BRIDGEWATER - Somerset County residents can take advantage of the next First Saturday of the Month Drop-off event to clean up around their homes on Oct. 5 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, 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 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.

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 drop-off dates at Newtech are Oct. 5, Nov. 2 and Dec. 7. For more information about Newtech Recycling Inc., call (732) 564-3110 or visit www.newtechrecycling.com.

 

Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off on Oct. 26

 

HILLSBOROUGH - Have you been thinking about cleaning out your garage, basement or other storage areas of hazardous waste items, but want to do it in a safe and environmentally responsible way? 

The last 2013 Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off for Somerset County homeowners and farmers will be on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the South County Public Works Garage, located at 410 Roycefield Rd., Hillsborough, N.J. 08844.

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, rechargeable and button cell batteries, and items containing mercury, including fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescent light bulbs, mercury switches, thermometers and thermostats.

In September, 750 county residents dropped off approximately 59,210 pounds of hazardous materials for proper disposal.  In addition, 275 gallons of used motor oil, 110 gallons of antifreeze, 78 propane tanks and 46 wet cell batteries were collected.

For more information on types or quantities of materials accepted, contact the Somerset County Division of Solid Waste Management at (908) 231-7031 or email solidwaste@co.somerset.nj.us or visit the Somerset County website at www.co.somerset.nj.us/recycle for recycling programs and information.

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

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

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 drop-off dates at Newtech are Oct. 5, Nov. 2 and Dec. 7.

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