Paramus, NJ — Mandatory Recycling + Electronics, Motor Oil, Tires & Bergen County HHW Resources
Paramus recycling compliance:
New Jersey's
Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act,
N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11 et seq. (SSRA)
establishes the statewide mandatory recycling framework.
Paramus implements local requirements through Borough Code Chapter 379, Article III,
which requires owners, lessees and occupants of premises in Paramus to
separate designated recyclable materials from the ordinary solid-waste stream.
[1][15]
Paramus also operates a
Borough Recycling Center at the DPW Complex on Carlough Drive
for authorized resident drop-off materials.
[2]
Important multifamily distinction:
the municipal Recycling Center is a resident-facing Borough resource requiring proof of residency.
It should not be characterized as an unrestricted apartment-property, contractor or commercial
recycling-overflow destination.
Statewide legal foundation: New Jersey's Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act (SSRA) (P.L.1987, c.102) establishes the State's mandatory source-separation and recycling framework. The Act provides the statewide foundation for county recycling planning and municipal recycling programs. [15]
Municipal implementation — N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.16: each municipality must establish and implement a municipal recycling program. For Paramus properties, the SSRA is therefore the statewide legal baseline, while Paramus Chapter 379, Article III and applicable Bergen County requirements provide the more specific local source-separation, development, condominium, direct-disposal and enforcement rules. [1][16]
Multifamily significance: the statewide Act does not replace Paramus's 25+ new multifamily development trigger, condominium recycling-plan requirements, Recycling Center eligibility rules, Article III penalty schedule, or current Borough collection procedures.
Private / alternate collection: use of a private collector or other lawful collection arrangement does not make source separation optional. Management should document the property's authorized collector, accepted recyclable materials, lawful downstream recycling pathway and any Borough approval or reporting requirement that applies.
Important limitation: the SSRA does not create one universal apartment recycling-container configuration, one statewide commingled-bin list or a universal daily recycling pickup requirement. Property managers should apply the SSRA together with Paramus Article III, applicable Bergen County requirements, NJDEP rules, property approvals and the property's actual municipal/private collection system.
Property Manager Compliance Shortcut — Paramus
- NJ SSRA statewide baseline: apply N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11 et seq. as the statewide mandatory source-separation and recycling framework, then apply Paramus Chapter 379, Article III, applicable Bergen County requirements and the property's actual collection arrangement. [15][16]
- Mandatory separation: owners, lessees and occupants must separate Paramus-designated recyclables from solid waste. [1]
- 25+ new multifamily units: qualifying development proposals must incorporate recycling provisions. [1]
- Condominiums: must provide a separate collection method and submit recycling plans to the Borough Recycling Coordinator for approval. [1]
- Recycling penalties: Paramus Article III has its own recycling-specific written-warning and fine schedule. [3]
- Resident Recycling Center: proof of residency is required; apartment management should confirm eligibility before transporting property-generated materials. [2]
- Construction / renovation debris: Borough DPW does not collect construction, renovation or demolition debris through ordinary municipal service. [4]
- HHW: BCUA provides scheduled residential events and alternative disposal information; businesses have separate pre-registration and fee requirements. [5][6]
Paramus Mandatory Recycling — Chapter 379, Article III
New Jersey statewide baseline:
the Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act,
N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11 et seq. establishes New Jersey's statewide recycling framework,
while municipal recycling programs implement that framework locally.
[15][16]
Paramus local mandate:
Paramus §379-16 makes recycling separation mandatory for
owners, lessees and occupants of premises in the Borough.
[1]
Article III identifies materials including:
newspaper, corrugated cardboard, aluminum cans, glass, tin cans,
plastic, grass and brush.
[1]
The Borough's current collection instructions separately establish how individual material streams
must be prepared and collected.
Property-manager operating principle:
do not assume every legally recyclable material belongs in one apartment recycling container.
Match resident instructions to the property's actual approved municipal/private collection configuration
and current DPW material-preparation requirements.
New Multifamily Development & Condominium Requirements
State + local development framework:
the SSRA establishes the statewide recycling baseline, while Paramus §379-17 imposes
the more specific development and condominium recycling requirements described below.
[15]
Paramus §379-17 expressly requires proposals for:
• 50 or more new single-family units;
• 25 or more new multifamily units; or
• 1,000 square feet or more of commercial/industrial space
to incorporate recycling provisions.
[1]
The same section separately provides that
condominiums must provide a separate method of collection
and submit recycling plans to the Borough Recycling Coordinator for approval.
[1]
Property-manager / developer action:
preserve the approved recycling plan and collection configuration with the property's
development and operating records.
Paramus Recycling Penalties — Use the Article III Schedule
Paramus Chapter 379 contains a
specific recycling-enforcement schedule.
Because Article III already provides its own penalties, the Borough's general $2,000 Code maximum
should not be advertised as the ordinary Paramus recycling fine.
[3][7]
Noncommercial Article III violations:
Initial violation: written warning
First subsequent conviction: $25
Second: $50
Third: $100
Thereafter: up to $500
[3]
Commercial-user violations under §379-21:
Initial violation: written warning
First subsequent conviction: $50
Second: $100
Third: $200
Thereafter: up to $500
[3]
Enforcement responsibility under Article III rests with the
Paramus Recycling Coordinator and/or designee,
coordinated with DPW and other Borough agencies.
