Paramus apartment owners, asset managers, and property managers: avoid avoidable citations while giving residents the clean, convenient valet trash & recycling amenity they expect. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling program is engineered to align with the Borough of Paramus Code Chapter 379 (Solid Waste, Article III – Recycling) and Bergen County’s Solid Waste Management Plan under New Jersey’s Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act, helping you stay ahead of enforcement while boosting NOI.
Within the Borough of Paramus, it is mandatory for all owners, lessees and occupants of premises to keep core recyclables separate from other solid waste – including used newspapers, corrugated cardboard, aluminum cans, glass, tin cans, plastic containers, grass and brush – and to set them out for recycling collection instead of disposal.
Paramus sits inside Bergen County’s county-wide recycling framework, which designates materials that every municipality must require residents to recycle (newspaper, cardboard, glass, metals, plastics #1 and #2, yard waste and more) and is implemented locally through borough ordinances and the Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) plan and enforcement program.
- Protect NOI & Asset Value: Reduce risk of escalating recycling fines by aligning your program with Paramus Chapter 379 and Bergen County’s designated recyclables list.
- Resident-First Convenience: Doorstep service that keeps residents out of cluttered enclosures, reduces trips to the recycling center, and supports renewals and online reputation.
- Code-Smart Design: Container layouts, labels, and service frequencies built around Paramus recycling rules, BCUA’s “what to recycle” guidance, and DPW collection schedules.
- Hands-Off Compliance: We handle hauler coordination, resident education, and documentation so your on-site team can focus on leasing and operations.
At a Glance: Borough of Paramus vs. Bergen County & Statewide Framework
Borough of Paramus (Inside Borough Limits)
- Mandate Type: Mandatory source separation and recycling for all premises (residential, multifamily, commercial and institutional) under Chapter 379, Article III – Recycling.
- Applicability Threshold: Applies broadly to all persons who are owners, lessees and occupants of premises in Paramus – including apartment and condominium communities – for the borough’s designated recyclable materials.
- Core Designated Materials (Residential / Multifamily):
- Used newspapers and magazines
- Corrugated cardboard and other household cardboard
- Glass bottles and jars
- Aluminum cans and containers
- Tin / steel cans and other ferrous scrap
- Plastic containers (generally #1 PET and #2 HDPE, plus locally accepted plastics per DPW)
- Grass and brush / yard waste
- White goods and bulky metal (appliances, scrap metal)
- Property Manager Duties (Multifamily): Provide containers and storage areas for recyclables; ensure residents separate and set out designated materials; coordinate recycling collection (borough or private hauler); and follow Paramus DPW set-out rules and schedules.
- Key Paramus Links:
Borough of Paramus Code – Ch. 379, Art. III (Recycling)
Ch. 379 – Solid Waste (Collection, Disposal & Yard Waste)
Paramus DPW – Recycling Curbside
Paramus DPW – Recycling Center
2025 Paramus Sanitation & Recycling Calendar (PDF)
Paramus Materials Disposal Guide
Bergen County & New Jersey Framework
- Mandate Type: Statewide mandatory source separation under the New Jersey Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act, implemented locally by municipal ordinances and the Bergen County Solid Waste Management Plan.
- County-Designated Residential Recyclables (Baseline):
- Newspaper and mixed paper
- Corrugated cardboard
- Glass containers
- Aluminum cans
- Steel / tin cans and other scrap metal
- Plastic containers #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE)
- Leaves and grass clippings
- Construction & demolition debris (concrete, brick, asphalt, etc., where separated)
- White goods / large appliances
- Applicability Threshold (Multifamily): All residents and multifamily communities in Bergen County are expected to separate and recycle county-designated materials, with each municipality (including Paramus) required to adopt and enforce a conforming recycling ordinance.
- Program Duties: Municipalities must maintain and enforce recycling ordinances; BCUA provides countywide education, events (e-waste, hazardous waste, shredding, etc.), and supports enforcement; NJDEP oversees state-level compliance for haulers and facilities.
- Key County & State Links:
Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA)
BCUA – Recycling & Waste Information
BCUA Recycling & Solid Waste Guide (PDF)
NJDEP – Statewide Mandatory Recycling
N.J. Statewide Mandatory Source Separation & Recycling Act (PDF)
Paramus & Bergen County Multifamily Recycling Mandates
New Jersey’s statewide recycling law and the Bergen County plan require every municipality – including Paramus – to operate a mandatory source-separation recycling program. For apartment and condominium communities, that means on-site containers, clear separation rules for residents, and regular enforcement supported by the Borough and BCUA.
