Hackensack and central Bergen County property owners and community managers: avoid costly recycling violations while giving residents the clean, convenient disposal experience they expect. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling program is engineered to align with City of Hackensack Code Chapter 93 (Collection and Recycling) and the Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) “What to Recycle in Bergen County” list, so your communities stay inspector-friendly and resident-approved.
Within the City of Hackensack, all persons and occupants must separate designated recyclable materials from other refuse, keep them apart for collection, and set them out only on days established by the Department of Public Works under Chapter 93, Article II. The BCUA requires every municipality in Bergen County to recycle a core set of materials (corrugated, newspaper, glass, metals, certain plastics, leaves, grass, etc.), and Hackensack’s ordinance adds local preparation rules, container standards, and escalating fines for non-compliance.
- Protect NOI & Asset Value: Reduce risk of escalating recycling fines and service refusals by aligning your waste rooms and resident instructions with Hackensack’s Chapter 93 and the BCUA material list.
- Resident-First Convenience: Doorstep collection that keeps residents out of crowded enclosures, reduces trips to the curb, and supports renewals and reviews.
- Code-Smart Design: Container layouts, labels, and set-out rules designed around City of Hackensack sanitation & recycling standards and BCUA guidance.
- Hands-Off Compliance: We handle hauler coordination, resident education, and documentation so your team can focus on leasing and operations.
At a Glance: City of Hackensack vs. Bergen County Baseline
City of Hackensack (Inside City Limits)
- Mandate Type: Mandatory source separation and recycling for all residents, multifamily communities, and other generators under Chapter 93, Article II.
- Applicability Threshold (Multifamily): Applies to all dwellings and other premises. Larger apartment buildings, garden apartments, condominiums and other multiple dwellings use containers or dumpsters approved by the Division of Sanitation; buildings with more than four units are subject to special set-out limits for heavy trash and must maintain adequate receptacles for recyclable materials.
- Key Owner/Property Manager Duties:
- Provide a sufficient number of suitable receptacles for garbage and recyclables on the premises.
- Ensure recyclable materials are separated from other refuse and set out only on designated collection days.
- Keep receptacles covered, clean, and stored in approved locations; use screened enclosures or dumpsters where required.
- Prevent commingling of recyclables with garbage; non-compliant set-outs may be refused by city crews.
- Encourage residents to promptly report unauthorized dumping or materials placed outside their property without authorization.
- Enforcement: Hackensack may refuse collection to non-compliant properties and issues written notices of non-compliance. Continued violations trigger escalating fines, community service in the recycling program, and potential jail time under §93-11.
- Key Hackensack Links:
City of Hackensack Code – Chapter 93, Collection and Recycling
Hackensack Public Works – Sanitation & Recycling
City of Hackensack – Official Site
Bergen County & Central Municipalities
- Mandate Type: Mandatory recycling for residential, commercial and institutional generators through the Bergen County Solid Waste Management Plan and the BCUA’s “What to Recycle in Bergen County” requirements.
- Countywide Baseline Materials (Residential):
- Corrugated cardboard
- Newspaper
- Other paper / magazines / junk mail
- Glass containers
- Aluminum containers
- Steel containers / heavy iron
- White goods and light iron (large appliances, scrap metal)
- Leaves and grass clippings
- Plastic containers (PETE #1 and HDPE #2 only)
- Concrete, asphalt, brick and block (C&D debris)
- Applicability Threshold: Applies to all households and multifamily communities in Bergen County; each municipality may add additional designated materials or special preparation rules.
- Program Structure: All 70 Bergen County municipalities operate curb-side residential recycling programs and many also run local recycling depots for overflow materials and special items.
- Key County & BCUA Links:
BCUA – What to Recycle in Bergen County
BCUA – Recycling & Source Reduction
Bergen County Utilities Authority – Recycling
Hackensack & Central Bergen Multifamily Recycling Mandates
Hackensack operates a mandatory recycling ordinance with clear separation, preparation, and penalty rules. Central Bergen municipalities (Fort Lee, Teaneck, Englewood, Paramus, Garfield, etc.) follow the same BCUA baseline list and layer on their own mandatory-recycling ordinances and fine structures. National Doorstep designs your program to match both the county material designations and the Hackensack-specific rules that apply where your community is located.
| Jurisdiction | Apartment Recycling Mandate? | Notes for Owners & Property Managers |
|---|---|---|
| Hackensack (City) | Yes – Mandatory recycling ordinance |
All persons and occupants must separate recyclable materials from garbage and set them out only on designated days. Recyclables (glass bottles and jars, aluminum and tin cans, plastic bottles, newspapers, cardboard, etc.) must be kept separate from refuse; commingling can result in refusal of collection. Larger multifamily buildings may be required to use dumpsters and must maintain adequate containers for both refuse and recyclables. Non-compliance after written notice triggers escalating fines under §93-11. Key local links: Hackensack Code – Collection & Recycling (Ch. 93) · Public Works – Sanitation & Recycling |
| Central Bergen Municipalities (e.g., Fort Lee, Teaneck, Englewood, Paramus, Garfield) | Yes – Local mandatory recycling ordinances |
Each municipality adopts the Bergen County baseline list and adds its own definitions, schedules, and enforcement. For example, many central Bergen towns designate newspaper, mixed paper, cardboard, commingled containers (glass, metal, plastics #1 and #2), leaves, grass and white goods for mandatory recycling and back this with fines that can reach up to $2,000 per offense plus possible community service or jail under New Jersey’s general municipal penalty standards. Property managers should confirm the exact chapter and designated list for their town and ensure on-site signage and instructions match. Key regional links: BCUA – What to Recycle · BCUA – Recycling Programs |
| Elsewhere in Bergen County | Yes – County baseline + local ordinance |
All Bergen County municipalities must, at minimum, require residents to recycle the BCUA-designated materials. Some towns add extra categories (electronics, brush, specific plastics, etc.) or stricter set-out rules. Even where local enforcement practices vary, multifamily communities are expected to provide adequate recycling access, keep enclosures clean, and prevent overflow and illegal dumping. Key county links: What to Recycle in Bergen County · BCUA – Recycling Home |
Hackensack Fines & Penalties Snapshot (Multifamily Focus)
-
Service Refusal for Non-Compliance:
Under Chapter 93, the Division of Sanitation may refuse to collect garbage or recyclables from any person or property that fails to comply with the separation, container, or set-out requirements of the ordinance. -
Escalating Recycling Fines – §93-11:
After written notice of non-compliance, violations of Hackensack’s recycling requirements are subject to the following escalating fine schedule:
• First violation: $100 fine, plus court collection costs.
• Second violation: $250 fine, plus court costs.
• Third violation: $500
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