[3]
Paramus Recycling Center — Resident Drop-Off Resource
Facility:
Paramus Recycling Center — DPW Complex
Address:
Carlough Drive, Public Works Building, Paramus, NJ 07652
DPW:
201-265-2100 ext. 3100
Proof of residency is required.
[2]
Current Recycling Center hours:
Monday: 7:00 AM–3:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM–3:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM–6:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM–3:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM–3:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Sunday / holidays: Closed
[2]
Current accepted categories include:
cardboard, clean usable clothing, commingled bottles/cans/plastic containers,
computers/electronics, metal, newspaper, used oil and tires.
[2]
Commercial / institutional qualification:
§379-17 requires commercial and institutional entities to obtain prior approval from the
Paramus Recycling Coordinator before using the direct-disposal option described in Article III.
That local approval requirement operates within the broader statewide SSRA framework and should not be
treated as a blanket authorization for all property-generated material.
[1][15]
Recycling Overflow — Correct Property-Manager Response
Paramus residents may use the Recycling Center for authorized materials subject to
proof-of-residency and current site rules.
[2]
However, recurring apartment recycling overflow should not be solved by treating the municipal
Recycling Center as an unrestricted property overflow facility.
Property management should instead review:
• recycling-container capacity;
• cardboard volume;
• collection frequency;
• contamination;
• resident participation;
• private/Borough collection configuration; and
• downstream recycling service.
If offsite municipal drop-off is being considered for property-generated material,
confirm eligibility with the Paramus Recycling Coordinator first.
Electronics — Recycling Center or Scheduled Curbside Pickup
Paramus currently provides two resident-facing electronics pathways:
[4]
1. Recycling Center drop-off
during current operating hours; or
2. Scheduled curbside collection
approximately twice per month by calling
201-265-2100 ext. 3100.
[4]
Paramus identifies electronics including items such as TVs, computer equipment,
printers, cell phones, copy machines, stereos and similar equipment.
[4]
New Jersey separately restricts disposal of covered electronic devices through ordinary solid waste.
[8]
Property-manager caution:
confirm eligibility before directing property-owned, maintenance-department or contractor-generated electronics
into a resident municipal program.
Used Motor Oil — Recycling Center Only
Paramus DPW's current disposal guide states that
used motor oil cannot be placed in the recycling OTTO container
and must instead be brought to the Paramus Recycling Center.
[4]
Ordinary Borough garbage/trash collection also excludes motor oil and similar petroleum products.
[9]
Multifamily boundary:
a resident drop-off option is not automatic authorization for apartment maintenance departments,
contractors or other property-generated automotive waste.
Confirm the lawful generator-specific pathway before transport.
Tires — Resident Recycling Center Pathway + Surcharge
Paramus's current Recycling Center accepted-items list includes
tires.
[2]
The Borough currently states that
a surcharge is charged for each tire disposed of at the Recycling Center
and is paid by the resident at the time of drop-off.
[2]
Property managers should not infer commercial/property eligibility or a particular quantity/off-rim rule
unless confirmed by current DPW instructions.
Styrofoam / EPS — Not Accepted Curbside
Paramus's current curbside recycling guidance expressly states:
no Styrofoam of any kind or form is accepted in the curbside recycling program.
[10]
The Borough has operated special EPS/Styrofoam programs in prior years,
but the current Recycling Center accepted-items page does
not presently list Styrofoam among its standard accepted categories.
[2]
Current instruction:
do not put EPS/Styrofoam in the curbside recycling container.
Confirm directly with DPW whether a current special collection or drop-off program is available before transport.
Household Hazardous Waste — BCUA Events + Alternative Disposal Options
Bergen County Utilities Authority operates scheduled
Household Hazardous Waste collection events
for Bergen County residents.
[5]
Remaining Paramus event in 2026:
Sunday, October 18, 2026
9:00 AM–3:00 PM, rain or shine
Bergen Community College
400 Paramus Road, Paramus
Entry via Paramus Road only.
[5]
BCUA also publishes
alternative HHW disposal options
for residents who need to dispose of material before the next scheduled event.
[6]
Paramus states that the resident HHW service is free to Bergen County residents
with identification.
[11]
Business / property-generated HHW:
Paramus states that businesses must
pre-register before attending BCUA-sponsored events,
with no exceptions, and that a disposal fee applies.
[11]
Therefore, apartment maintenance operations, contractors and other non-household generators
should confirm BCUA eligibility, pre-registration and fees before using a County event.
Bulk Furniture & Miscellaneous Trash — Current DPW Guidance
Current Paramus DPW guidance states that furniture and miscellaneous trash items are collected on the
second trash day of the week:
[12]
South of Midland Avenue: Thursday
North of Midland Avenue: Friday
Paramus's current materials guide identifies miscellaneous items such as
chairs, tables and mattresses among materials handled on the end-of-week garbage/trash day.
Rugs must follow current Borough preparation requirements.
[4]
Important 2026 Code-update note:
eCode currently lists
Ordinance 2026-01, adopted February 3, 2026,
as an amendment affecting Chapter 379, Article I that has not yet been incorporated into the codified online text.
[13]
For current garbage/trash operating procedures, follow the latest Borough DPW guidance
and confirm any property-specific collection arrangement before directing apartment residents to curb-stage bulky material.
White Goods & Metal Appliances — Appointment Required
Paramus currently requires
appointment-based pickup
for specified metal and appliance items.
[4]
Current examples include:
• aluminum / metal;
• bed frames;
• boilers;
• dryers;
• hot-water heaters;
• refrigerators;
• sofa-bed frames;
• stoves; and
• washers.
