Program Overview
The new plastic film recycling program enables Union County residents to bring their clean, dry plastic bags, bubble wrap and other types of plastic film to a local collection site for recycling.
The program launched with an initial cohort of 12 municipalities.
Residents can check their municipal website for up-to-date details about drop-off locations and schedules, or use the free Recycle Coach app.
What to Recycle
In order to ensure a high-quality recycling stream, only the following items are accepted:
- From the store: produce bags, store bags, and ice bags
- From the pantry: Ziploc and other re-closable bags, cereal box liners, case overwrap (for example a case of bottled water), and bread bags
- From the front door: newspaper sleeves, bubble wrap, and plastic e-commerce mailers
As a reminder, only flexible plastic film may be recycled through this program. No clamshells, casings, containers or other hard plastic items are accepted.
Where Does it Go?
After residents bring their plastic film to the local drop-off location, it is consolidated and shipped to the company Trex, which will use it as raw material in their facility in Virginia.
Trex is the world’s largest manufacturer of high-performance, low-maintenance composite decking and other outdoor living products items made from recycled materials. More information about Trex is available at trex.com.
Drop-off Sites
Berkeley Heights
DPW Yard – 101 Berkeley Avenue
- ONLY on the first and third Saturday of the month from 9 am – noon. The township no longer accepts plastic film during regular Monday-Friday business hours.
- *Collection events are subject to change due to inclement weather*
Cranford
Conservation Center – 210 Birchwood Avenue
- Anytime the center is open. Please check the website for exact days and hours of operation
Elizabeth
523 Trenton Avenue
- Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Saturday-Sunday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Fanwood
Multiple locations
- Public Works Garage (1 Fanwood Pl)
- Monday-Friday 8 am – 11 am by appointment.
- Residents are encouraged to call ahead before dropping off materials.
- Recycling Center
- On days the Recycling Center is open.
- Please refer to the recycling schedule mailed to each residence or visit the borough website for the Recycling Center’s days and hours of operation.
- *Physical brochures are available at Borough Hall (75 N. Martine Avenue) Monday-Thursday from 8 am – 4 pm and Fridays from 8 am – noon during the summer*
Garwood
Recycling Center on the dead end of Willow Avenue, behind the Public Works facility.
- On specified dates found under the public works heading at www.garwood.org
Hillside
274 Hillside Avenue (rear building of the Community Center/ William H. Buie Center)
- Monday – Friday 7:30 am to 3:30 pm
Kenilworth
DPW Yard – 401 Sheridan Avenue
- Monday-Friday from 7 am – 2:30 pm, except for Holidays.
- *Schedule is subject to change without notice*
New Providence
DPW Yard – 29 Park Place
- First and Third Saturday of each month 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Scotch Plains
DPW Yard, 2445 Plainfield Avenue
- Thursdays 7:00 am – 2:00 pm; except on holidays
Springfield
Residential Recycling Convenience Center/Municipal Pool parking lot – 44 Morrison Road
- Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 7:30 am to 11:30 am during e-waste, vegetative waste, and Styrofoam drop -off
Summit
Municipal Transfer Station – 40 New Providence Avenue
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 7:30 am to 3:45 pm
- Saturdays 7:30 am to 4:45 pm
- Residents need City of Summit resident permit to utilize facility.
- No other County residents can drop off at this location without permission from the County or City of Summit.
- If you have any questions, please call the Summit Community Service phone number: 908-273-6404
Union
Recycling Convenience Center – 1 Swanstrom Place
- Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Westfield
Conservation Center – 1300 Lamberts Mill Road
- Anytime the Conservation Center is open.
- Check the website for exact days and hours of operation.