Author: sperez

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce the final recycling events of the 2025 season. Residents are invited to participate in the last scrap metal recycling drop-offs of the 2025 season, taking place on Thursday, November 6th, and Saturday, November 15th, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., rain or shine. These programs are offered free of charge to all Union County residents.

“By working together with residents through our annual recycling program, we have significantly reduced the amount of waste going to local landfills while giving old, unused, or broken items a new purpose; it’s been a win-win for our environment and community,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “I want to encourage everyone to join us in finishing the year strong by taking part in these final scrap metal recycling events of the season, as we keep building a more sustainable future in Union County.”

As of the end of October, the Union County paper shredding and household hazardous waste (HHW) event seasons are complete.  The 2026 schedule should be released by January 1, 2026.  You will be able to find this schedule at the Union County’s Bureau of Recycling and Planning’s homepage, which is https://ucnj.org/recycling/. 

Union County will hold its final Scrap Metal events of the year on Thursday, November 6th Saturday, November 15th, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at two convenient locations:

• Cranford: Emergency Services Building, 151 Kenilworth Boulevard, Kenilworth
• 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 from April through November. 

All Union County recycling events are contact-free and drive-up only.  All of the events are held rain or shine.  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 from the NJDEP.

If you are in need of resources to help dispose of household hazardous waste or recycle scrap metal during the event off-season, or have any other recycling question, please do not hesitate to contact the Bureau of Recycling & Planning at 908-654-9890 or by filling out the online form at our website (ucnj.org/recycle/).  Residents may also contact their municipal recycling coordinator for more details about recycling in their community.

In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, the Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents to join two free webinars that focus on suicide prevention. The programs will be available on Zoom and Facebook Live on September 8 and September 10, 2025, and are presented by the Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Individual and Family Support Services and the Office on Behavioral Health and Substance Misuse.

“These events serve as a reminder that no one is ever truly alone,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M Leon. “National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month calls us to act. Even a small act of compassion can save a life. When we take the time to check in on one another and learn how to connect people to resources, we create a stronger, healthier community.”

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reports that suicide is the 11^th leading cause of death in the United States. In 2023, 49,316 Americans died by suicide – equaling approximately 1 death every 11 minutes. Additionally, many adults think about suicide or make an attempt. Data shows that 12.8 million individuals have seriously thought about suicide; 3.7 million made a plan, and 1.5 million attempted suicide. 91% of all adults surveyed in the United States think suicide can be prevented at least some of the time. Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and normalize seeking help. These webinars are designed to provide residents with knowledge and tools that can make a difference.

The first session, Make the Right Call, will take place on Monday, September 8, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Led by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ) and the NJ Mental Health Players, this webinar will give residents a closer look at what happens when someone calls the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Through role-play and interactive demonstrations, the NJ Mental Health Players will show how the hotline works in real time while helping to reduce stigma and encourage more open conversations about suicide prevention.

The second session, Life, Connected: How Relationships and Environments Prevent Suicide, will be held on Wednesday, September 10, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and facilitated by Caring Contact. This discussion will highlight how connection plays a key role in keeping people safe. Rather than focusing only on crisis response, the session will explore everyday protective factors, like meaningful relationships and supportive environments, that reduce the risk of suicide. Participants will walk away with practical ways to strengthen those connections at home, at work, and in their community.

“Suicide prevention is a shared responsibility,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados, Liaison to the Human Services Advisory Council. “These webinars are about giving residents the knowledge and confidence to recognize the signs, start difficult conversations, and connect people to support. When we come together as a community with that purpose, we build a stronger safety net where no one has to face their struggles alone.”

Residents can register for both webinars by visiting https://ucnj.org/mental-health/ If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or having suicidal thoughts, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988. Calls are free, confidential, and answered by trained crisis counselors in multiple languages.

For more information about Union County Human Services programs and activities, visit ucnj.org/dhs or call the DHS Action Line at 908-677-5405.

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for mosquitoes on Thursday, August 28, 2025, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Please 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.