[4]
Refrigerators must have doors removed.
Call
201-265-2100 ext. 3100
to make the appointment
before placing these items at the curb.
[4]
Construction, Renovation & Demolition Debris — Not Borough Trash
Paramus DPW states that materials generated by
construction, renovation or demolition are not considered Borough garbage, trash or refuse
and will not be collected by the Borough.
[4]
Examples include:
• cabinets;
• Formica;
• Sheetrock;
• shingles;
• wood;
• wooden pallets; and
• packing materials.
[4]
The resident or contractor is responsible for disposal,
and contractors hired by residents are responsible for removing their own debris.
[4]
Apartment-property implication:
unit turns, renovations, capital projects and contractor-generated construction materials
should have a separate lawful downstream C&D pathway and should not be placed into ordinary resident doorstep service.
Borough-Issued Trash & Recycling Containers — Do Not Overgeneralize for Multifamily
Paramus Article IX, adopted October 21, 2025, provides each residential property:
one 95-gallon Borough trash container
and
one 65-gallon Borough recycling container.
[14]
The containers remain Borough property and are assigned to the property address rather than the individual occupant.
[14]
Multifamily qualification:
do not infer that one 65-gallon recycling cart automatically establishes adequate capacity
or the approved operating configuration for a large apartment or condominium community.
Confirm the property's specific municipal/private collection arrangement with DPW and the applicable collector.
Paramus Multifamily Property Manager Compliance Checklist
- ☑ Apply the New Jersey statewide SSRA baseline: treat N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11 et seq. as the statewide mandatory source-separation and recycling framework, then apply Paramus Chapter 379, Article III, applicable Bergen County requirements, NJDEP rules and the property's municipal/private collection arrangement. [15][16]
- ☑ Confirm jurisdiction and collection model: identify the actual Borough/private trash and recycling arrangement serving the property.
- ☑ Maintain mandatory source separation: resident/property procedures should keep Paramus-designated recyclable materials out of ordinary solid waste. [1]
- ☑ New 25+ unit development: verify incorporation of the required recycling provisions. [1]
- ☑ Condominium property: confirm the separate collection method and Borough Recycling Coordinator-approved recycling plan. [1]
- ☑ Use the correct penalty schedule: Article III recycling violations use §379-25's specific warning/fine progression; do not advertise the general $2,000 maximum as the ordinary recycling fine. [3]
- ☑ Confirm municipal drop-off eligibility: proof of residency is required at the Recycling Center, and commercial/institutional direct disposal may require prior Coordinator approval. [1][2]
- ☑ Map electronics separately: use current Recycling Center or scheduled electronics collection procedures.
- ☑ Keep used motor oil out of the OTTO container: residents use the Recycling Center pathway where eligible. [4]
- ☑ Keep tires separate: current Recycling Center acceptance includes a resident-paid surcharge. [2]
- ☑ Do not place Styrofoam curbside: confirm a current special EPS program before giving residents a drop-off instruction. [10]
- ☑ Separate HHW: use BCUA resident programs only for eligible household material; business/property-generated material requires confirmation, pre-registration and applicable fees. [11]
- ☑ Schedule white goods: call DPW before placing appointment-required appliances/metal at the curb. [4]
- ☑ Separate construction debris: contractors and residents remain responsible for lawful disposal of renovation/demolition material. [4]
- ☑ Monitor Borough code updates: Article I currently has an adopted 2026 amendment awaiting incorporation into eCode. Use current DPW guidance for day-to-day garbage/trash operations. [13]
- ☑ Document property procedures: retain service schedules, approved recycling plans where applicable, provider information, resident instructions and material-specific handling rules.
How National Doorstep Fits the Paramus Compliance Workflow
National Doorstep operates upstream from curbside and off-site hauling.
Porters move authorized resident-setout trash and recycling from apartment doors to
property-designated containers or collection points on private property
under ownership or authorized management approval.
National Doorstep does not replace or interfere with the property's municipal
or privately contracted downstream trash/recycling collector.
National Doorstep can support management's onsite resident collection workflow through
standardized set-out procedures, approved-stream separation consistent with the applicable
New Jersey SSRA and Paramus Article III,
contamination monitoring and service documentation.
Municipal-program boundary:
the Paramus Recycling Center and BCUA resident programs should not be characterized
as National Doorstep disposal destinations.
Property-generated or commercial material should use the lawful pathway approved for that generator and material.
Special-material boundary:
electronics, used motor oil, tires, HHW, white goods, C&D debris
and other special streams remain outside ordinary doorstep trash/recycling unless
ownership/management establishes a separate lawful and specifically authorized procedure.
CTA:
Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Paramus Property
Compliance notice: This page is an operational resource for Paramus multifamily owners and property managers and is not legal advice or an official Borough/County determination. Ordinances, accepted materials, municipal-site eligibility, fees, collection procedures and service schedules can change. In addition, Paramus eCode currently identifies Ordinance 2026-01, adopted February 3, 2026, as an Article I solid-waste amendment not yet incorporated into the codified online text. Confirm the current New Jersey SSRA framework, current Borough DPW instructions, applicable Bergen County and Borough requirements, and the property's downstream collection arrangement before changing a property program or transporting special materials.
