Different Recycling Approval Types in New Jersey: Explained!

What’s the Difference Between the Types of Recycling Approvals in New Jersey?

Starting a recycling business in New Jersey? One of the first hurdles you’ll face is figuring out which type of NJDEP recycling approval you need, and it’s not always straightforward. With multiple approval types and four distinct “classes” of recyclable materials, it’s easy to get stuck trying to make sense of it all.

That’s where this guide comes in. We’ll walk you through:

• The different types of NJ recycling approvals
• The four classes of recyclable materials (A, B, C, and D)
• How to figure out which approval fits your operation

Whether you're handling concrete, cardboard, or compost (or anything else!), by the end, you’ll have a much clearer path forward. And if you still have questions when you're done or want to get started on your New Jersey recycling approval, reach out to chat with an expert here! Let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

• Yes, You Do Need NJDEP Approval to Recycle in New Jersey!
  
  • The Four Classes of Recyclable Materials in New Jersey
• The 4 Legal Ways to Get Approved to Recycle in New Jersey
  
  • General Recycling Approvals
  • Limited Recycling Approvals
  • Recycling Exemptions
  • RD&D Recycling Approvals
• A Quick Comparison of All 4 Methods of Legal Recycling in NJ
• How to Get More Recycling Help in New Jersey
• Additional New Jersey Recycling Resources

Yes, You Do Need NJDEP Approval to Recycle in New Jersey!

Let’s get one thing out of the way: if you weren’t already aware that you need official approval from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to operate a recycling business, stop right here.

Before you go any further, we recommend checking out the foundational videos and blogs in the NJ recycling section of our Learning Center, where we break down the basics of NJ recycling regulations.

Long story short? If you’re planning to operate any kind of recycling business in New Jersey (even a small one), you need some sort of formal approval from the NJDEP. No exceptions.

But assuming you already know that… let’s move on.

The Four Classes of Recyclable Materials in New Jersey

Before we jump into the types of approvals, we need to introduce an important concept: material classes. In New Jersey, not all recyclable materials are treated the same. Every material falls into one of four categories, or “classes,” and each class has different handling and approval requirements.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Class A: Traditional recyclables like paper, cardboard, glass, metal, and plastic - mostly the stuff you’d recognize from curbside pickup programs.
• Class B: Construction and demolition materials, such as concrete, asphalt, untreated wood, roofing shingles, and tires.
• Class C: Organic and compostable materials like leaves, grass, brush, food waste, and yard trimmings.
• Class D: Universal waste and other special materials, including used oil, antifreeze, paint, e-waste, batteries, and fluorescent bulbs.

⚠️ Important: A recyclable material can only be classified in one category. You’ll need to determine your material’s class before pursuing the proper approval. Why does this matter? Because the class of material you’re working with directly impacts what type of approval you’ll need from the NJDEP.

So if you’re just getting started, the first step is to clearly identify what you’re recycling, then determine which class it falls under, then you can start to think about which approval is right for you.

The 4 Legal Ways to Get Approved to Recycle in New Jersey

Okay, so again, if you’re planning to recycle materials in New Jersey, you’ll need "some sort of approval" from the NJDEP... but there’s more than one way to get it. In fact, there are four main legal pathways that allow you to operate a recycling business in the state:

• General Recycling Approval
• Limited Recycling Approvals
• Recycling Exemptions
• RD&D Recycling Approvals

Each one fits a different type of business model, timeline, and material class, from short-term projects to full-scale facilities, and even innovative new technologies. In the sections that follow, we’ll walk through each of the four options, explain who they’re best for, and help you decide which one makes the most sense for your operation.

Let’s start with the most common type.

General Recycling Approvals

A General Recycling Approval is the most detailed, technical, and time-intensive type of recycling approval. The application process can be long, expensive, and very specific, but once approved, it gives you the green light to operate your recycling business legally.

This is what most people mean when they say, “I want to open a recycling facility in New Jersey.”

But here’s where it gets more nuanced...

General Approvals Are Based on Material Class

There isn’t just one General Approval. There are different versions depending on what class of material you intend to recycle:

• Class A General Approval
• Class B General Approval
• Class C General Approval
• Class D General Approval

For example:

• If you’re recycling concrete, asphalt, or wood, you’ll be seeking a Class B General Recycling Approval.
• If you’re composting leaves and grass, that’s a Class C General Recycling Approval.

It all comes back to knowing exactly what materials you’re working with, and what class they fall into - because that determines what you need to ask the NJDEP for.

The fastest way to check? Use our free tool below!

You Must Specify the Materials You’ll Be Recycling

Here’s where a lot of applicants get tripped up: a General Recycling Approval is not a blanket license. Let’s say you apply for a Class B General Approval. That doesn’t mean you automatically get to recycle all Class B materials.

You have to explicitly request approval for each material you want to recycle. So if you only list “concrete” in your application, and you’re approved, that’s it. Your facility can handle concrete only. If, six months later, you want to add asphalt shingles or wood, you’ll need to go through a formal modification process, which can be lengthy and costly.

That’s why it’s critical to think through your material list in advance. Otherwise, you may find yourself stuck later with an incomplete approval and no easy way to grow your business.

Can You Get Approval for Multiple Classes?

Yes, you can request a combined approval.

For instance, if you want to recycle Class B materials like concrete and asphalt, and Class C materials like leaves and grass, you would apply for a combined Class B & C General Recycling Approval, and then you'd need to specifically state which materials from each class you want to recycle in your application.

