Union County to Hold Final Free Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Event for Residents on Oct. 27

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites all Union County residents to participate in the final Household Hazardous Waste event of the 2024 season. The free event will be held on Sunday, October 27th, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Union County Vo-Tech Campus in Scotch Plains.

"Our Household Hazardous Waste events provide residents with the opportunity to responsibly eliminate unwanted chemicals and other potentially hazardous items from their homes and yards, ensuring their safe and proper disposal," said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. "By taking part, you are not only safeguarding your own living space but also championing the well-being of our entire community and ecosystem. I encourage all residents to participate in our Household Hazardous waste event before we close for the season."

Household Hazardous Waste events provide Union County residents with a free and environmentally safe way to dispose of obsolete or unwanted household chemicals, mercury thermostats and thermometers, propane tanks, and many other items such as oil-based paint (no latex paint) and varnish, antifreeze, aerosol cans, pool chemicals, corrosives, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, thinners, fire extinguishers, motor oil and oil filters, gasoline, batteries, thermostats, fluorescent light bulbs (intact), mercury switches, and more. The Union County Police Department will also be on-site to handle the proper disposal of fireworks and ammunition that residents may have.

Union County Household Hazardous Waste events are contactless. Participants must remain in their vehicles while site staff unload their waste items. Only materials in original or labeled packaging will be accepted. Containers larger than five gallons will not be accepted.

Car, bicycle and motorcycle tires will also be accepted at this event. There is a limit of 8 tires (without rims) per household.

For a list of materials that will be accepted on October 27th, visit https://ucnj.org/recycling/household-special-waste. For information on other Union County recycling programs, visit https://ucnj.org/recycling/.

Please note that latex (water-based) wall paint is NOT accepted at household hazardous waste events. Residents who wish to dispose of latex paint are encouraged to use it, donate it, or dry the paint in the can and dispose of it in regular household trash without the lid. To help dry the paint, add kitty litter, newspaper, or a product called a residual paint hardener (which can be purchased at paint or home improvement stores).

The Household Hazardous Waste collection event will be held rain or shine, for Union County residents only, not businesses. Proof of Union County residency is required. For more information, call the Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.