EEAT / AUTHORITATIVE ORDINANCE & POLICY SOURCES: [1] Paramus Borough Code — Chapter 379, Article III Recycling (mandatory separation; 25+ multifamily development trigger; condominium plan; Recycling Center/direct-disposal rules) | [2] Borough of Paramus — Recycling Center (proof of residency; current hours; accepted items; tire surcharge) | [3] Paramus Borough Code — §379-24 / §379-25 (Recycling Coordinator enforcement; recycling-specific warning/fine schedules) | [4] Borough of Paramus — Materials Disposal Guide (electronics; motor oil; commingled recycling; white goods; furniture/miscellaneous items; construction debris) | [5] BCUA — October 18, 2026 Paramus Household Hazardous Waste Collection | [6] BCUA — Household Hazardous Waste (2026 schedule and alternative disposal options) | [7] Paramus Borough Code — §1-15 General Penalty (applies where no different specific penalty is provided) | [8] New Jersey Electronic Waste Management Act | [9] Paramus Borough Code — Chapter 379, Article I (municipal solid-waste collection exclusions; 2026 amendment notice) | [10] Borough of Paramus — Recycling Curbside (current curbside preparation and no-Styrofoam rule) | [11] Borough of Paramus — Bergen County HHW (resident ID; business pre-registration and disposal fee) | [12] Borough of Paramus — Public Works FAQ (current furniture / second-trash-day guidance) | [13] Paramus eCode — New Laws (Ordinance 2026-01 awaiting incorporation into Chapter 379 Article I) | [14] Paramus Borough Code — Chapter 379, Article IX (Borough-issued 95-gallon trash and 65-gallon recycling containers) | [15] New Jersey Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act — N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11 et seq. / P.L.1987, c.102 | [16] New Jersey Legislature — N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.16 Municipal Recycling System (municipal recycling-program implementation)
Paramus apartment owners, asset managers and property managers: New Jersey requires mandatory source separation and recycling under the Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act, N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11 et seq. (SSRA) . The SSRA establishes the statewide recycling framework, while the Bergen County recycling plan and the Borough of Paramus provide the more specific County and local implementation requirements affecting residential, multifamily, commercial and institutional generators.
State + local framework: the SSRA is the statewide legal foundation. Paramus Chapter 379, Article III implements local requirements by making it mandatory for owners, lessees and occupants of premises in the Borough to separate Paramus-designated recyclable materials from ordinary solid waste.
National Doorstep's valet trash and doorstep recycling program can support onsite resident collection workflows, separation instructions, contamination monitoring and service documentation, while ownership or authorized management remains responsible for municipal approvals, approved collection arrangements, downstream hauling and legal compliance.
New Jersey Statewide Mandatory Source Separation & Recycling Act — SSRA
Statewide legal foundation: New Jersey's N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11 et seq. — Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act (P.L.1987, c.102) establishes New Jersey's mandatory source-separation and recycling framework. The Act provides the statewide foundation for county recycling planning and municipal recycling programs.
Municipal implementation — N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.16: each municipality must establish and implement a municipal recycling program. For Paramus and Bergen County multifamily properties, the SSRA is the statewide legal baseline, while the Bergen County recycling plan and each municipality's recycling ordinance provide the more specific local operating requirements.
Paramus multifamily significance: the SSRA does not replace Paramus's 25+ new multifamily development trigger, condominium recycling-plan requirement, Article III recycling-specific penalty schedule, mixed-use/commercial registration and reporting rules, or current Borough collection and Recycling Center procedures.
Private / alternate collection remains subject to source separation: use of a private collector or other lawful collection arrangement does not make recycling optional. Management should document the property's approved trash/recycling collection arrangement, accepted materials and lawful downstream recycling pathway.
Important limitation: the SSRA does not create one universal apartment recycling-container design, one statewide commingled-bin list or a universal daily recycling pickup requirement. Property managers should apply the SSRA together with the Bergen County recycling plan, Paramus Article III or the applicable municipal ordinance, NJDEP rules, property approvals and the property's actual downstream collection system.
- New Jersey statewide SSRA: N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11 et seq. establishes New Jersey's statewide mandatory source-separation and recycling framework; County plans and municipal programs implement it locally.
- Paramus mandatory separation: owners, lessees and occupants must separate Borough-designated recyclables.
- 25+ new multifamily units: Paramus development proposals must incorporate recycling provisions.
- Condominiums: a separate collection method and Recycling Coordinator-approved recycling plan are required.
- Paramus recycling penalties: Article III has its own warning/fine schedule and should not be replaced with a generic $2,000 fine statement.
- Commercial/mixed-use: Paramus has separate commercial registration and reporting requirements that may matter for retail, office or other nonresidential components of a multifamily property.
- Bergen County: County-designated materials establish a baseline, while each municipality may impose additional multifamily container, reporting, notification and development duties.
Property-manager compliance shortcut:
Start with the New Jersey SSRA. Apply N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11 et seq. as the statewide mandatory recycling framework, then apply Bergen County and the municipality-specific requirements.
Inside Paramus? Apply Chapter 379, current Borough DPW operating instructions, and any property-specific municipal/private collection arrangement.
25+ new multifamily development? Confirm the required recycling provisions during development review.
Condominium? Confirm that the property has the required separate collection method and a recycling plan approved by the Borough Recycling Coordinator.
Mixed-use property? Separately evaluate Paramus's commercial recycling registration, reporting and material-handling requirements for commercial generators.
Elsewhere in Bergen County? Use the specific municipality's recycling ordinance. Hackensack, Fort Lee, Teaneck, Englewood and Garfield impose materially different multifamily duties.
