ELIZABETH, NJ - Union County residents can take advantage of a simple, easy way to safely and properly dispose of unwanted household chemicals and other chemical wastes at the County's next free Household Hazardous Waste recycling event, which is set for June 6 -- from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. -- in the back parking lot of Union County College in Cranford.
The Household Hazardous Waste event provides an environmentally safe way to dispose of outdated or unwanted household chemicals, mercury thermostats and thermometers, propane tanks, and automobile tires among many other items such as oil-based paint (NO LATEX) 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), and mercury switches.
Only materials in original or labeled containers will be accepted. No containers larger than five gallons will be accepted.
Car tires will also be collected during this event. There is a limit of eight automobile tires, without rims, per household.
Residents must observe the following rules for preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus:
- Residents must 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.
Note that latex paint (water-based) wall paint is NOT accepted. Residents wishing to dispose of latex paint are advised to use it, or dry the paint in the can and discard it in regular garbage with the lid off. To help dry out paint, residents can add kitty litter, newspaper or a product called waste paint hardener.
For a complete list of the materials that will be accepted on June 6 as well as all upcoming recycling event dates and locations, visit ucnj.org/recycle.
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, call the Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.