Union County, NJ – March 15, 2022 —  The Union County Board of Commissioners reminds residents that the first free Household Hazardous Waste recycling event of 2022 will be held on Saturday, April 9, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Union County College, located at 1033 Springfield Avenue in Cranford.

Any Union County resident may participate, regardless of their home town.

“We encourage everyone to take advantage of this free, convenient opportunity to remove unwanted chemicals and other potentially hazardous items from the home and yard, and dispose of them safely,” said Commissioner Board Chair Rebecca Williams. “It’s a great way to make a real difference and help keep harmful substances out of the environment.”

The Household Hazardous Waste events are designed to ensure that residents can safely disposed of outdated or unwanted household cleansers, hobby supplies, yard treatments and other chemicals as well as many other items including mercury thermostats and thermometers, propane tanks, oil-based paint (no latex paint), 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.

These events are contact-free. Participants must remain in their vehicles while personnel 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.

Car tires are accepted at these events. There is a limit of eight automobile tires, without rims, per household.

For a complete list of the materials that will be accepted on April 9, and information about all Union County recycling programs, visit ucnj.org/recycle.

Please note that latex paint (water-based) wall paint is NOT accepted.  Residents wishing to dispose of latex 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 the paint, add kitty litter, newspaper or a commercially available paint hardener.

The Household Hazardous Waste collection events are 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.

For quick links to all environmental programs and activities in Union County visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

For more 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.