NJDEP New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection: Recycled Content Law under Sustainable Waste Management

On January 18th, 2022, Governor Murphy signed the Recycled Content Law (N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.135-157), which is intended to stimulate recycling markets by requiring manufacturers to meet minimum recycled content standards for regulated containers and packaging products sold or offered for sale in New Jersey. Manufacturers of regulated containers and packaging products are required to register with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) beginning July 18, 2022, and annually thereafter.

There are two types of registration :

Initial registration is for manufacturers registering for the first time.
Annual renewal is for manufacturers that have already completed an initial registration and received a Facility ID from NJDEP Online.

Manufacturers that produce or generate only products that are exempt from the postconsumer recycled content requirements are required to register only once. All exemptions must be listed in the registration.

Instructions for how to submit each type of registration are provided below.

When Should I Register?

Manufacturers are required to register between September 1 and December 31 of each year. The initial registration and annual renewal services are both currently closed. The NJDEP will not accept registrations until the 2025 registration cycle opens on September 1, 2025.

Manufacturers that are seeking to file a registration for 2025 should return to this page between September 1 and December 31, 2025.

Registration Fees

A $1,000 registration fee is required. Registrants may submit payment via credit card or eCheck, or they may opt to receive a bill by mail. Registrations submitted by manufacturers selecting to be billed at a later date will not be reviewed until payment is received.

Manufacturers are exempt from the registration fee if either of the following apply:

Generate less than $5,000,000 in global gross revenue.
Produce or generate only products that are exempt from the postconsumer recycled content requirements.

+1. Initial Registration

Initial Registration Instructions

The NJDEP developed a walk-through of the initial registration process to assist manufacturers with registration. The recording of the walk-through along with the accompanying presentation can be accessed from the table below.

To file an initial registration, the first step is to complete the Regulated Containers and Packaging Products Spreadsheet found below to identify all of the containers and packaging products generated by the manufacturer that are regulated under the law, including all containers and packaging products that are exempt from the postconsumer recycled content requirements. Instructions can be found in the first tab of the spreadsheet.

Resource Name:	Access:
Regulated Containers and Packaging Products Spreadsheet
Manufacturer Initial Registration Walk-Through Recording
Manufacturer Initial Registration Walk-Through Presentation

After completing the Regulated Containers and Packaging Products Spreadsheet, manufacturers need to create an account on NJDEP Online. Click the link below and follow the registration instructions on the right of the screen for a new user. You must have a valid email address to register an account and gain access to NJDEP Online. If you have an existing account with NJDEP Online, please log in and proceed using the instructions below.

Once an account has been created, enter the registered services portal, and configure services to add Recycled Content Manufacturer Registration under the Solid and Hazardous Waste section to your Service Selection. Proceed with registration by clicking the link for manufacturer registration and follow the prompts on the screens that follow.

Please note that the registration fee generated by NJDEP Online for manufacturers filing an Initial Registration will be based on the year the manufacturer began selling regulated containers or packaging products into New Jersey. For example, a manufacturer that began selling regulated containers or packaging products in New Jersey in 2022 will be billed $1,000 for each year the manufacturer failed to register with the NJDEP.

After submitting the registration, you will receive a confirmation email that the initial registration was submitted successfully. You will receive a follow-up confirmation email once the Department has reviewed the registration and deemed it in compliance with all applicable requirements. Please retain both emails for future reference. If the NJDEP has any concerns or questions with the submitted registration, NJDEP staff will reach out to the manufacturer directly.

+2. Annual Renewal

Annual Renewal Instructions

The NJDEP has revised the Regulated Containers and Packaging Products Spreadsheet. To file an annual renewal, manufacturers are required to complete and upload the new version of the spreadsheet, which can be accessed below. The manufacturer is responsible for ensuring the contents of the spreadsheet are accurate and up-to-date.

To download the latest version of the spreadsheet, please click the download icon in the table below:

Resource Name:	Download:
Regulated Containers and Packaging Products Spreadsheet
Certification Instructions for Annual Renewals

After completing the Regulated Containers and Packaging Products Spreadsheet, manufacturers must log in to the NJDEP Online account created during the initial registration process.

Link to NJDEP Online

The NJDEP has developed instructions for manufacturers experiencing difficulties with the electronic certification section of the registration service. Certifications must be signed by an individual with the access type "Responsible Official." To change the access type associated with a DEP Online account, please see the file above titled “Changing Access Type in DEP Online.”

After submitting an annual renewal, you will receive a confirmation email that the registration was submitted successfully. You will receive a follow-up confirmation email once the Department has reviewed the registration and deemed it in compliance with all applicable requirements. Please retain both emails for future reference. If the NJDEP has any concerns or questions with the submitted registration, NJDEP staff will reach out to the manufacturer directly.

+3. Registration Assistance

Registration Assistance

The resources below provide information and assistance to manufacturers that are experiencing technical difficulties with registration in DEP Online or have questions about the registration process.

Resource Name:	Access:
Registration Assistance and Guidance
Manufacturer Registration in DEP Online: Step-by-Step Guidance
Certification Instructions for Annual Renewals

If assistance is needed at any point, please contact NJDEP - Division of Sustainable Waste Management at recycledcontent@dep.nj.gov.

Manufacturer Registration for New Jersey's Recycled Content Law

When Should I Register?

Registration Fees

Initial Registration Instructions

Annual Renewal Instructions

Registration Assistance