First Saturday, Tire and Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Events 

Next First Saturday Recycling Drop-off is April 7 

BRIDGEWATER – Somerset County residents can begin their spring cleaning early by taking advantage of the next First Saturday of the Month Drop-off event from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 7 at the Somerset County Recycling Center , located at 40 Polhemus Lane .

First Saturday drop-off events enable busy residents to recycle outdated electronics, tires, clean textiles and usual curbside items in one fell swoop, as well as help people in the community who are less fortunate by donating food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

Additionally, residents can drop off consumer electronics (e-waste). E-waste includes computers (CPUs), servers, monitors, terminals/CRTs, televisions, printers, fax machines, copiers, computer/laptop peripherals, telecommunication equipment (telephones, cell phones/smartphones, telephone mainframes), keyboards, mice, cables, wiring, circuit boards, modems, power supplies, laptops, docking stations, audio visual equipment, electronic tablets, eReaders and chargers for electronic devices.  

Also typewriters, VCRs, mainframe equipment and controllers, camcorders, CDs, DVDs, computer disks, diskettes, videotapes, cassette tapes, and rechargeable and button-cell batteries will be accepted.  Residents should individually bag each battery or tape each terminal to avoid short-circuiting of batteries.

Residents also can drop off electronics at Newtech Recycling Inc., located at 600A Apgar Drive , Somerset 08873 , weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Both drop-off opportunities are free.  For more information about Newtech Recycling Inc. contact them at (732) 564-3110 or www.newtechrecycling.com.

No household hazardous waste will be accepted at First Saturday Drop-off events.  The next Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off event will be on April 28 in Warren 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 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.

 

Free Tire Drop-off for Somerset County Farmers, Residents

April 16-20 in Peapack

PEAPACK - The Somerset County Division of Solid Waste Management is partnering with the Peapack Garage to collect scrap tires on Monday, April 16, through Friday, April 20, from 8 a.m. to
3 p.m. The Peapack Garage is located at 5 Holland Ave. 07977

County farmers and residents can drop off up to eight tires, with or without rims, per household.

The program is free.  Proof of residency is required to take advantage of this program.

Proper disposal of tires benefits communities.   Scrap tires have the potential to collect standing water and attract mosquitoes. To prevent West Nile virus, tires should be stored indoors or in a covered container until they can be properly disposed. This requirement is enforceable by the Somerset County Health Department.

The tire drop-off program is funded through a grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Tires also may be dropped off at the Somerset County Recycling Center , located at 40 Polhemus Lane in Bridgewater , as part of the First Saturday of the Month drop-off program. Future drop-off dates are April 7, May 5, June 2, July 14, Aug. 4, Sept. 8, Oct. 6, Nov. 3 and Dec. 1, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information about the tire drop-off event, contact the Somerset County Road Division at (908) 541-5021 or RoadDiv@co.somerset.nj.us.

Residents Can Drop-off Household Hazardous Waste on April 28 

WARREN  -  Now’s a good time to start your spring cleaning 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, April 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Warren Township Public Works Garage, located at 1 Bardy Road.

Additional Household Hazardous Waste drop-off days will be held on June 9, Aug. 4, Sept. 15 and Oct. 27 at different locations. 

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.

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

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

Residents can dispose of tires and used consumer electronics each month at First Saturday of the Month Drop-off events, doing away with unsightly clutter around the home.  All First Saturday Drop-off events are held at the Somerset County Recycling Center in Bridgewater . For more information, call the Somerset County Recycling Center at (732) 469-3363.

In March, 3,027 county residents brought in approximately 171,315 pounds of hazardous materials for proper disposal, including 550 car and wet-cell batteries, 1,705 gallons of used motor oil, 605 gallons of antifreeze and 214 propane tanks.

 For more information on types or 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 the Somerset County website at www.co.somerset.nj.us/recycle for recycling programs and information.