| Jurisdiction | Apartment / Multifamily Recycling Mandate? | Notes for Owners & Property Managers |
|---|---|---|
| Paramus (Borough) | Yes – Mandatory separation & recycling ordinance |
Chapter 379, Article III makes it mandatory for all owners, lessees and occupants of premises – including apartment and condominium communities – to separate used newspapers, corrugated cardboard, aluminum cans, glass, tin cans, plastic containers, grass and brush from all other solid waste. Property managers must ensure: • Adequate recycling containers and storage areas on site; • Set-out of recyclables per the Borough’s curbside schedule or DPW recycling center rules; • Resident communication that matches the Borough’s designated recyclables list. Key local links: Paramus Code – Recycling (Ch. 379, Art. III) · 2025 Paramus Recycling Calendar (PDF) |
| Bergen County Municipalities (e.g., Hackensack, Fort Lee, Teaneck, Englewood, Garfield) | Yes – Local ordinances aligned with county/state plan |
Every municipality in Bergen County is required to adopt and enforce a recycling ordinance consistent with the county’s Solid Waste Management Plan, designating similar residential recyclables (newspaper, cardboard, glass, metals, plastics, yard waste and more) and making recycling mandatory for residents and multifamily communities. Property managers outside Paramus should: • Check their municipality’s recycling chapter (typically via eCode360 or the local DPW site); • Confirm the designated material list and set-out rules; • Align on-site containers and resident instructions with BCUA’s baseline “what to recycle” guidance. Helpful links: BCUA – Recycling & Waste · BCUA Recycling & Solid Waste Guide (PDF) |
| State of New Jersey | Yes – Statewide Mandatory Recycling Act |
The New Jersey Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act requires every municipality and county to adopt a comprehensive recycling plan and ordinance, and empowers NJDEP and counties to enforce compliance on generators, haulers and facilities. For multifamily properties, this creates a layered framework: state law → county plan → municipal ordinance → on-site recycling program. National Doorstep designs valet trash & recycling programs that satisfy this chain while staying practical for residents. Helpful links: NJDEP – Recycling |
Fines & Penalties Snapshot (Paramus & Bergen County)
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Paramus – Recycling Violations (Ch. 379, Art. III & § 379-25):
The Borough’s recycling article provides specific penalties for violations of Chapter 379, including failure to properly separate and set out designated recyclables. Under § 379-25 (Violations and penalties):
• First offense: fine of not less than $25 and not more than $100.
• Second offense: fine of not less than $50 and not more than $100.
• Third and subsequent offenses: fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500.
In practice, enforcement usually escalates from warnings and notices to formal summonses and fines for repeat non-compliance, especially at multifamily communities where recycling is routinely mixed with trash.Authoritative Links:
Paramus Code – Ch. 379, Art. III (Recycling) · Paramus Code – Solid Waste & Yard Waste (Ch. 379) -
Bergen County / BCUA – Enforcement & State Law:
Bergen County’s Solid Waste Management Plan and BCUA programs implement New Jersey’s statewide act. While day-to-day tickets at multifamily properties are typically written under municipal codes (like Paramus Chapter 379), the BCUA and NJDEP can take enforcement actions against haulers and facilities that violate recycling requirements, including civil penalties, permit actions, and other regulatory remedies under state law. - Tip for owners and property managers: The simplest way to avoid fines is to match your on-site program to Paramus’s designated materials list, keep clean, clearly signed collection areas, and document recycling education for residents. That gives DPW inspectors and BCUA partners a clear, defensible picture of good-faith compliance.
Paramus & Bergen County Multifamily Recycling Compliance Checklist
| Task | Action / Requirement | Helpful Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Confirm Jurisdiction & Ordinances |
Verify that your community is inside the Borough of Paramus and confirm which ordinances apply:
• Solid waste & recycling: Chapter 379 (especially Article III – Recycling). If you own or manage in another Bergen County municipality, pull that town’s recycling chapter and compare its “designated recyclables” list with the BCUA baseline. |
Paramus Code – Recycling (Ch. 379, Art. III) Paramus DPW – Recycling Curbside BCUA – Recycling & Waste |
| ☑ Map Designated Materials to Your Property |
Compare your waste stream to Paramus’s and BCUA’s designated lists:
• Paper: newspapers, magazines, mixed paper, mail and office paper. • Cardboard: corrugated boxes and shipping packaging. • Containers: glass bottles/jars; aluminum and steel/tin cans; plastic bottles and containers (#1 and #2, plus any locally accepted plastics). • Yard waste: grass and brush according to Borough rules. • Bulky items: white goods and scrap metal, plus electronics via Borough or BCUA events. |
Paramus Materials Disposal Guide 2025 Paramus Recycling Calendar (PDF) BCUA Recycling & Solid Waste Guide (PDF) |
| ☑ Containers, Corral Layout & Signage |
Provide clearly labeled recycling containers in locations that are at least as convenient as trash:
• Separate commingled containers (bottles, cans, plastics) from trash to reduce contamination. • Provide dedicated space for cardboard to keep it dry and flatten boxes. • Install simple, pictorial signage that mirrors Borough and BCUA material lists so residents know exactly what belongs where. |
Paramus DPW – Public Works Overview BCUA – Recycling Programs |
| ☑ Resident Education & Communication |
Show residents exactly how to recycle in Paramus:
• Provide move-in recycling guides that match Borough rules and your hauler’s accepted materials. • Send periodic reminders (email, portal, print, door hangers) with “Yes / No” lists and set-out instructions. • Emphasize convenience (“doorstep pick-up on these days”) and cleanliness – not just penalties. |
Paramus DPW – Recycling Curbside BCUA – Education & Events |
| ☑ Track Service, Contamination & Complaints |
Build an “inspection-ready” file for your Paramus property:
• Current trash and recycling service agreements and schedules. • Photos of clean, well-signed enclosures. • Notes on common contamination issues (e.g., bagged trash in recycling, cardboard in trash) and corrective actions you’ve taken. • Records of any DPW or BCUA communications and how you responded. |
Paramus DPW Contact Information BCUA – Recycling & Waste |
| ☑ Align with Valet Trash & Recycling Program |
Integrate National Doorstep’s valet service with Paramus and Bergen County rules:
• Match doorstep collection rules to the borough’s designated material list and BCUA guidance. • Use standardized resident instructions and signage designed for Paramus properties. • Build in feedback loops so on-site staff and National Doorstep can quickly correct contamination before it becomes a code issue. |
Request a Free Compliance Audit |
Need a fast compliance check in Paramus 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.
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