UNION COUNTY, NJ — Union County has announced its August 2026 seasonal recycling events, with free programs for paper shredding, scrap metal recycling and household hazardous waste disposal for residents.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners said the events are intended to help residents recycle unwanted, expired or hazardous items that are not accepted with regular trash.
All Union County recycling events are free for residents and are funded through Recycling Enhancement Act grants that the county applies for and receives through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
"Our seasonal recycling program is the simplest solution for residents to safely and responsibly dispose of items that cannot go out with the regular trash and therefore tend to collect around homes and garages, at times even spilling over into shared public spaces. By participating, residents are doing their part in keeping our community clean and habitable for all to enjoy," said Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek. "I encourage everyone to get a head start on our August events and begin collecting their expired and unwanted items today."
Mobile Paper-Shredding Event
A free mobile paper-shredding event is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until trucks reach capacity.
The event will be held in the Kean Hall Lot at Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue in Union.
According to the county, the shredding program is for personal and sensitive documents only.
Residents are asked to remove bindings, large plastic or metal clips and other paraphernalia before arriving, though staples are allowed. Pre-shredded, damp or wet paper will not be accepted.
Scrap Metal Recycling Program
The county's Scrap Metal Recycling Program will hold events on Thursday, Aug. 6, and Saturday, Aug. 15, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the Emergency Services Building, 151 Kenilworth Boulevard in Cranford, and at Rahway River Park, in the service yard across from the swimming pool, 3 Parkway Drive in Rahway.
Items accepted include refrigerators with doors removed, metal cabinets, appliances, bicycles, aluminum scrap and air conditioners.
Household Hazardous Waste Event
The next Household Hazardous Waste event is set for Saturday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Kean Hall Parking Lot at Kean University in Union.
Residents can bring materials including oil-based finishes, motor oil, gasoline, propane tanks, pool chemicals, pesticides and fluorescent light bulbs. Latex paint, medical sharps, and welding gas or oxygen cylinders will not be accepted.
All events are contact-free and drive-up only, and residents must remain in their cars while staff unloads materials from their trunk.
More information is available at ucnj.org/recycling or by calling the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.
Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Westfield Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.