This is fairly common for companies looking to diversify their operations, but again, every material and class must be spelled out in the application, and it does make the process a little more difficult.

Bottom Line

A General Recycling Approval is the “big approval” in New Jersey. It’s what most facilities pursue and operate under. It’s complex, but it’s also the path to running a full-scale, NJDEP-compliant recycling business.

But be warned: it’s not one-size-fits-all. You’ll need to be crystal clear about:

✅ What materials you want to recycle
✅ What class each material falls under
✅ Whether you plan to expand in the future

Limited Recycling Approvals

If you're looking to recycle materials for a short-term project, and your focus is on Class B materials, then you might not need a full General Recycling Approval. Instead, the Limited Recycling Approval could be the right fit.

A Limited Recycling Approval is a temporary, NJDEP-issued approval that allows for the recycling of certain Class B materials for a short duration, typically 6 months.

This type of approval is ideal for project-based recycling activities that don’t require a long-term or permanent recycling facility. Let’s say you’re demolishing a large building and plan to:

• Process concrete, asphalt, or other Class B materials on-site
• Crush and recycle that material
• Sell or reuse it locally

That kind of activity could qualify for a Limited Approval, allowing you to recycle on location without going through the full General Approval process.

✅ Important note: Limited Approvals are not renewable. Once your timeline ends, the approval expires, and you must wrap up all recycling operations by that point.

Key Differences: Limited vs. General Approvals

If you're doing short-term, Class B recycling work (like crushing concrete at a construction site or grinding asphalt for reuse), a Limited Recycling Approval can save you time, paperwork, and money. But it’s not a substitute for a full, ongoing recycling business. Once the job’s done, so is the approval.

Recycling Exemptions

One of the most common ways to start a recycling business in New Jersey (especially at a smaller scale) is to operate under one of the 24 specific recycling exemptions established by the NJDEP. Exemption from what? From the need to get a General Recycling Approval or other formal solid waste permit!

Instead of going through the long, expensive approval process, you may be able to register and begin operating under a predefined exemption that applies to your recycling activity. These exemptions function more like a registration than a full-blown application - they’re faster, simpler, and ideal for:

• Contractors handling limited materials
• Facilities doing architectural salvage
• Landscaping and tree services handling yard debris
• Small businesses handling very specific, limited-scope recycling

If you’re launching a small-scale operation or want to test a concept, checking for an applicable exemption should be your first move. It can save you significant time, money, and red tape.

Just be aware:

• Each exemption is very specific in what it allows
• Many include strict limits on the type and volume of material you can process or store
• If you outgrow the exemption’s limits, you’ll need to upgrade to a General Approval

While exemptions are great for niche or low-volume operations, most commercial recycling businesses will eventually hit a point where the restrictions become too tight. At that point, you’ll likely need to pursue a General Recycling Approval to expand your materials, increase storage limits, or add more operational flexibility.

Research, Development & Design (RD&D) Recycling Approvals

Here's the final, lesser-known path into the recycling world in NJ. While most applicants go after a General Approval, a Research, Development and Design (RDD) Approval can be a smart, strategic option.

RDD approvals are short-term authorizations granted by the NJDEP to allow businesses to test out new technologies or processes for recycling or waste handling. They’re often used when:

• A new approach hasn’t yet been covered under existing NJ regulations
• The process is evolving and still being refined
• You’re handling a material type that doesn’t fit neatly into Class A–D categories
• You’re not ready to commit to a full General Approval, but want to demonstrate feasibility

💡 Example: A company experimenting with food waste-to-fuel technology might pursue an RDD to pilot their system before pursuing a long-term Class C or D General Approval.

RDD Approvals are temporary by design - typically valid for a limited time while the applicant gathers operational data and proves the concept. The NJDEP expects most RDD projects to eventually transition into a more formal approval (usually a General Recycling Approval) once the process has been validated and fine-tuned.

So, is an RDD approval right for you? Well, probably not, unless:

• You’re developing or applying a new technology
• You’re handling non-traditional recyclable materials
• You need flexibility for an R&D-style recycling pilot
• You’re preparing for a full General Approval down the road

For most recycling businesses, the RDD route isn’t applicable or necessary. But for innovators or startups tackling complex materials in new ways, it can be the perfect way to get started legally while you prove out your model.

A Quick Comparison of All 4 Methods of Legal Recycling in New Jersey 

Not Sure Which is Right For You? Here's Where to Get More Recycling Help in New Jersey!

If you're still feeling unsure about which recycling approval fits your situation best, or if you're ready to take the next step toward starting a recycling business in New Jersey, you're in the right place. At RMA, we specialize in navigating the complex world of NJDEP recycling approvals, and we've probably helped secure more General Approvals, Exemptions, Limited Approvals, and even RDD Approvals than anyone else in the state.

So, whether you're just exploring the idea, ready to submit your application, or stuck somewhere in between, we can help you cut through the confusion, avoid costly missteps, and move forward with confidence. Every successful project starts with a conversation. Tell us what you’re working on, we’ll help you figure out:

• What class of materials you plan to recycle
• Which approval type fits best
• How to structure your application
• And how to get to approval with as little stress as possible

Reach out to us here to get started on your New Jersey recycling business. We’ll help you build the clearest path to launching, the right way. Thanks for reading, and we look forward to helping you turn your recycling plans into reality.