Free Recycling Events This October
The Union County Board of County Commissioners would like to remind residents about several free recycling events taking place throughout October
- Ample signage will be posted at all events to direct residents to the appropriate drop-off locations. All events will be held rain or shine.
- For additional information, please visit www.ucnj.org/recycling.
- Residents are also encouraged to download the Recycle Coach app for the latest information and reminders about Union County recycling events
Paper Shredding Event – Saturday, October 10
Union County will host a Paper Shredding Event at the Berkeley Heights Municipal Building, 29 Park Avenue, Berkeley Heights
- Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Limit: 10 pounds of paper or four bags or boxes per vehicle
- Drive-up only
The event may end early if the shredding trucks reach capacity. Business documents will not be accepted.
The shredding program is intended for confidential and sensitive materials, including medical records, legal documents, and financial documents. Junk mail, flyers, magazines, and other non-sensitive paper should be placed with your regular municipal recycling.
Paper Shredding Event – Friday, October 23
Union County will host a Paper Shredding Event at Wheeler Spray Park Parking Lot, 234 West Simpson Avenue, Linden (for GPS directions, please use 248 West Stimpson Avenue)
- Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Limit: 10 pounds of paper or four bags or boxes per vehicle
- Drive-up only
The event may end early if the shredding trucks reach capacity. Business documents will not be accepted.
The shredding program is intended for confidential and sensitive materials, including medical records, legal documents, and financial documents. Junk mail, flyers, magazines, and other non-sensitive paper should be placed with your regular municipal recycling. This will be the final paper shredding event for the 2026 season!
Household Hazardous Waste Event – Sunday, October 25
The next and final Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) event of the 2026 season will take place at the West Hall/ Police Academy Parking Lot at the Union County VoTech, 1776 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains.
- Time: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Drive-up only
- Accepted items include: pesticides and herbicides, pool chemicals, gasoline, motor oil and other automotive fluids, propane tanks, oil-based paints, and deck stains
Latex, acrylic, and enamel wall paints are water-based and will not be accepted. These paints should be dried out completely and disposed of with regular household garbage.
Resident-generated tires will also be accepted, with a limit of eight tires per household. This includes car tires, bicycle tires, and other small equipment tires. Truck tires will not be accepted. . This will be the final household hazardous waste (HHW) event for the 2026 season!
Scrap Metal Events – Thursday, October 1 and Saturday, October 17
The next Scrap Metal Recycling events of the 2026 season will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at two locations:
- County Emergency Services Yard: 151 Kenilworth Boulevard, Cranford
- Rahway River Park: 3 Parkway Drive, off St. Georges Avenue, Rahway
Accepted items include air conditioners, refrigerators with the doors removed, metal cabinets, metal gutters, and other scrap metal items.