What Union County itself runs: 2 landfills, sites and programs covering 7 items. If your town doesn’t have its own page, these are usually the places to start.
Checked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check
Union County Household Hazardous Waste drop-off events
Union County Bureau of Recycling & Planning drive-up household hazardous waste events, held several times a year (2026: April 25 and October 25 at UC VoTech, 1776 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains; June 7 at UCNJ, 1033 Springfield Avenue, Cranford; August 8 at Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union), 9 a.m.–2 p.m., rain or shine. Accepts oil-based paint, batteries (no alkaline), automobile tires (8 per household, no rims) and other household chemicals. Latex paint is not accepted. Hotline 908-654-9889.
Seasonal county scrap metal drop-off, 9 a.m.–noon every first Thursday and third Saturday from April to November, at Rahway River Park (3 Parkway Drive, Rahway) and the County Emergency Services Complex (151 Kenilworth Boulevard, Cranford). Takes appliances (refrigerators and freezers with doors removed, washers, dryers, microwaves, stoves, air conditioners) and household metal.
Union County holds household hazardous waste drop-off events in 2026 on April 25 and October 25 (UC VoTech, Scotch Plains), June 7 (UCNJ, Cranford) and August 8 (Kean University, Union), 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
Union County HHW events accept oil-based paints and varnishes; latex (water-based) paint is not accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
Union County HHW events accept batteries but not alkaline batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
Union County HHW events accept automobile, motorcycle and bicycle tires, limit 8 automobile tires per household, no rims. Checked October 26, 2026.
Union County describes its seasonal recycling events, including HHW and scrap metal, as a free recycling program for residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
Union County accepts rechargeable and button cell batteries at its HHW events; batteries must be bagged or have terminals taped. Checked October 26, 2026.
Union County scrap metal drop-off runs 9 a.m. to noon every first Thursday and third Saturday, April–November, at Rahway River Park (3 Parkway Drive, Rahway) and the Emergency Services Complex (151 Kenilworth Boulevard, Cranford). Checked October 26, 2026.
Accepted metals include microwaves, refrigerators, washers/dryers, dishwashers, stoves, air conditioners, bicycles and lawn furniture. Checked October 26, 2026.
Refrigerator and freezer doors must be removed before drop-off. Checked October 26, 2026.
“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.