NJ Summer Cleaning: 13 Items It’s Illegal To Recycle

Summer in the Garden State hits different. Between weekend shore trips, backyard BBQs, and catching those gorgeous sunsets, there is an unmatched energy in the air.

Mid-summer also brings a less glamorous reality: realizing your garage, closet, and kitchen have slowly devolved into a chaotic mountain of clutter.

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If you are currently tackling a summer purge to free up space before hosting your next gathering, I totally get the urge to toss everything into the blue bin and call it a day. However, New Jersey has strict, legally binding rules about what can actually go to the curb.

"Wish-cycling"—or throwing questionable items in the recycling bin hoping they will be recycled—is a major issue. In fact, tossing the wrong items can ruin entire batches of perfectly good recyclables or even damage local facilities.

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The Summer Clutter Culprits Ruining NJ Recycling

Before you haul your latest purge to the curb, make sure you aren't accidentally tossing these major offenders:

Greasy Pizza Boxes & BBQ Cardboard:

Summer pizza nights and takeout are elite, but oil-soaked cardboard cannot be recycled. The grease ruins the pulp processing. Toss the greasy parts in the trash or compost them.

Plastic Bags & Pool Float Wraps:

These are the absolute ultimate villains for recycling facility machinery. They tangle up the sorting gears and shut down entire plants. Take them to a grocery store drop-off instead.

Old Tech & Corroded Batteries:

Swapping out old summer gear? Electronics and lithium-ion batteries require specialized handling and are massive fire hazards in regular trucks.

When in doubt, don't guess. Check with your local NJ municipality for specialized drop-off days so you can keep Jersey clean, green, and beautiful all summer long!