The Union County Board of Commissioners is happy to inform residents that the first free Household Hazardous Waste event for the 2024 season will be held on Saturday, April 6th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Union County VoTech’s West Hall/Police Academy Lot, located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains. There will be ample signage onsite to guide residents to the event. All Union County residents are welcome to participate.
“We have organized the Household Hazardous Waste events to provide residents with a safe and free method to dispose of hazardous items and chemicals. Our goal with this initiative still remains to protect the environment by preventing the spread of dangerous substances and promoting cleaner and healthier homes,” said Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “By taking part in these events, you can be confident that these items are being responsibly disposed of, and prevent any harm they may cause to the environment.”
The Household Hazardous Waste events provide Union County residents with a free, environmentally safe way to dispose of outdated or unwanted household chemicals, mercury thermostats and thermometers, propane tanks, and asbestos among many other items such as oil-based paint and varnish, antifreeze, aerosol cans, pool chemicals, corrosives, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, thinners, fire extinguishers, motor oil and oil filters, gasoline, batteries, thermostats, fluorescent bulbs (unbroken), mercury switches, and more. Automobile, bicycle and motorcycle tires will also be accepted (limit of 8 per household with rims off).
Please note that latex/ acrylic paint (water-based) wall paint is NOT accepted. Residents wishing to dispose of latex/ acrylic paint are advised to use it, donate it, or dry the paint in the can and discard it in regular household garbage with the lid off. To help dry out paint, add kitty litter, newspaper, or a product called waste paint hardener.
Union County’s Household Hazardous Waste events are drop-off only and contact-free. Participants should load items in their trunk or other area that can be easily accessed by staff.
Participants must remain in their vehicles while staff at the site unload their waste items.
Only materials in original or labeled containers will be accepted. No containers larger than five gallons will be accepted.
For a complete list of the acceptable materials and information about all Union County recycling programs, please visit https://ucnj.org/recycling/household-special-waste/.
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. For more information, please call the Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.