Free Shredding and Hazardous Waste Days in Union County

Union County will hold its final free paper shredding and household hazardous waste events of 2026 in October, along with two scrap metal recycling days. The Union County Board of County Commissioners announced the schedule. All three programs are free for Union County residents, and Union County Life has every date and location below.

Paper shredding runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine, or until the trucks are full. The first event is Saturday, October 10, at the Berkeley Heights Municipal Building parking lot, 29 Park Avenue, Berkeley Heights. The second is Friday, October 23, at John Russell Wheeler Park, 234 W. Stimpson Avenue, Linden. For GPS, use 248 W. Stimpson Avenue. Each vehicle may bring up to four bags or boxes, and each one must weigh 10 pounds or less. Only confidential or sensitive personal papers are accepted. Remove bindings and large plastic or metal clips before you arrive, but staples are fine. Paper that is already shredded, damp or wet will be turned away. Magazines and junk mail belong in your town's regular recycling. Businesses may not use this program.

Scrap metal recycling runs from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, October 1, and Saturday, October 17. Residents may use either site on either date: the Emergency Services Complex, 151 Kenilworth Boulevard, Cranford, or the Rahway River Park Service Yard, 3 Parkway Drive, Rahway. Accepted items include refrigerators and freezers with the doors removed, metal cabinets, household appliances, bicycles, aluminum scrap, air conditioners, microwaves, washers, dryers, stoves, metal fencing, tire rims and wire hangers.

The last household hazardous waste event is Sunday, October 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It takes place in the West Hall/Police Academy parking lot at the Union County Vocational Technical Schools, 1776 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains. Bring oil based paints and finishes, motor oil and filters, gasoline, propane tanks, pool chemicals, pesticides and fluorescent bulbs. Latex or water based paint, medical sharps, and welding gas or oxygen cylinders are not accepted. Leftover latex paint can be dried at home with paint hardener, sand, cat litter or sawdust, then thrown out with regular trash once it is fully hard.

All events are drive up only. Stay in your vehicle, and staff will take materials from your trunk. For the full schedule, visit ucnj.org/recycling or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889. Stay informed about Union County news and announcements on Union County Life.

Photo Credit: New Province, New Jersey

FAQ:

Q: Is the Union County paper shredding event free?
A: Yes. The October shredding, scrap metal and household hazardous waste events are all free for Union County residents. Businesses may not use the shredding program.

Q: Where are the October shredding events in Union County, and do I need to park?
A: Shredding is on October 10 at 29 Park Avenue in Berkeley Heights and October 23 at John Russell Wheeler Park in Linden (use 248 W. Stimpson Avenue for GPS). All county recycling events are drive up only, so you stay in your car while staff unload your trunk.

Q: Where can I drop off household hazardous waste in Union County in October?
A: The last Union County household hazardous waste event of 2026 is Sunday, October 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains. You can bring items like oil based paint, motor oil, gasoline, propane tanks, pool chemicals, pesticides and fluorescent bulbs.

Q: Who can use these recycling events, and do I need to sign up?
A: The events are for Union County residents only. The county notice does not mention any registration, and you can use either scrap metal site in Cranford or Rahway on October 1 or October 17.

Q: Where can I find more Union County recycling and town news?
A: Union County Life covers county programs, events and news across all 21 Union County towns. Visit unioncountylife.com for updates like the October shredding and hazardous waste schedule.