This information is subject to change. We strongly encourage you call the Union County Human Services Action Line at 908-677-5405 to ensure the cooling center you plan on utilizing is open.
Elizabeth
Fred Erxleben Rec. Center
8:30 AM – 10:00 PM
513 Richmond St.
Mickey Walker Rec. Center
8:30 AM – 10:00 PM
860 Anna St.
Peterson Community Center
8:30 AM – 10:00 PM
418 Palmer St.
Hillside
Hillside Community Center
8 AM – 8 PM
274 Hillside Avenue
Linden
Linden Public Library
Monday – Wednesday
9:00 AM – 9 PM
31 East Henry Street
John T. Gregorio Recreation Center
Monday – Friday
8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
330 Helen Street
Linden Multi-Purpose Center
Monday – Friday
9 AM – 8 PM
1025 John Street
New Providence
DeCorso Community Center – Card Room
June 19 – June 21
10 AM – 6 PM
15 East Fourth St.
Plainfield
Senior Center
June 18 – June 21
8 AM – 8 PM
Corner of 400 East Front and Church St.
Roselle
Amalfe Community Center
1268 Shaffer Avenue
Roselle Park
Casano Community Center
June 20 – June 21
10 AM – 9 PM
314 Chestnut St.
Scotch Plains
Tuesday June 18, 2024,
Municipal Building Courtroom
9:00am to 4:00pm
Scotch Plains Public Library,
9:30am – 5:00pm
Wednesday June 19, 2024
Municipal Building Courtroom
9:00am to 5:30pm
Library is closed
Thursday June 20, 2024
Municipal Building
9:00am to 1:00pm
Library
9:30am to 9:00pm
Friday June 21, 2024
Library
9:30 – 5:00pm
Saturday June 22, 2024
Library
9:30am – 5:00pm
Springfield
Chisholm Community Center
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
8:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Thursday, June 20, 2024
8:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Friday, June 21, 2024
8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
100 South Springfield Avenue (corner of Shunpike Road)
Learn how to help the environment and teach about the importance of trees – no experience necessary.
Union County residents who are looking for a fun and rewarding civic service project can join the 4-H Master Tree Steward program and learn how to “speak for the trees.” Master Tree Stewards are community volunteers who visit 4th grade classrooms each spring to present an interactive lesson on trees. No experience is needed. All training and classroom materials are provided by the Master Tree Steward program.
“The Master Tree Stewards program is a wonderful way for volunteers to make a meaningful impact right here in Union County,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “By sharing knowledge about trees and the environment with young students, you can help inspire the next generation to care for the natural world. It’s a simple, but powerful way to build a stronger and greener future.”
Each fall, the Master Tree Steward program offers a series of training sessions, consisting mainly of guided walks in nearby parks and nature reserves. Easy reading assignments, indoor classes, and a simple project are also part of the program. The entire program, including a tree identification guide, is covered by a $25.00 administrative fee.
Applicants who complete the series obtain a Master Tree Steward certificate and are qualified to teach lessons about trees to 4th grade classrooms in the spring. The program provides a complete lesson plan along with posters, seeds and other supplies.
The 2025 fall training series will meet every Wednesday from September 3rd to December 10th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., except for any holiday that falls on a Wednesday.
The 4th grade classroom visit schedule takes place on Wednesdays from January to June. Certified Master Tree Stewards are requested to choose 6 dates for their visits. Each visit takes approximately one hour, typically from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
To apply, or for more information please contact Union County 4-H Youth Development at James Nichnadowicz at 908-654-9854 (ext.3), or jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.
The Master Tree Steward program is run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, as part of a statewide program under the umbrella of the Rutgers New Jersey Agriculture Experiment Station. For information on all Extension programs in Union County, including Master Gardeners, Environmental Stewards and 4-H clubs for youth, visit ucnj.org/rce.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to continue offering seasonal recycling opportunities in July. Residents are welcome to participate in this free annual program, which allows for the safe and secure disposal of personal documents, scrap metal, and hazardous household items at designated drop-off locations throughout Union County.
