New Jersey isn't just the Garden State; it is a pioneer in environmental responsibility. Back in 1987, we became the first state in the nation to enact a mandatory recycling law. That history makes us proud, but it also sets a high bar. Whether you live near the Delaware River in Trenton or out in the suburbs of Mercer County, you probably drag that bin to the curb every week without thinking twice.
But have you ever wondered what actually happens to those materials? Understanding our current standing helps us see where we need to go. If you're looking to recycle more effectively, the first step is knowing the score. Recycling saves energy, conserves natural resources, and keeps our local landfills from filling up too fast. It also saves money. For businesses and residents alike, reducing what we send to the dump lowers waste disposal costs, which have been rising steadily over the last decade.
New Jersey recycles approximately 55% of its total municipal solid waste.
That number puts us well ahead of the national average. According to reports from the EPA and state data, the national recycling rate hovers around 32%. While being twenty points ahead of the curve is something to celebrate, the state has set ambitious goals to push that number even higher. The target is to recycle 50% of municipal solid waste (household trash) and 60% of total solid waste (which includes construction debris and scrap metal).
Reaching that 60% goal requires everyone to pitch in. While we are doing a decent job, millions of tons of reusable materials still end up in landfills every year. This isn't just an environmental issue; it is an economic one. Landfills in New Jersey charge "tipping fees" to dump waste. These fees can range from $85 to over $100 per ton depending on the facility and the year. Every ton of paper or plastic we rescue is money saved for our local municipalities and businesses.
Contamination and "wish-cycling" are the two biggest obstacles slowing down our progress.
You might have heard the term "wish-cycling." This happens when well-meaning residents toss questionable items—like greasy pizza boxes, plastic bags, or Styrofoam—into the bin, hoping they will get recycled. Unfortunately, this does more harm than good. When non-recyclable items enter the stream, they can jam machinery at a recycling center in New Jersey or contaminate valuable materials, rendering a whole batch of paper or plastic useless.
Another factor is market demand. Recycling is a commodity market. The value of bales of cardboard or plastic fluctuates based on global manufacturing needs. When the economy slows down, the demand for raw materials drops, making it harder for processors to sell the materials they collect. However, New Jersey's robust infrastructure helps buffer us against some of these global shifts better than other states.
Geography plays a role, too. In densely populated areas like Trenton or close to major roadways like Route 1, collection is more efficient. In more rural parts of Burlington or Monmouth counties, the logistics of collection can be more expensive and complex, occasionally impacting participation rates.
The rise of e-commerce has caused a massive spike in the amount of corrugated cardboard entering residential waste streams.
Walk down any street in Hamilton or Princeton on recycling day, and you will see stacks of boxes with that familiar smile logo. Online shopping has changed the composition of our trash. Fortunately, cardboard recycling is one of the most effective and economically viable forms of recycling.
Cardboard is known as "OCC" (Old Corrugated Containers) in the industry. It is highly sought after because it has strong fibers that can be reused multiple times. However, for a recycling center in New Jersey to process this effectively, the boxes must be flattened and kept dry. Wet cardboard is difficult to sort and often gets rejected. By simply breaking down your boxes and keeping them out of the rain, you're directly contributing to a higher recycling rate for the state.
Statewide education programs and stricter enforcement of mandatory recycling laws are driving numbers up.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) continues to push grants to counties and municipalities to improve their recycling coordinators' reach. These funds help pay for improved signage, community outreach, and better collection bins.
On a community level, we are seeing more businesses take responsibility. Commercial entities generate a huge portion of the state's waste. By partnering with a dedicated service, these businesses can divert tons of paper, metal, and plastic from the waste stream annually. Thisn't only helps the environment but often creates a revenue stream for the business if they generate enough volume to sell their baled recyclables.
Focus on the basics: keep it clean, keep it dry, and when in doubt, throw it out.
Improving our recycling rate isn't just about government policy; it starts in your kitchen. Here are a few practical ways you can help move the needle:
New Jersey has always been a leader in recycling, but the race isn't over. With a current rate hovering around 55%, we are doing well, yet there is plenty of room for improvement. By understanding the costs associated with waste—both the financial tipping fees and the environmental toll—we can find the motivation to be more diligent.
Whether you're a homeowner clearing out the garage or a business manager looking to streamline your waste management, your efforts matter. It takes the collective effort of everyone from the Jersey Shore to the state capital to keep our environment healthy.
If you have questions about what can be recycled or need a partner to help handle your business's waste stream, we are here to help.
Contact All County Recycling today at (609) 393-6445 to learn more about how we can work together to keep New Jersey clean.
