‘First Saturday of the Month’ Drop-off on Aug. 1

BRIDGEWATER – Somerset County Freeholder Deputy Director Patricia L. Walsh, recycling liaison, invites Somerset County residents to take advantage of the next First Saturday of the Month Drop-off event on Aug. 1 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Somerset County Recycling Center, located at 40 Polhemus Lane, to clean up around their homes. 

First Saturday drop-off events enable busy residents to recycle tires, clean textiles and usual curbside items in one fell swoop.  They also enable residents to 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, used motor oil, oil filters, 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 have the option of disposing of clean dry textiles throughout the year at 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.

No household hazardous waste is accepted at First Saturday Drop-off events.  The next Household Hazardous Waste event is Sept. 12 in Branchburg.

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 have two options. They can bring canned goods and non-perishable food donations to First Saturday of the Month drop-off events or they can put out canned goods in a plastic bag on their usual recycling pickup dates.  Items are 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, NJ 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 in 2015 are Aug. 1, Sept. 5, Oct. 3, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5. For more information about Newtech Recycling Inc., call (732) 564-3110 or visit www.newtechrecycling.com.