“Our seasonal recycling programs have been highly successful in reducing waste, eliminating pollutants, and protecting our ecosystem thanks to the active participation and contributions of our residents,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “Your involvement matters, and encourages us to continue seeking new ways to make recycling easier and more accessible for all community members. By working together, we’ll continue to transform waste into opportunities, preserve vital natural resources, and ensure that Union County remains green and beautiful for generations.”
Residents are encouraged to securely shred personal documents at the upcoming mobile paper shredding event, taking place on Thursday, July 10th,from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All documents are shredded on-site, and the shredded paper is taken to a recycling facility for processing. The event will be held in the lot adjacent to the Park Services yard (across the swimming pool) at Rahway River Park, located off St. George’s Avenue in Rahway. The event will conclude before 1:00 p.m., should the trucks fill up first.
This event is part of Union County’s annual paper shredding program, which runs each year from March through October. The shredding events are open to all residents, regardless of their municipality, and are intended for the disposal of personal and sensitive documents only. Residents can recycle magazines, junk mail, and other papers through their municipal recycling program. Please remove all bindings, large plastic or metal clips, and other paraphernalia prior to the event (staples are allowed). Pre-shredded, damp, or wet paper will not be accepted.
Union County’s Scrap Metal Recycling Program also continues in July, providing residents with an opportunity to recycle various metal items. Drop-off events will be held on Thursday, July 3rd, and Saturday, July 19th, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at two convenient locations:
Rahway: Rahway River Park (follow Park Drive, Rahway off St. George’s Avenue to service yard across from swimming pool)
Accepted items include refrigerators (with doors removed), metal cabinets, appliances, bicycles, aluminum scrap, air conditioners, and other metal household goods. The scrap metal program runs on the first Thursday and third Saturday of each month, April through November.
Union County’s next Household Hazardous Waste event will take place on Saturday, September 6th, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Kean University’s Kean Hall Parking Lot, located at 1000 Morris Avenue in Union. At these events, residents can bring a variety of household chemicals for proper recycling or disposal. These items include, but are not limited to, oil-based finishes, motor oil, gasoline, propane tanks, pool chemicals, pesticides, fluorescent lightbulbs, and more. Latex (water-based) paint (wall paint) will not be accepted. Residents are advised to dry latex paint out at home using commercial paint hardener, sand, kitty litter, or sawdust. Once hardened, it can be thrown in your household trash.
All Union County recycling events are contact-free and drive-up only. Residents must remain in their cars while staff unloads materials from their trunks.
Union County Recycling Programs are funded through Recycling Enhancement Act (REA) funds, which are applied for and received by the County of Union.
For a complete schedule and more information on all recycling programs hosted by Union County, please visit ucnj.org/recycle/ or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889. Residents may also contact their municipal recycling coordinator for more details about recycling in their community.
Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for mosquitoes Thursday, June 12, 2025, between the hours of 6:00PM to 11:00PM (Weather Permitting). Check below for a list of areas to be sprayed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Union County Office of Mosquito Control at 908-654-9834 or 908-654-9835.
Berkeley Hts. – Grant St. Area, Camptown Dr. Area
Clark – King St. Area
Fanwood – Fanwood D.P.W.
Hillside – Harvard Av., Cornell Pl., John St. Area,
Kennilworth – Dorset Dr. Area, Water Company Rd.
Linden – Tremley Pt. Area, Range Rd., Bradford Ave., Lexington Ave., Marion Ave.
Rahway – Elizabeth Av., Donald Ave. Area, Randolph Ave. Leesville Ave. Area, Midwood Dr. Area
Scotch Plains – Frank St., Country Club Ln., Raritan Rd., South Ave., North Ave. Hetfield Ave.
Springfield – Cottage Ln., Marion Ave. Area
Summit – Kent Pl., Summit Recycling Center
Union – Rahway Ave., Gifford Ct., Interlux Paint Property
Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be Spraying County and City Parks Wednesday morning, June 11, 2025, between the hours of 3:00 A.M. to 7:00 A.M. (Weather Permitting). Check below for the list of Parks to be sprayed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Union County Office of Mosquito Control at 908-654-9834 or 908-654-9835.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites seniors and caregivers to the upcoming Aging Services Kiosk (ASK) events in June to explore the wide range of senior programs and resources available. These events allow attendees to meet face-to-face with experienced professionals who can provide expert guidance and assistance with a variety of services, including form completion. Bilingual staff will be available on several dates in June to provide support in Spanish.
