DPW) for extra local rules.
☑ Containers, Corral Layout & Signage Provide clearly labeled recycling containers covering all required materials:
• Ensure commingled containers accept the correct glass, metal, and plastic numbers for your municipality.
• Provide separate space for cardboard and paper so it stays dry and marketable.
• Keep recycling clearly separated from trash to reduce contamination. 		• Use color-coded lids and large, pictorial signage for residents.
• Take photos of clean, well-labeled enclosures for your compliance file.
• Align sign language with your city’s official “What to Recycle” guides (BCUA or local PDFs).
☑ Resident Education & Communication Show residents exactly what to do:
• Provide move-in recycling guides tailored to your city’s designated list.
• Send at least semi-annual reminders (email, portal, print) with “Yes/No” lists.
• Focus messaging on convenience (“Doorstep pickup on these days”) and cleanliness, not just rules. 		• Archive PDFs, screenshots, and print copies of every resident communication.
• Include recycling rules in your house rules, welcome packets, and renewal letters.
• Link residents to official resources, like BCUA’s “What to Recycle” or your city’s recycling page.
☑ Track Service, Tonnage & Contamination Build an “inspection-ready” file:
• Current trash and recycling service agreements, invoices, and service days.
• Any recycling tonnage reports or weight tickets your hauler provides.
• Notes on contamination issues and corrective actions (extra signage, education, or enforcement). 		• Ask your hauler for quarterly recycling tonnage and contamination feedback.
• Use this documentation if you ever need to demonstrate good-faith compliance to an inspector.
• For county resources, bookmark: BCUA Solid Waste & Recycling Guide (PDF)
☑ Align with Valet Trash & Recycling Program Integrate National Doorstep’s valet service:
• Match doorstep collection rules to your city’s designated material list.
• Use our standardized resident instructions to reduce confusion and contamination.
• Build in regular feedback loops to catch problems early (overflow, wrong materials, etc.). 		• Schedule a walkthrough with our team to right-size containers and pickup frequency.
• Use our templated signage and flyers, branded for your community.
• Reference your local codes (eCode360 links above) when documenting your program design.

Need a fast compliance check in Fort Lee, Hackensack, Teaneck, Paramus, Englewood, Garfield, or anywhere in Bergen County? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Bergen County property — we’ll map your designated recyclables, right-size your containers, draft resident education, and prepare inspection-ready documentation so you can avoid fines and keep residents happy.

Interested in talking about how we can work together? Here's our contact info.

National doorstep pickup

EVERY DOOR. EVERY NIGHT.®️