At a Glance: New Jersey SSRA → Paramus / Bergen County Requirements
Borough of Paramus
- Mandatory separation: used newspapers, corrugated cardboard, aluminum cans, glass, tin cans, plastic, grass and brush.
- 25+ new multifamily units: development proposal must incorporate recycling provisions.
- Condominiums: separate collection method plus recycling plan submitted to the Recycling Coordinator.
- Direct municipal drop-off: resident Recycling Center use is subject to Borough eligibility and current operating rules.
- Current operating calendar: use Paramus's current 2026 Public Works Sanitation & Recycling Collection Calendar.
-
Key Paramus links:
Paramus Chapter 379, Article III — Recycling
Paramus DPW — Recycling Curbside
Paramus Materials Disposal Guide
2026 Public Works Sanitation & Recycling Collection Calendar
Bergen County Baseline
- Statewide SSRA: N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11 et seq. establishes New Jersey's mandatory source-separation and recycling framework.
- Municipal implementation: N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.16 requires each municipality to establish and implement a municipal recycling program within the applicable district recycling framework.
- Bergen County requires recycling of designated materials in the residential, commercial and institutional sectors.
- Residential County-designated materials:
- Corrugated cardboard
- Newspaper
- Glass containers
- Aluminum containers
- Heavy iron
- Leaves
- White goods and light iron
- Steel containers
- Other paper / magazines / junk mail
- Grass clippings
- PETE #1 and HDPE #2 plastic containers
- Concrete / asphalt / brick / block
- Important: County designation does not mean that all of these materials belong in one apartment recycling container.
- County enforcement: Bergen County recycling-plan requirements are enforced by the Bergen County Department of Health Services under the County Environmental Health Act.
- Municipal enforcement: municipal recycling ordinances may be enforced by municipal recycling coordinators and local/county health officials.
-
BCUA links:
BCUA — What to Recycle in Bergen County
BCUA — Recycling Enforcement
Paramus vs. Bergen County material-list distinction:
Paramus Article III expressly identifies newspaper, corrugated cardboard, aluminum, glass, tin, plastic, grass and brush.
Bergen County's broader required residential baseline also includes materials such as heavy iron, white goods/light iron, other paper, PETE #1 / HDPE #2, and concrete/asphalt/brick/block.
Do not combine these into one ordinary apartment recycling stream. White goods, heavy iron, C&D-type materials and other special streams require the appropriate Borough/private recycling pathway.
Paramus Property-Manager Recycling Triggers
Swipe or scroll horizontally. The trigger column remains fixed.
| Trigger | Requirement | Property-Manager Action | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide — All NJ | N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11 et seq. (SSRA) establishes New Jersey's statewide mandatory source-separation and recycling framework. N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.16 requires municipalities to establish and implement municipal recycling programs. | Treat the SSRA as the statewide legal baseline, then apply the Bergen County recycling plan, Paramus Article III, NJDEP rules and the property's actual municipal/private collection arrangement. | NJ SSRA / N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.16 |
| All Paramus Premises | Owners, lessees and occupants must source-separate Borough-designated recyclables. | Maintain a property collection configuration that enables residents to comply with the approved recycling system. | §379-16 |
| 25+ New Multifamily Units | Development proposal must incorporate provisions for recycling. | Address collection, storage and routing during development/site review. | §379-17 |
| Condominium | Separate method of collection and recycling plan submitted to Borough Recycling Coordinator. | Retain approved recycling plan with property operating records. | §379-17 |
| Commercial / Mixed-Use Component | Paramus commercial generators have separate registration, material and reporting requirements. | Evaluate retail, restaurant, office and other commercial waste separately from residential apartment waste. | §379-21 |
| Commercial Registration | Commercial users register annually by January 10. | Place January 10 on the compliance calendar where applicable. | §379-21 |
| Commercial Recycling Reports | Commercial users report recycling quantities semiannually, including March 1 and September 1 reporting dates. | Obtain hauler/processor data in advance of filing deadlines. | §379-21 |
| Construction / Renovation | Construction, renovation and demolition debris is not ordinary Borough garbage/trash/refuse. | Require contractor-controlled lawful C&D removal during turns, renovations and capital projects. | Article I + DPW Guidance |
Paramus Recycling-Specific Fines & Enforcement
Paramus Article III has a specific recycling penalty schedule. It should be used instead of advertising the Borough's general Code maximum as the ordinary recycling penalty.
Noncommercial Article III violations:
- Initial violation: written warning.
- First subsequent conviction: $25.
- Second conviction: $50.
- Third conviction: $100.
- Thereafter: up to $500.
Commercial-user §379-21 violations: written warning, then $50 / $100 / $200 / up to $500 for subsequent convictions according to the ordinance.
Enforcement: Article III is enforced by the Recycling Coordinator and/or designee in coordination with applicable Borough agencies.
Bergen County Municipality-by-Municipality Property Manager Information
Bergen County municipalities operate within the New Jersey SSRA → Bergen County → municipal recycling framework, but the County baseline does not create identical apartment-property duties in every municipality. Registration deadlines, reporting requirements, tenant notifications, container standards, development triggers and penalties vary substantially.
Swipe or scroll horizontally. The municipality column remains fixed.
| Municipality | Multifamily / Owner Duty | Registration / Reporting | Development / Collection Trigger | Penalty / Enforcement | Property-Manager Priority | Authoritative Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paramus |
Owners, lessees and occupants must separate Article III designated recyclables.
