New Jersey Recycling Rules: Why Your Plastic Bag Recycling Was Skipped and What to Do Instead
- Info LS
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
You Recycled. The Truck Came. But Only Took the Cardboard. What Gives?
If you've been diligently separating your recyclables — cardboard in one pile, bottles and cans in a clear bag — and still find your recycling left untouched, you're not alone. Many New Jersey residents run into this confusing issue and wonder:
“Is there another truck coming? Am I doing this wrong?”
The truth? You’re likely making one small but critical mistake that goes against official New Jersey recycling rules.
This guide unpacks everything you need to know about curbside recycling in NJ, why plastic bags are a problem, and how to make sure your efforts actually make a difference.
The Golden Rule: No Plastic Bags in Curbside Recycling
Across New Jersey — from Camden to Trenton, Newark to Jersey City — there is one universal curbside rule:
Recyclables must be placed loose in a bin. No plastic bags. Ever.
That includes:
Clear plastic bags
Grocery store bags
Trash bags
Blue-tinted bags marketed as “recycling friendly”
Why not plastic bags? Because they:
Tangle up machines at sorting facilities (MRFs)
Cause safety risks and shutdowns
Lead to rejected loads
Are not recyclable in curbside programs
Many residents think a clear bag is “recycling-friendly,” but facilities treat them no differently than black trash bags. Even if the material inside the bag is recyclable, the whole bundle is likely to be thrown away.
As the Jersey City Recycling Department says: “Place bottles, cans and plastics loosely in a bin. DO NOT USE PLASTIC BAGS.”
“But Isn’t There Another Truck Coming?”
This myth has been floating around New Jersey neighborhoods for years.
It’s true that some municipalities operate dual-stream recycling systems, where:
One truck collects paper and cardboard
Another collects bottles, cans, and plastic containers
But here’s the catch:
The second truck may come later on the same day
Or not at all if your recyclables were non-compliant
If your bagged recyclables are still there the next day, that’s your answer: they were rejected.
Pro tip: Always check your town’s recycling calendar to know which days and streams are scheduled for pickup.
The Right Way to Recycle in New Jersey
Here’s a breakdown of what New Jersey municipalities require for successful curbside pickup:
✔️ DO:
Use a recycling bin with a lid (some towns provide these for free)
Place plastic, glass, and metal containers loosely in the bin
Rinse all bottles, jars, and cans before placing them in the bin
Flatten and bundle cardboard neatly, keeping it dry
Keep paper separate if required by your town (dual-stream systems)
❌ DON’T:
Use any type of plastic bag to hold recyclables
Place food waste, styrofoam, garden hoses, or electronics in the recycling
Mix wet items with paper or cardboard
Recycle greasy pizza boxes — they belong in the trash or compost
Rules May Vary Slightly by Municipality — Here’s How to Check
While the no plastic bags rule is universal, your town may have unique requirements for:
Here’s how to stay compliant:
Check your city’s or county’s Department of Public Works or recycling page
Download their “What to Recycle” guide
Look for updates about holiday pickups, rule changes, or special collection days
Where Should Plastic Bags Go?
Plastic bags are recyclable — but not through curbside bins.
Instead, drop them off at:
Grocery stores (ShopRite, Stop & Shop, Target, etc.)
Large retailers (Walmart, Lowe’s, Home Depot)
Special collection events
Be sure they’re clean and dry. Remove receipts, wrappers, or food crumbs.
The Impact of Contamination on the Recycling Stream
Contamination — food, plastic bags, liquids, or non-recyclables — is the biggest threat to recycling efficiency.
When contamination happens:
Entire loads are sent to the landfill
Municipal costs rise
Trust in the system erodes
You could even be fined in some towns for repeat violations
To protect the integrity of the system:
Rinse your recyclables
Only include accepted materials
Keep food out of your bin
What Happens After Pickup?
Your recyclables go to a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) like ReGenesis Materials in Voorhees, NJ.
There, items are:
Sorted by machine and hand
Separated by material type
Compressed and baled
Sold to manufacturers for reuse
Plastic bags ruin this process. A single bag can:
Shut down conveyor belts
Endanger workers
Lead to entire truckloads being rejected
What to Do If Your Recycling Is Skipped
If you followed all the rules and your materials still weren’t picked up:
Take a photo of your setup (before it's disturbed)
Note the time, day, and materials left behind
File a report through your town’s recycling department
Your feedback helps improve routes, education, and compliance.
Follow These Rules So Your Recycling Doesn’t Go to Waste
Material | How to Dispose Properly |
Glass bottles & jars | Rinse & place loose in bin |
Aluminum & tin cans | Rinse & place loose in bin |
Plastic bottles (1 & 2) | Rinse & place loose in bin |
Cardboard & paper | Flatten and bundle, keep dry |
Plastic bags | Drop off at designated store collection bins |
Contaminated items | Trash or special handling (e.g., electronics, food waste) |
Did You Know?
Only about 9% of plastic is recycled globally
Up to 30% of curbside recycling in the U.S. is rejected due to contamination
Municipalities in New Jersey spend millions annually processing unusable recycling
Let’s do better together — it starts with following a few simple rules.
🌿 About ReGenesis Materials
As a Class A recycling facility based in Voorhees, NJ, ReGenesis Materials processes high-volume recyclables like cardboard, aluminum, paper, plastic, and glass. We partner with municipalities, haulers, and businesses to ensure material recovery is clean, compliant, and sustainable.
Interested in a recycling partnership or educational outreach? Contact us today to schedule a site tour or set up a program for your building, office park, or community.
Comments