13 Things You Should Never Recycle in New Jersey — And What To Do Instead

ReGenesis Materials
Jul 7
6 min read

A side-by-side image of two recycling bins: one overflowing with non-recyclable items like plastic bags, greasy pizza boxes, and electronics, and the other neatly filled with clean paper, bottles, and cardboard. A small New Jersey skyline appears in the background with the title “What NOT to Recycle in New Jersey” displayed across the top.

Many New Jersey residents are doing their part to recycle, but there’s one problem: recycling wrong can cause more harm than good. Tossing non-recyclables into the bin can contaminate clean materials, damage recycling equipment, and increase landfill waste—even if your intentions are good.

If you've ever wondered:

"Why wasn’t my bin collected?"

"Can I recycle this greasy pizza box?"

"Are plastic bags recyclable?"

This guide will answer all of that and more.

Here are 13 common items you should never place in your blue recycling bin in New Jersey, plus smarter waste disposal tips for each.

Why Can’t I Recycle Everything?

It’s easy to assume that anything made of plastic, paper, or glass belongs in the recycling bin—but unfortunately, that’s not the case. Recycling facilities in New Jersey have specific requirements to ensure the materials they process are clean, safe, and useful. Here’s why some items get rejected:

Contamination: Grease, food, and chemicals can spoil entire batches of recyclable material.
Hazards: Items like batteries and aerosol cans pose serious safety risks when compacted or exposed to heat.
Sorting challenges: Some items are too flimsy, too small, or made of mixed materials that can’t be sorted properly.
No resale value: Even if something is technically recyclable, if no market exists to buy and reuse the material, it’s not accepted.

13 Items You Should Never Recycle in New Jersey — And What to Do Instead

1. Plastic Bags and Plastic Film

Used plastic bags and bubble wrap casually tossed into a recycling bin, showing common household mistakes before recycling.

Though common in everyday life, plastic grocery bags, bread bags, bubble wrap, and dry cleaning plastic should never go in your curbside recycling bin. These materials wrap around sorting machines at recycling centers, often causing full shutdowns and equipment damage.

If you just got back from ShopRite or used a Ziploc to pack lunch, remember: those plastic bags must be returned to a store drop-off (usually near the entrance), not tossed in the blue bin. Better yet, switch to reusable cloth or canvas bags.

2. Greasy Pizza Boxes

Greasy, half-full pizza box about to be recycled, highlighting how food residue makes cardboard unrecyclable.

Pizza night is a tradition in many New Jersey homes, but that greasy Domino’s or Papa John’s box can’t be recycled if it’s soaked in oil or smeared with melted cheese. Grease interferes with the recycling process by weakening the fibers in cardboard, making it impossible to break down properly.

If the top lid is clean, tear it off and recycle it. But the bottom—where all the cheesy goodness once was—should go in the trash or, if you compost, in the compost bin.

3. Unwashed Food Containers

Dirty food containers with leftover residue waiting to be recycled, showing the importance of rinsing before disposal.

That peanut butter jar you just emptied, the yogurt cup from breakfast, or the plastic takeout container from last night’s pad thai can’t be recycled if it still has food inside. Even small amounts of residue can contaminate entire loads of recycling, especially paper products.

A quick rinse is usually enough—no need to scrub spotless. But if it’s tough to clean (like the sticky inside of a peanut butter jar), it’s better to toss it in the trash than risk ruining a batch of recyclables.

4. Glassware, Pyrex, and Ceramics

Although you might think that your broken coffee mug or old casserole dish belongs with other glass, these items don’t melt at the same temperature as bottles and jars, making them unrecyclable. Plus, they’re often treated with special coatings or chemicals that aren’t safe for recycling.

So if your Pyrex dish cracked during holiday baking or you chipped a wine glass from a Target set, don’t toss it in the recycling. Wrap it securely and place it in the trash—or donate usable items to your local Goodwill or thrift store.

5. Plastic Cutlery, Party Plates, and Solo Cups

Used plastic party items about to be recycled, demonstrating how food-covered disposable plastics don’t belong in recycling.

Disposable forks, spoons, foam plates, and red Solo cups are often made from plastic #6 (polystyrene)—a material that’s difficult to recycle and not accepted by most municipal programs in New Jersey. These items are also often contaminated with food.

So after your birthday party or summer BBQ, resist the urge to dump everything into the recycling bin. Instead, use compostable utensils for future events, or better yet, reusable ones that you can wash and store.

6. Styrofoam (Polystyrene)

Used Styrofoam food containers and coffee cups waiting to be recycled, showing items not accepted curbside in NJ.

