Somerset County
Home MenuPlease DO NOT dispose of hazardous waste or batteries in your recycling container. Improper disposal is dangerous to our employees, vehicles, facility and environment.
“Operation Secure Shred” is sponsored by The Somerset County Board of County Commissioners, in cooperation with the County Department of Public Works. All events run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until the trucks are filled, rain or shine.
Proof of Somerset County residency is required (current driver's license, valid lease, tax bill or any other bill with a Somerset County address). Residents can bring a combination of up to six bags, containers or boxes per trip. No businesses allowed. No commercial vehicles allowed. For more information, call 908-203-6018 or email PublicWorks@somersetcountynj.gov.
The following recyclable items are not accepted: junk mail, photos, x-rays, magazines and newspapers.
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2026 OPERATION SHRED EVENTS |
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| DATES | LOCATIONS | |||
| MARCH 21 |
Somerset County Public Works Garage - North County Facility, 411 Chimney Rock Road, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 |
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| APRIL 11 |
Somerset County Public Works Garage - South County Facility, 410 Roycefield Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844 |
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| MAY 16 |
Somerset County Public Works Garage - North County Facility, 411 Chimney Rock Road, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 | |||
| JUNE 27 |
Somerset County Public Works Garage - South County Facility, 410 Roycefield Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844 | |||
| JULY 18 | Somerset County Public Works Garage - North County Facility, 411 Chimney Rock Road, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 |
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| AUGUST 22 | Somerset County Public Works Garage - South County Facility, 410 Roycefield Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844 |
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| SEPTEMBER 26 | Somerset County Public Works Garage - North County Facility, 411 Chimney Rock Road, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 |
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| OCTOBER 24 | Somerset County Public Works Garage - South County Facility, 410 Roycefield Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844 |
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| NOVEMBER 21 | Somerset County Public Works Garage - North County Facility, 411 Chimney Rock Road, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 | |||
Residents from all 21 Somerset County municipalities can have personal documents shredded at as many free, on-site mobile paper-shredding events as they wish to attend. Residents do not have to reside in the town hosting an event to participate.
Documents are commercially shredded safely, privately, and properly by trained, licensed, and bonded document destruction specialists. Staples and paperclips do not have to be removed. Residents can bring documents in up to six boxes, containers, or bags per visit and may stay and watch as their documents are shredded. Residents will be asked to take back their receptacles.
Operation Secure Shred is sponsored by the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners in cooperation with the county Department of Public Works. For more information, call 908-203-6018 or email PublicWorks@somersetcountynj.gov.
For tips on managing your personal documents and information, click to read our "To Shred or Not To Shred" brochure.
Somerset County has partnered with Recycle Coach download below.
Recycle coach is a FREE app and equips every individual with the most efficient and convenient way to stay informed when it comes to their trash and recycling management. With trash and recycling reminders straight to your smartphone; an instant search sorting guide; educational activities and more – the Recycle Coach app is sure to make trash and recycling collection days easy.
OR use Recycle Coach below without downloading the app.
NOTE: If you do not see the full address list or calendar, click on the grey bar above 2 times to reload the page
Rafael F. Jimenez, Director of Recycling
| Phone: | 732-469-3363 | |
| Fax: | 732-469-6229 | |
| Mail: | 40 Polhemus Lane, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 | |
| Email: |
- Collects recyclable materials from county residents, public schools, municipal and county facilities.
- Recyclables are processed into marketable post-consumer commodities.
- Provides First Saturday of the Month Recycling Drop-Off Program to county residents.
Racquel Hinds, Manager of Solid Waste
| Phone: | 908-231-7109 | |
| Fax: | 908-707-1749 | |
| Mail: | 20 Grove Street, P. O. Box 3000, Somerville, NJ 08876 | |
| Email: |
- Responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring of solid waste disposal methods for the county.
- Conducts periodic Household Hazardous Waste disposal programs.
- Coordinates the Adopt-A-Road and Backyard Composting Programs for Somerset County.
- Recycling Coordinator establishes prices through quoting of commodities in the various markets. Designs and implements special recycling programs throughout the county. Assists municipal recycling coordinators in program operations.
First Saturday and E-Waste Recycling Drop-Off Events to be held on February 7
As participation continues to grow, residents are reminded to take extra care when preparing materials for drop-off.
Residents are invited to safely dispose of unwanted recyclables and electronic waste at the First Saturday and E-Waste Drop-Off events on Saturday, February 7, 2026. At the events held in January, 529 residents were in attendance. As participation continues to grow, residents are reminded to take extra care when preparing materials for drop-off.
Recycling begins well before materials reach the curb. Residents are encouraged to place clean, dry materials in the correct bucket to help ensure that items can be properly processed. Those using the 20‑gallon blue bucket program should place rinsed containers, glass jars and bottles, along with cans directly in the bucket. Cardboard and newspapers should be bundled separately using string or twine
For residents using the dual stream tote program, rinsed plastics, glass, and metal belong in the yellow‑lid commingled tote. Flattened cardboard, chipboard, and paper go in the green‑lid paper tote.
Avoid placing trash or food waste in recycling containers. Consistent sorting supports a healthier and environmentally conscious community for all. To encourage continued awareness, following is a brief myth‑or‑fact for residents to consider.
Myth or Fact: Caps can stay on plastic bottles while recycling.
MYTH — This is False! Caps must be removed before placing bottles into the yellow-lid tote for the dual stream tote program and the 20-gallon blue bucket program.
Proof of Somerset County residency is required. Accepted documents include a valid driver's license, lease, tax bill, or utility bill. Businesses and commercial vehicles are NOT permitted. Pre-registration is not required.
FIRST SATURDAY
The First Saturday Drop-off will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Somerset County Recycling Center, located at 40 Polhemus Lane, Bridgewater, NJ 08807. Residents must stay inside their vehicles while staff unload all recyclable materials.
Items Accepted: Drop-off up to eight tires – with or without rims, scrap metal, used motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, and the usual curbside materials, including plastic bottles, and food containers marked #1 through #7. Accepted chipboard items include gift, shoe, shirt, and all retail boxes, as well as cereal, cookie, pasta, cake and cracker boxes without the plastic liners, poster board, backing from writing pads, and empty dried-out steel paint cans.
Items NOT Accepted: Somerset County does NOT accept textiles at First Saturday of the Month Drop-off. Residents should continue to recycle used textiles at any local charity donation bin.
For more information, contact the Somerset County Recycling Center at (732) 469-3363 or visit www.somersetcountynj.gov/recycle.
ELECTRONIC WASTE DROP-OFF
The Electronic Waste Drop-off event runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the South County Public Works Garage, located at 410 Roycefield Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844. Residents should expect to remain in their vehicles unless otherwise instructed by staff.
Items Accepted: Computers, monitors, televisions, printers, scanners, cameras, DVD players, e-book readers, VCRs, phones, circuit boards, modems, cables, wiring, power supplies and controllers
Items NOT Accepted: Batteries are not accepted. Residents can recycle household hazardous waste, including lithium and rechargeable batteries, at scheduled Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off events. For a full list of accepted items, contact the Somerset County Division of Solid Waste Management at (908) 231-7109 or send an email to solidwaste@somersetcountynj.gov.
Use the free Recycle Coach app to get personalized and up-to-date recycling information. To download the app, visit https://bit.ly/SCRecycleCoach2025.
To learn more about Somerset County, register for free email alerts at somersetcountynj.gov/subscribe or follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube.
About Somerset County
The County of Somerset is committed to excellence and innovation in public service, promoting the well-being of all residents and communities by providing effective, efficient, and responsive leadership.