Enforcement

Essex County Solid Waste and Recycling Enforcement

In cooperation with the Solid Waste Advisory Council (SWAC), Essex County will meet six (6) times per year with local municipalities, recycling and solid waste transporters, facility management and housing authorities within the County to both assist and boost compliance with the County Recycling program as outlined in the Solid Waste Management Plan Update of 2006.

The Essex County Health Department (ECHD) will randomly inspect solid waste delivered tipped by both commercial and municipal contracted solid waste haulers at County designated solid waste facilities to assure that generators are not disposing of, or transporters are not tipping solid waste that contains more than 25% recyclable material. Violators can be issued a Notice of Violation and/or Summons in accordance with the NJDEP Solid Waste Rules found at N.J.A.C. 7:26 and the Solid Waste Utility Rules found at N.J.A.C. 7:26H, and/or the summary table supplied below from the County Solid Waste Management Plan.

Solid Waste Laws Summarized - For an overview of laws governing the control of solid waste from the local, County and State levels, please see this summary compiled by the NJ State League of Municipalities.

Important Enforcement Contacts

Who are the regulated, the regulators and what are the penalties?

What should you be doing to be in full compliance with local, County and State regulations?

Who should you contact to start, enhance or expand your recycling program?

Who should you contact in the event of a suspected violation?

County Inspection Protocol

Through the ECHD/CEHA Program, the solid waste control program shall also include periodic monitoring of on-site activities occurring at all solid waste facilities in operation within the County and monitoring of the activities of County designated solid waste disposal facilities, generators, collectors and haulers to ensure compliance with the County Solid Waste Management Plan, the Solid Waste Management Act (N.J.S.A. 13:1E-1 et seq.) and regulations promulgated at N.J.A.C. 7:26-2.1 et seq. Additionally, the ECHD shall conduct periodic monitoring of formerly operating solid waste facilities known to exist within Essex County, or such other monitoring of these closed and/or formerly operated facilities as directed by the NJDEP. These activities shall be performed by two (2) or more solid waste inspectors who shall be employed by the ECHD for this specific purpose. Essex County will particularly focus on compliance with general operational requirements set forth at N.J.A.C. 7:26-2.11 and requirements relating to the collection, recycling and transporting of solid waste pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:26-3 et seq. In order to implement this program, the ECHD shall undertake certain activities detailed below and further explained in the CEHA grant contract to ensure compliance with solid waste and recycling regulations throughout Essex County. Neither this work plan, nor any activities conducted there under, is in any way directed toward any matters whatsoever pertaining to hazardous waste.

Mandatory Facility Inspections