Union County’s Free Recycling Programs Continue in May

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that the 2026 seasonal recycling events will continue this May, featuring a variety of programs designed to help residents recycle unwanted, expired, or hazardous items and to promote sustainable waste management practices in the community.

"This is a great opportunity for residents to discard old documents, metal appliances, and hazardous items while also contributing to keeping Union County safe and sustainable. I encourage everyone to take advantage of this free program," said Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek.

Union County offers free mobile paper shredding events from March through October, giving residents a secure and convenient way to dispose of personal documents on-site. Events run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., or until trucks reach capacity. Residents are encouraged to participate in the following May shredding events:

• Saturday, May 9th: New Providence Community Pool Parking Lot, 1378 Springfield Avenue, New Providence
• Friday, May 15th: Hillside Pool Parking Lot, 1200 Central Avenue, Hillside

The shredding events are intended for personal and sensitive documents only. Residents can recycle magazines, junk mail, and other papers through their municipal program. Please remove all bindings, large plastic or metal clips, and other paraphernalia prior to the event (staples are allowed). Pre-shredded, damp, or wet paper will not be accepted.

Union County's Scrap Metal Recycling Program also continues in May, providing residents the opportunity to responsibly recycle various metal items, including refrigerators (with doors removed), metal cabinets, appliances, bicycles, aluminum scrap, and even air conditioners. The next scrap metal events of the season will take place on Thursday, May 7th & Saturday, May 16th, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at two convenient locations:

• Cranford: Emergency Services Building, 151 Kenilworth Boulevard
• Rahway: Rahway River Park (service yard across from swimming pool), 3 Parkway Drive

Union County's next Household Hazardous Waste event will take place on Sunday, June 7th, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event will be held at UCNJ, in parking lots 5A/5B, located at 1033 Springfield Avenue in Cranford. At these events, residents can bring a variety of household chemicals for proper recycling or disposal. These items include, but are not limited to, oil-based finishes, motor oil, gasoline, propane tanks, pool chemicals, pesticides, fluorescent bulbs, and more. Latex (water-based) paint (wall paint), medical sharps, and welding gas/oxygen cylinders will not be accepted. Residents are advised to dry out latex paint at home using commercial paint hardener, sand, cat litter, or sawdust. Once hardened, it can be thrown in your household trash.

All Union County recycling events are contact-free and drive-up only. Residents must remain in their cars while staff unloads materials from their trunk.

The free Recycle Coach mobile app is a handy way to find out which items are accepted in curbside recycling programs and at drop-off sites in Union County. The app also provides up-to-date information on both countywide and local recycling programs.

For a complete schedule and more information on all recycling programs hosted by Union County, please visit ucnj.org/recycle/ or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889. Residents may also contact their municipal recycling coordinator for more details about recycling in their community.