Residents can safely dispose of common household chemicals and other special wastes at this event.
Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Commissioners reminds residents that the next free Household Hazardous Waste event of 2021 will be held on Saturday, October 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Union County Vo-Tech Schools campus, located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains. This event will be the last for 2021. The series will resume again in 2022.
Any Union County resident may participate, regardless of their home town.
“Union County’s Household Hazardous Waste events provide a free, convenient opportunity for residents to remove unwanted chemicals and other potentially hazardous items from their homes and yards, and dispose of them safely,” said Commissioner Board Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “It’s an easy way to make a real difference and help keep harmful substances out of the environment.”
Accepted items include outdated or unwanted household cleansers and other chemicals, mercury thermostats and thermometers, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, automobile tires (limit of eight per household), oil-based paint and varnish (no latex paint), antifreeze, aerosol cans, pool chemicals, corrosives, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, thinners, motor oil and oil filters, gasoline, batteries, thermostats, fluorescent bulbs (unbroken), mercury switches, and more.
Only materials in original or labeled containers will be accepted. No containers larger than five gallons will be accepted.
For a complete list of accepted materials, visit ucnj.org/recycling/household-special-waste.
Please note that latex paint (water-based) wall paint is NOT accepted. Unwanted latex paint should be used, donated, or dried in the can and discarded in regular household garbage, with the lid off. To help dry out paint, add kitty litter, newspaper or a commercial paint hardener.
The Household Hazardous Waste collection event will be held rain or shine, for Union County residents only, not for businesses. Proof of Union County residency is required.
Union County’s Household Hazardous Waste events are contact-free. Participants must observe the following rules for avoiding accidents and preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus:
- Arrive by vehicle only. No walk-ins accepted.
- Driver and all passengers must wear face coverings at all times.
- Driver and all passengers must stay in vehicle at all times.
- Car windows must be kept closed at all times.
- Materials should be placed in trunk, cargo area or truck bed where they can be easily identified and accessed by staff, who will remove them.
For more information about all recycling programs in Union County, download the free Recycle Coach app, visit Union County online at ucnj.org/recycling, or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.
For quick links to all environmental programs and activities in Union County visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.
For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
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