“Our ASK events are held year-round to ensure that all older adults in our community, along with their caregivers, have access to vital resources and feel supported as they navigate these later stages of life,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “I encourage all seniors and caregivers who have not yet had the opportunity to attend, to visit one of our ASK events in June for a completely free consultation with one of our friendly experts.”
The Aging Services Kiosk is operated explicitly by the Division on Aging, a branch of the Union County Department of Human Services. It offers adults aged 60 and older, along with their caregivers, a friendly and convenient avenue to discover valuable programs and services and speak individually with a Division on Aging professional.
Staff at ASK locations can help older adults and caregivers connect with various services, including home-delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care, and support services for caregivers. Any Union County senior or caregiver can visit any ASK kiosk, regardless of their hometown. No appointment or pre-registration is needed. Below are the upcoming ASK events in June:
“The Commissioner Board is proud to continue working hand in hand with the Division on Aging in our shared goal of empowering the senior community in Union County,” said Union County Commissioner James Baker, Liaison to the Advisory Council on Aging. “Whether you need help filling out forms, accessing healthy meals, transportation support, or anything else, we’re here to assist you in any way we can.”
For more information about the ASK events and any other services for seniors in Union County, contact the Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection at 1-888-280-8226 toll-free or visit online atucnj.org/dhs/aging.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce the expansion of its textile recycling program. In addition to the original municipalities of Plainfield, Summit, and Scotch Plains, the county will now be collaborating with the Township of Cranford. This partnership aims to develop more sustainable solutions for reducing clothing and textile waste in our community.
“Since launching our textile recycling program a few months ago, we have already significantly reduced waste in our county, demonstrating the positive outcomes we can achieve when we come together to create a greener, more environmentally responsible community,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “Our collaboration with Cranford further expands our network of drop-off locations for recycling unwanted clothing and other items, making it easier and even more convenient for residents to participate in this innovative program.”
Since its launch, Union County, Helpsy, and partner municipalities have successfully diverted over 23,000 pounds of textiles from the waste stream.
The new Helpsy drop-off location for unwanted items is now set up at the Cranford Conservation Center, located at 210 Birchwood Avenue, between Orange Avenue and Cranford Avenue. The Center operates on Wednesdays from 9:20 a.m. to 3:20 p.m., Saturdays from 9:20 a.m. to 3:50 p.m., and Sundays from 9:20 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.
Helpsy extends the useful life of clothing by connecting clothes to the best end use: reuse or recycling (https://www.helpsy.com/). Helpsy is a certified B Corporation and a Public Benefit Corporation with a mission to keep clothes out of the trash and to create honorable work.
For more information regarding this Union County recycling program and other programs, please visit the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning homepage at https://ucnj.org/recycling/.
Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for mosquitoes Thursday, June 5, 2025, between the hours of 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM (Weather Permitting). Check below for a list of areas to be sprayed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Union County Office of Mosquito Control at 908-654-9834 or 908-654-9835.
Berkeley Hts. – Grant St. Area, Camptown Dr. Area
Clark – Kennedy Dr., Fairview Rd., Ridge Rd., Avon Rd., Byron Pl., Emerald Pl.
Fanwood – Fanwood D.P.W.
Hillside – Harvard Av., Cornell Pl., John St. Area,
Kennilworth – Michigan Ave., Dorset Dr. Area
Linden – Tremley Pt. Area, Range Rd., Bradford Ave., Lexington Ave., Marion Ave.
Plainfield – Jefferson Av. Area.
Rahway – Leesville Av. Area, Elston St. Randolph Av., Elizabeth Av., Donald Ave. Area,
Roselle – Pine St., Holly Dr., Cherry St., Birch Dr. Area, Path by RXR Tracks
Scotch Plains – Frank St., White Oak Rd., Pheasant Ln., South Ave.
Springfield – Riverside Dr., Washington Ave., Battlehill Ave., Joanne Way
Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying County and Town Parks Thursday morning, June 5 2025, between the hours of 3:00 A.M. to 7:00 A.M. (Weather Permitting). Check below for the list of Parks to be sprayed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Union County Office of Mosquito Control at 908-654-9834 or 908-654-9835.
