New Jersey Solid Waste Law Compliance

A-901 License Applications

Companies that transport solid waste are required by law to obtain an A-901 license from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (or “DEP” for short). The DEP heavily monitors and regulates solid waste transportation to protect our environment from illegal dumping, particularly of waste that could be toxic or have a lasting impact on the ecosystem around us. That means obtaining one of these licenses is a long, complex, and involved process, frequently requiring extensive amounts of paperwork, declarations, and application fees for everyone involved with the application.

The A-901 license application is a four-step process:

1. Application: The application process for an A-901 license has many different parts and typically requires all owners, officers, directors, and key personnel in the company to submit personal history disclosures. Additionally, if a company is affiliated with another, all key personnel at the affiliated company will be required to submit these disclosures as well. Each of these personnel will also need to submit fingerprints and clear a background check with the New Jersey State Police.
2. Preliminary approval: Companies are initially given a preliminary acceptance for their A-901 license, and they must complete a DEP workshop for education on waste disposal and transportation rules and requirements. The DEP may also require that a company and key personnel meet with an attorney or another information resource to receive further information about their specific obligations based on their business. These first two steps generally take about a year to complete, though times can vary.
3. Obtain a CPCN: Once the DEP has granted preliminary approval, waste haulers need to complete a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity application, or CPCN. This essentially requires applying companies to disclose their business plan, including anticipated operations and revenue. This generally takes about a month to complete.
4. Register vehicles and obtain decals: Once the CPCN is approved, applying companies need to register their vehicles and equipment with the DEP. Each registered vehicle will receive a decal that identifies the vehicle as a fully authorized and licensed waste transport vehicle.