Condominiums have a separate collection-plan requirement. |
Residential Article III does not impose the same annual multifamily reporting structure as Hackensack or Teaneck.
Mixed-use/commercial components have separate January registration and semiannual reporting requirements. |
25+ new multifamily units:
recycling provisions required.
Construction/renovation debris is outside ordinary Borough trash collection. |
Noncommercial:
warning → $25 → $50 → $100 → up to $500.
Commercial-user violations have a separate progression. |
Separate residential and mixed-use commercial obligations.
Do not treat the resident Recycling Center as an unrestricted apartment overflow destination. |
Paramus Chapter 379, Article III
Paramus Penalties |
| Hackensack | Multifamily dwellings of 4 or more units are directly subject to Hackensack's recycling registration/reporting structure. |
Annual registration:
on or before January 10.
New 4+ unit multifamily properties: registration within 45 days after CO. Monthly recycling report: due by the 10th day of each month for the preceding month. |
If a 4+ unit multifamily property cannot secure a collection system for designated recyclables,
the City is to assist in arranging service.
Larger/heavier residential bulk: properties with more than 4 residential units are limited to 10 total items under the cited collection provision. |
After written notice:
• first: $100; • second: $250; • third: $500; • fourth/subsequent: $1,000. Each continuing day may be separate. |
Place January 10 registration and monthly 10th-day reporting on the property compliance calendar. | Hackensack Chapter 93 — Collection & Recycling |
| Fort Lee |
Mandatory source separation applies to owners, lessees and occupants.
Multiunit residential properties may use other lawful recycling arrangements at their option and expense, provided all source-separated recyclables are lawfully removed/recycled. |
The Recycling Coordinator provides public recycling notices at least every six months.
That municipal notice should not be confused with a separate landlord six-month notice duty. |
New 3+ unit multifamily development:
qualifying subdivision/site-plan development requires an indoor or outdoor recycling area.
White goods/bulky household items require special arrangements before curb placement. Construction/demolition material is owner/contractor responsibility. |
Recycling violations:
up to $25 first offense
and up to $100 subsequent offenses.
Unauthorized collection after curb placement: up to $500 and/or up to 90 days jail. |
Confirm whether the property uses Borough collection or another lawful multiunit arrangement.
Keep white goods and C&D outside the ordinary apartment recycling stream. |
Fort Lee Chapter 356, Article V
Fort Lee Multifamily Recycling-Area Standards |
| Teaneck |
Owners/operators of multifamily dwellings,
including condominium/co-op associations,
must establish a recycling program.
The program includes containers in locations required/determined by the Township Manager. |
Multifamily owners/operators must:
• notify tenants/occupants each year of their recycling responsibility; and • post recycling information in common areas. Private recycling arrangements must be reported to the Township Manager. Private-haul documentation/market slips are due January 10 and July 10. |
25+ new multifamily units:
development application must include a recycling collection/disposition plan.
Private recycling arrangements are expressly permitted if the required municipal notification/reporting is completed. |
No more than two warning notices before enforcement action.
Each day may constitute a separate violation. Where no specific penalty applies, Teaneck's general maximum is up to $2,000 / 90 days / 90 days community service. |
Teaneck has one of the strongest recurring multifamily documentation frameworks in this group.
Put annual tenant notification and January 10 / July 10 private-haul documentation on the operating calendar. |
Teaneck Article IV — Recycling
Teaneck Development Recycling Plan |
| Englewood | For residential premises containing 4 or more units, the owner must provide appropriate recycling containers for occupants in locations approved by the Director of DPW. |
Where private recycling collection applies,
the person contracting for service must provide the City with owner/contact,
private scavenger and collection information
annually during January.
A change in private scavenger must be reported within 30 days. |
New 3+ unit multifamily housing:
site-plan/subdivision standards require an indoor/outdoor recycling area.
Outdoor recycling areas require capacity, access, lighting, signs, weather protection and separation from refuse dumpsters. Englewood also requires controlled dumpsters/refuse containers to be covered and protected from overflow/leakage. |
General Chapter 364 recycling/solid-waste progression:
$25 first;
$50–$100 second;
$100–$200 third;
$100–$500 fourth/subsequent,
unless a specific enhanced penalty applies.
Dumpster-cover/leak violations may be fined up to $300 per day. |
4+ unit properties should verify DPW-approved recycling-container locations.
Privately hauled properties should maintain current scavenger records. |
Englewood Chapter 364
Englewood Multifamily Recycling-Area Standards |
| Garfield | Mandatory source separation applies to recyclable material produced at premises in Garfield, subject to the chapter's stated commercial/institutional exemption procedure. |
Commercial/industrial properties register annually and report recycled quantities semiannually.
Owners/lessees/occupants/contractors must report quantities and types of C&D debris as required by the Recycling Coordinator. |
New 3+ unit multifamily development:
qualifying subdivision/site-plan projects require an indoor/outdoor recycling area.
Recycling of construction/demolition debris is mandatory and written proof is a condition precedent to issuance of a permanent CO. |
Chapter 249 violations: up to $2,000, up to 90 days imprisonment, and/or up to 90 days community service. |
Capital projects and apartment renovation work require special attention:
retain weight slips and C&D recycling documentation.