Clark – Parkway Dr.., Highland Pl., Blake Dr., Feather Bed Ln., Old Raritan Rd., Frances Dr., St. Agnes Back Parking lot. Kennedy Dr., Ridge Rd., Fairview Rd. Area, Brookside Ter., Deerwood Dr.

Cranford – Carpenter Pl. Area

Hillside – Conant St., Harvard Ave., Cornell Ave., John St., Eastern Pkwy., McLean Pl. area

Kenilworth – Dorset Dr. Area, Water Co. Rd.

Linden – Tremley Pt. Area, Range Rd.

Plainfield – Huntington Ave. between Plainfield Ave. and Maltby Ave., Cushing Rd., Knollwood Ct., Cushing Pl., Worth Dr., Watchung Ave, E. 4^th and 5^th St. City Hall Area

Rahway – Elston St., Randolph Ave., Leesville Av. Area, Egolf Dr., Linden Ave., Walking Path between Whittier St. and Linden Ave.

Roselle Park – Hawthorne St., W. Grant Ave., Walking Path between Galloping Hill Rd. and Chestnut St.

Scotch Plains – Pheasant Ln., Church St., Portland Ave., North and South Ave. between Hetfield Ave. and Crossway

Springfield – Oakland Ave., Waverly Ave., Cottage Ln.

Winfield Park – U.C. Parkway Dr.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is now seeking volunteers for the 2025 Master Gardener training program, beginning in January. Residents who are interested in horticulture and gardening can gain valuable skills, make new connections, and become valuable assets to the community by joining the Master Gardeners of Union County.

“The Master Gardener program offers residents the chance to learn practical horticultural skills they can apply at home and share with neighbors and friends while also benefiting the community through their volunteer efforts,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “This program is exceptional, and we are pleased to continue supporting its growth. We encourage gardeners of all experience levels to apply and join this wonderful community.”

This year, Union County will be participating in a pilot program for the Rutgers Master Gardener Volunteer Training. Orientation Zoom meetings will be hosted by Rutgers for residents interested in becoming Master Gardeners. These sessions provide an opportunity for applicants to learn more about the program before joining.

Residents who wish to participate in the 2025 training program must register and attend at least one of the virtual orientation sessions, which are offered twice a week until the beginning of December. You can register at njaes.rutgers.edu/master-gardeners/. 

Orientation session space is limited to 40 participants for each session, allowing plenty of time and opportunity for questions and discussion.  Register today by visiting to secure your spot in an orientation session.

“By engaging in volunteer work, participants gain a deeper understanding of the positive impacts their contributions have on our environment and the community at large,” said Union County Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, Liaison to the Rutgers Cooperative Extension. “The Master Gardener Program is one of the many volunteer opportunities offered in Union County. I encourage residents to look into the program and attend an orientation session to find out if it’s a good fit for them.”

Classes will be held on Wednesday mornings at the Trailside Nature and Science Center, located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.  The new course will feature horticultural training with an emphasis on the volunteer aspects of being a Rutgers Master Gardener.  The classroom is conveniently located by the 1.5-acre demonstration garden and greenhouse at Trailside, maintained by Master Gardeners.

Additional information for applying to the program in Union County will be provided to those who attend the orientation session. You will be asked to complete an application form. The Master Gardeners of Union County will be accepting 25 students into the 2025 Program.   

The Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County is a volunteer program offered through Rutgers Cooperative Extension, NJ Agriculture Experiment Stations and Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, in cooperation with the Union County Board of County Commissioners.  It is supported in Union County by the Commissioner Board, with administrative assistance and office space in Berkeley Heights, land for the Demonstration Garden, and funding for special projects.

For questions or more information on the 2025 Master Gardener Training Program, call 908-654-9854 ext. 2 or visit mastergardeners-uc.org. For more information about all Extension projects and activities in Union County, including Master Gardeners, Master Tree Stewards and the 4-H youth development program, visit ucnj.org/rutgers-cooperative-extension-of-union-county/.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. Contact your local Extension Office for information regarding special needs or accommodations. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 848-932-3584.