That foam coffee cup from Wawa, your takeout container from the diner, or the foam packaging that came with your Amazon order cannot be recycled curbside. Styrofoam breaks into small, lightweight bits that clog up machinery and carry little to no resale value.

While a few specialty facilities accept clean, rigid foam blocks, most residents should bag it and place it in the trash. It’s unfortunate, but until better alternatives exist, avoid foam whenever possible.

7. Plastics #3, #4, #6, and #7

Various low-grade plastics with confusing numbers near a recycling bin, illustrating the challenge of knowing which plastics are accepted.

If you check the recycling triangle on the bottom of many containers, you’ll see a number inside. While #1 (like soda bottles) and #2 (like milk jugs) are commonly accepted, plastics numbered 3, 4, 6, and 7 are often rejected by local programs.

These include things like squeeze bottles (#4), PVC pipes (#3), foam food trays (#6), and mixed plastic items like baby bottles or snack packaging (#7). When in doubt, stick to #1 and #2 plastics—or check your town’s recycling guide for specifics.

8. Aerosol Cans

Used aerosol cans being prepared for recycling, highlighting the risk of placing pressurized items in curbside bins.

Cans that contain pressurized air—like hair spray, bug spray, spray paint, or cooking spray—should never go in your curbside bin. Even when “empty,” they can still explode if crushed, risking injury or fire at recycling centers.

Instead, save these cans for your town’s household hazardous waste collection day, where they’ll be safely handled and disposed of.

9. Electronics (E-Waste)

Obsolete electronics placed near a household recycling bin, showing common e-waste mistakes during decluttering.

Your broken TV, old iPhone, unused laptop, or dusty printer may seem like they belong in the recycling bin—but they don’t. Electronics contain metals, plastics, and chemicals that require special handling.

Many New Jersey towns offer e-waste collection days, and retailers like Best Buy or Staples accept used electronics for free or low-cost recycling. Never put electronics in your curbside bin.

10. Batteries

Used household batteries stacked beside a recycling bin, a frequent recycling error that creates fire hazards.

Batteries of all types—including AA batteries, rechargeable batteries, and those lithium packs inside kids’ toys—pose a major fire risk when compacted. They also leak toxic chemicals into the environment.

Drop them off instead at designated battery collection bins, which you can find at hardware stores, public libraries, or town recycling centers.

11. Light Bulbs

Old light bulbs being considered for recycling, showing the need for special drop-off and handling procedures.

Certain light bulbs—especially CFLs (spiral bulbs) and fluorescent tubes—contain mercury, which is hazardous if broken. LED bulbs are safer but still not typically accepted in curbside bins.

Stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot have drop-off boxes for used bulbs. If a CFL bulb breaks at home, ventilate the area and follow EPA cleanup guidelines before disposal.

12. Clothing and Textiles

Used clothing and textiles set on a recycling bin, illustrating the misconception that fabric is accepted in curbside recycling.

Old jeans, towels, T-shirts, or even worn-out socks don’t belong in your recycling bin. These materials wrap around machinery and cause costly shutdowns at recycling facilities.

If clothes are still wearable, donate them to a local shelter or Goodwill. For items that are ripped or stained, check if your town has a textile recycling program or drop-off bin. H&M stores and some municipal centers offer this service.

13. Household Cleaners, Paint, and Chemicals

Hazardous household chemicals beside recycling bins, representing the need for special disposal—not curbside recycling.

Leftover bleach, paint thinner, bug spray, or ammonia should never be poured down the drain or thrown in the bin. These chemicals are corrosive, flammable, or toxic and require special handling.

Check your county website for hazardous waste disposal events, which are typically held seasonally and are free for residents.

Smarter Waste Disposal Tips for New Jersey Residents

Check your town’s recycling rules: Every town in NJ has slightly different rules. Visit your town’s website and print or bookmark their “accepted materials” list.
Search smarter: Type in “recycling center near me,” “battery drop-off NJ,” or “textile recycling NJ” to find specific drop-off options.
Don’t guess—ask: When in doubt, throw it out or call your town’s recycling office.
Rinse before recycling: Clean materials are more likely to be successfully recycled.

Recycling in New Jersey Only Works When We All Do It Right

Recycling is one of the most effective ways to reduce landfill waste and support a cleaner New Jersey—but only if we do it correctly. Misplaced items don’t just cause inconvenience—they threaten the efficiency and safety of the entire recycling system.

So whether you’re clearing out your pantry, sorting takeout boxes, or tackling a garage clean-out, remember:

When in doubt, find out—or throw it out.

🌿 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.