Do not remove recyclables from the City's curb/drop-off stream after municipal ownership attaches unless authorized. |
Garfield Chapter 249 — Recycling
Garfield Multifamily Recycling-Area Standards |
| Other Bergen County Municipalities | Local recycling ordinances implement the statewide N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11 et seq. SSRA framework throughout Bergen County, but multifamily owner/management requirements vary by municipality. | Do not automatically transfer Hackensack's monthly reporting, Teaneck's annual notice/market-slip rules, or another municipality's requirements to a different Bergen County property. | Local development, container, private-hauler and special-material rules should be confirmed separately. | Municipal penalty schedules vary. | For Bergenfield, Cliffside Park, Fair Lawn, Lodi, Ridgefield, Ridgefield Park, Ridgewood, Rutherford, Edgewater and other Bergen County markets, confirm the current municipal ordinance before publishing property-specific requirements. | BCUA — Recycling Enforcement / Municipal Framework |
Paramus Property Operations — Special Material & Service Boundaries
Construction / Renovation Debris
Current Paramus DPW guidance states that construction, renovation and demolition materials are not Borough garbage/trash/refuse and are not collected through ordinary Borough service.
Contractors hired by residents/property management should remove their own construction debris.
Resident Recycling Center
Paramus currently requires proof of residency for public Recycling Center use.
Commercial/institutional direct recycling arrangements are subject to separate Recycling Coordinator requirements.
Do not treat a resident municipal drop-off site as an automatic apartment-maintenance or porter disposal destination.
Used Motor Oil
Resident guidance directs used motor oil to the Recycling Center and prohibits it from the ordinary recycling OTTO container.
Commercial automotive waste oil is separately regulated and must use the applicable private disposal pathway.
New Jersey SSRA / Bergen County enforcement structure:
New Jersey's SSRA establishes the statewide recycling framework, with municipal recycling programs implemented under N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.16. Bergen County and municipal enforcement operate within that broader State framework.
BCUA administers County recycling planning, public education, special recycling programs and related resources.
Municipal recycling ordinances may be enforced by municipal recycling coordinators and local or county health officials.
Bergen County recycling-plan requirements are enforced by the Bergen County Department of Health Services under the County Environmental Health Act.
NJDEP separately maintains State-level solid-waste and recycling enforcement authority, particularly for facilities, transporters and other regulated entities.
Paramus & Bergen County Multifamily Recycling Compliance Checklist
Swipe or scroll horizontally. The task column remains fixed.
| Task | Property-Manager Action | Paramus / Bergen County Qualification | Recommended Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ☑ Apply NJ SSRA Baseline | Start with N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11 et seq. as New Jersey's statewide mandatory source-separation and recycling framework. | Then apply the Bergen County recycling plan and the specific municipal ordinance. The SSRA does not make Paramus, Hackensack, Fort Lee, Teaneck, Englewood and Garfield operationally identical. | Keep the current State Act link together with applicable County, municipal and downstream-provider sources. |
| ☑ Confirm Municipality | Verify the municipality before applying recycling, registration, reporting, container, notification or penalty provisions. | Paramus, Hackensack, Fort Lee, Teaneck, Englewood and Garfield have materially different rules. | Save the current local recycling ordinance and DPW/public-works guidance. |
| ☑ Confirm Property Type | Identify apartment, condominium, cooperative and mixed-use components separately. | Paramus has a condominium-specific recycling-plan rule. Mixed-use/commercial components may trigger separate registration/reporting. | CO, ownership documents, use classifications and approved recycling plans. |
| ☑ Paramus 25+ Unit Development | For qualifying new Paramus multifamily development, confirm recycling provisions were incorporated into the proposal. | Trigger: 25 or more new multifamily units. | Site plans, development approvals and recycling-plan documentation. |
| ☑ Condominium Plan | Confirm the condominium's separate recycling-collection method and Borough Recycling Coordinator approval. | Paramus condominium-specific requirement. | Approved recycling plan and collection-provider information. |
| ☑ Match Materials to Streams | Create a material-routing matrix for ordinary recycling and special materials. | County designation does not mean white goods, heavy iron or concrete/asphalt/brick/block belong in an ordinary apartment recycling dumpster. | Current municipal accepted-material list and downstream-provider specifications. |
| ☑ Determine Collection Model | Document Borough/City versus private trash and recycling collection. | Local reporting requirements can change when the property uses private recycling arrangements. | Hauler contracts, service schedules and processor information. |
| ☑ Annual / Monthly Reporting Calendar | Add municipality-specific reporting dates to the operating calendar. |
Examples:
• Hackensack — Jan. 10 registration + monthly reports by the 10th; • Teaneck private arrangements — Jan. 10 and July 10 market slips; • Englewood private-collector property information — annually in January; • Paramus commercial component — Jan. 10 registration + March/September reporting. |
Filed forms, weight slips, hauler summaries and confirmation records. |
| ☑ Resident Notice Requirements | Determine whether the municipality imposes an owner/manager resident-notice duty. |
Teaneck multifamily owners/operators must notify tenants annually
and post recycling information in common areas.
Fort Lee's six-month public notice is a municipal Recycling Coordinator duty, not the same type of landlord obligation. |
Notices, signs, emails and portal records where required or used as compliance support. |
| ☑ Multifamily Containers | Use the actual local ordinance before characterizing container design as mandatory. |
Englewood 4+ unit owners must provide appropriate recycling containers in DPW-approved locations.
