First Saturday of the Month Drop-off

Somerset County residents can take advantage of the next First Saturday of the Month Drop-off event to clean up around their homes on May 4 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Somerset County Recycling Center, located at 40 Polhemus Lane, Bridgewater, N.J. 08807.

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, backing from writing pads and empty, dried-out steel paint cans are accepted.

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. 

All First Saturday drop-off events in 2013 will be held on the first Saturday of the month, except for the month of July.  Due to the Independence Day holiday, the drop-off date will be July 13.

No household hazardous waste will be accepted at First Saturday Drop-off events. 

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, on selected Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Upcoming Saturday drop-off dates at Newtech will be May 4, June 1, July 13, Aug. 3, Sept. 7, Oct. 5, Nov. 2 and Dec. 7.

For more information about Newtech Recycling Inc., call (732) 564-3110 or visit www.newtechrecycling.com.

Recycling Pick-up Date Adjusted for Memorial Day

The Somerset County Recycling Center, located at 40 Polhemus Lane in Bridgewater, N.J. 08807, will be closed on Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day.

Curbside recycling collection for residents of Branchburg and Raritan will be on Tuesday, May 28.

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