Holiday Schedule And Two Drop-Off Events

Recycling Pick-up Date Adjusted for Labor Day

The Somerset County Recycling Center, located at 40 Polhemus Lane in Bridgewater, will be closed on Monday, Sept. 3, in observance of Labor Day.

Curbside-recycling collection for residents of Branchburg and Raritan will be on Tuesday, Sept. 4.

 For more information, call the Recycling Center at (732) 469-3363.

 

First Saturday of the Month Drop-off

BRIDGEWATER – Somerset County residents can take advantage of the next First Saturday of the Month Drop-off event to clean up around their homes and yards.  Due to the Labor Day holiday, the drop-off will be held on Sept. 8 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Somerset County Recycling Center, located at 40 Polhemus Lane.

First Saturday drop-off events enable busy residents to recycle tires, clean textiles and usual curbside items in one fell swoop, as well as help people in the community who are less fortunate by donating food items for a local food bank. 

As part of the program, residents can drop off up to eight tires - with or without rims, scrap metal, antifreeze and usual curbside materials, including chipboard items and plastic bottles and containers, marked #1 through #7.  Chipboard includes gift, shoe, shirt and all retail boxes, as well as cereal, cookie, pasta, cake and cracker boxes, without the plastic liners.  Also poster board and backing from writing pads are accepted and empty, dried-out steel paint cans.

Residents also have the option of disposing of clean dry textiles throughout the year by bringing them to scheduled Saturday drop-off events.  Textiles include drapes, curtains, sheets, towels, belts, handbags, shoes (pairs), clean cloth and small stuffed animals. Textiles only will be accepted in a plastic bag. 

Future First Saturday of the Month events will be held on Oct. 6, Nov. 3 and Dec. 1. 

No household hazardous waste will be accepted at First Saturday Drop-off events.  The next Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off will be Sept. 15 in Branchburg Township.   For more information, contact the Somerset County Division of Solid Waste Management at (908) 231-7031 or solidwaste@co.somerset.nj.us. 

For a complete listing of recyclable items, recycling events and much more, visit www.co.somerset.nj.us/recycle or call the Somerset County Recycling Center at (732) 469-3363.

Residents wishing to help the needy during these difficult economic times now have two opportunities. They can continue to bring canned goods and non-perishable food donations to First Saturday Drop-off events or they can put out canned goods in a plastic bag on their usual recycling pickup dates.  Items will be delivered to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County.  Perishable items and foods in glass containers are not accepted by food banks.

Somerset County no longer accepts consumer electronics (e-waste) at First Saturday of the Month events. Residents can recycle e-waste free of charge at Newtech Recycling Inc., located at 600A Apgar Drive, Somerset, N.J. 08873, Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Saturday drop-off dates in 2012 will be Sept. 8, Oct. 6, Nov. 3 and Dec 1. For more information about Newtech Recycling Inc., call (732) 564-3110 or visit www.newtechrecycling.com.  

Residents Can Drop-off Household Hazardous Waste  

BRANCHBURG -  Take advantage of the next Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Day to dispose of hazardous waste items in your garage, basement or other storage areas.

Somerset County will be holding a Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off event for Somerset County homeowners and farmers on Saturday, Sept. 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Branchburg Township Public Works Garage, located at 34 Kenbury Road, Branchburg, N.J. 08876.

No registration is necessary, but proof of Somerset County residency is required.  The program is free to county residents. 

Household hazardous waste includes banned or outdated pesticides, antifreeze, transmission fluids, brake fluids, wet-cell car batteries, motor oil (2-gallon maximum), ammonia-based cleaners, gasoline, kerosene, oil-based paints, pool chemicals, propane tanks and rechargeable and button-cell batteries.

Additionally, you can help prevent mercury from entering the environment by dropping off mercury-containing devices such as thermometers and mercury switches, compact fluorescent light bulbs, fluorescent tubes and old thermostats.

No tires, electronics (computers and televisions), infectious waste, gas cylinders, smoke detectors, air conditioners and dehumidifiers are accepted at Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off events. 

In August, 401 county residents dropped off approximately 25,900 pounds of hazardous materials for proper disposal.  In addition, 225 gallons of used motor oil, 110 gallons of antifreeze, 26 propane tanks and 30 wet-cell batteries were collected.

The final 2012 household hazardous waste drop-off will be held on Oct. 27 in Hillsborough. 

For more information on types and quantities of materials accepted, contact the Somerset County Division of Solid Waste Management at (908) 231-7031 or solidwaste@co.somerset.nj.us or visit www.co.somerset.nj.us/recycle for recycling programs and information.