Teaneck owners/operators must provide containers in locations required/determined by the Township Manager. Paramus does not use the same universal existing-multifamily language. |
Container maps, photos and municipal approvals where applicable. |
| ☑ New Development | Review local recycling-area or recycling-plan triggers before development approval. |
Examples:
• Paramus — 25+ multifamily units; • Teaneck — 25+ multifamily units; • Fort Lee — new 3+ multifamily development requiring subdivision/site-plan approval; • Englewood — new 3+ multifamily development; • Garfield — new 3+ multifamily development requiring subdivision/site-plan approval. |
Site plans, recycling-area plans and Recycling Coordinator correspondence. |
| ☑ Construction / Renovation | Keep contractor-generated C&D material outside ordinary resident trash/doorstep collection. |
Paramus DPW excludes construction/renovation/demolition debris from ordinary Borough service.
Fort Lee makes owner/contractor responsible for C&D. Garfield requires recycling and proof for C&D before permanent CO. |
Contractor scopes, recycling receipts, weight slips and disposal documentation. |
| ☑ Penalty Review | Use the municipality's actual penalty section before publishing a fine. | Paramus, Hackensack, Fort Lee, Teaneck, Englewood and Garfield have substantially different penalty structures. | Current Code penalty section. |
| ☑ Organized Compliance-Support File | Maintain service agreements, resident instructions, relevant notices, reporting records, photographs and corrective-action records. | Documentation supports property operations, but should not be marketed as a guarantee of inspection or regulatory approval. | Centralized digital or property-level compliance-support folder. |
| ☑ National Doorstep Integration | Match the onsite doorstep program to the property's approved trash/recycling system. | National Doorstep operates onsite/upstream from downstream hauling and does not replace municipal/private haulers or municipal reporting requirements. | Doorstep service records, resident instructions, contamination records and corrective-action documentation. |
2026 Paramus Code-status note:
Paramus eCode currently lists Ordinance 2026-01, adopted February 3, 2026, as an adopted amendment affecting Chapter 379, Article I that has not yet been incorporated into the codified online text.
This does not alter the Article III mandatory-recycling provisions summarized above, but current trash, bulk and ordinary collection procedures should be checked against the latest Paramus DPW guidance until the Article I amendment is fully incorporated.
How National Doorstep fits the Paramus / Bergen County waste system:
National Doorstep operates upstream from curbside and off-site hauling. Porters move authorized resident-setout trash and recycling from apartment doors to property-designated containers or collection points on private property under ownership or authorized management approval.
National Doorstep does not replace or interfere with the property's municipal or privately contracted downstream trash/recycling collector. The onsite doorstep workflow should be structured to support source separation under the applicable New Jersey SSRA, Bergen County and municipal requirements.
National Doorstep can support resident education, onsite collection workflows, contamination monitoring and service documentation while ownership/authorized management remains responsible for municipal approvals, reporting, downstream hauling arrangements and legal compliance.
Resident municipal Recycling Centers, County resident programs and other government drop-off locations should not be characterized as National Doorstep disposal destinations.
Need a multifamily waste and recycling operational review in Paramus or Bergen County? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Bergen County property . We can help management review the onsite resident workflow, accepted-material instructions, container configuration, contamination controls and organized compliance-support documentation while keeping municipal reporting and downstream hauling responsibilities clearly separated.
EEAT / AUTHORITATIVE ORDINANCE & POLICY SOURCES:
[1] Borough of Paramus — Chapter 379, Article III Recycling
(mandatory separation; 25+ multifamily development;
condominium collection plans; commercial requirements)
[2] Borough of Paramus — Recycling Enforcement & Penalties
(written warning; noncommercial and commercial fine schedules)
[3] Borough of Paramus — Recycling Curbside
[4] Borough of Paramus — Materials Disposal Guide
(current operational rules for recyclables, electronics,
motor oil, bulk, appliances and construction debris)
[5] Borough of Paramus — Recycling Center
(hours, proof of residency and accepted materials)
[6] Borough of Paramus — 2026 Public Works Sanitation & Recycling Collection Calendar
[7] Paramus eCode — New Laws
(Ordinance 2026-01 awaiting incorporation into Chapter 379 Article I)
[8] Bergen County Utilities Authority — What to Recycle in Bergen County
(County-designated residential/commercial materials)
[9] Bergen County Utilities Authority — Recycling Enforcement
(municipal, County and State enforcement responsibilities)
[10] City of Hackensack — Chapter 93, Article II Collection & Recycling
(4+ unit annual registration; monthly reporting; penalties)
[11] Borough of Fort Lee — Chapter 356, Article V Recycling
(mandatory separation; multiunit lawful private recycling;
special white-goods arrangements; penalties)
[12] Borough of Fort Lee — New Multifamily Recycling-Area Standards
(3+ unit development definition and recycling-area requirements)
[13] Township of Teaneck — Article IV Recycling
(multifamily recycling program; containers; annual tenant notice;
common-area posting; private-haul reporting; enforcement)
[14] Township of Teaneck — Development Recycling Plan
(25+ multifamily unit trigger)
[15] City of Englewood — Chapter 364 Solid Waste & Recycling
(4+ unit recycling containers; private collection information;
recycling penalties; dumpster controls)
[16] City of Englewood — New 3+ Unit Multifamily Recycling-Area Standards
[17] City of Garfield — Chapter 249 Recycling
(mandatory source separation; C&D recycling;
reporting; penalties)
[18] City of Garfield — Multifamily Recycling Areas
(new 3+ unit development)
[19] New Jersey Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act —
N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11 et seq. / P.L.1987, c.102
[20] New Jersey Legislature — N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.16 Municipal Recycling System
(municipal recycling-program implementation)
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