Decline in Recycling Hurts New Jersey's Environment and Budgets

Once at the cutting edge of the recycling revolution, the last decade has seen a precipitous drop-off in recycling in New Jersey. James M. O’Neill reports on the reasons for the decline and its effect on municipal finances.

1 minute read

May 11, 2012, 7:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


As the first state in the nation to mandate domestic recycling twenty-five years ago, New Jersey was once at the forefront of the recycling revolution. However, while recycling efforts in other parts of the country remain strong, helped by the "robust" market for recycled products, the share of recycled waste collected in the state has dropped from 59% of all waste in 1995 to 41% of all waste in 2009.

O'Neill attributes part of the decline to the economy, "Recycling has declined locally in part because of the recent
recession. Consumers with less money translated into fewer products
purchased - and less need for containers or packing boxes. In addition,
declines in advertising meant fewer newspapers, inserts and circulars to
be recycled. Still, many items that can be recycled aren't making it into the bins."

"There's a recycling malaise. Recycling seems to have leveled off at a
time when there should be a renewed commitment," said Judith Enck, the
Environmental Protection Agency's administrator for New York and New
Jersey. "It's crazy to be burying and burning these resources."   

Tuesday, May 8, 2012 in The Record

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

View of residential street in Los Angeles with palm trees and hazy city in distance.

Rebuilding Smarter: How LA County Is Guiding Fire-Ravaged Communities Toward Resilience

Los Angeles County is leading a coordinated effort to help fire-impacted communities rebuild with resilience by providing recovery resources, promoting fire-wise design, and aligning reconstruction with broader sustainability and climate goals.

April 27 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Entrance sign for San Jose-Santa Clara Regional wastewater treatment facility.

When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action

As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.

April 27 - * A Placemaking Journal

Rendering of Penrose Roundabout in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts

Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.

April 27 - WHYY