Cans & Bottles - simply remove any labels, lids / caps or pumps & rinse!
Cans (Aluminum, Steel & Bimetal), Glass Bottles, Plastic Bottles / Containers (#1 - #7) These items should be rinsed thoroughly and placed inside your recycling bucket. Crush all plastic bottles to save space. Remove caps, lids or pumps on plastic bottles. Make sure all recyclables are as clean as possible to deter pests & odors.
Acceptable items: Glass bottles (all colors) Glass jars (all colors) Steel cans Bimetal cans Aluminum cans All plastic bottles and containers #1 - #7 NO STYROFOAM®	#1 - #7 Examples: Water, soda, milk, juice, soap, detergent, bleach, shampoo and cleaning-agent bottles. You may also include peanut butter, yogurt and diaper-wipe containers, margarine tubs, and clear plastic clamshell containers from restaurant salad bars.

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Corrugated Cardboard, Chipboard, & Pizza Boxes - Empty and break boxes down. DO NOT leave any food residue in boxes Corrugated cardboard must be cut into 2 ft. x 2 ft. squares and tied with string or twine. Please include pizza boxes & chipboard with corrugated cardboard. Place tied bundle (pizza boxes, chipboard & cardboard) next to your recycling bucket. Acceptable items: Brown bags Chipboard boxes including: cereal, cookie, pasta, cake, cracker, detergent (remove plastic liners), gift, shoe, shirt and any retail boxes. Poster board & backing from writing pads also accepted. Corrugated cardboard Paper towel rolls Pizza boxes (clean!) Tissue boxes

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Newspaper, Junk Mail & Other Papers - Remove glue, tape, and envelope windows.  DO NOT include items that contain grease, food residue or a wax coating. NEWSPAPERS - Newspapers must be bundled and tied with string or twine. Place tied bundles next to your blue bucket. Acceptable items: Newspaper Inserts that come with newspapers, such as: comics, glossy coupons, TV/magazine sections & colored food/store ads JUNK MAIL - Other paper should be placed in a brown paper bag or cardboard box and placed next to your blue bucket. Shredded paper must be in clear or labeled plastic bags. Acceptable items: Magazines Writing / school paper All envelopes Copy paper Paperback books Hardcover books w/hard covers removed Catalogs Phone books These can be added to your curbside collection or you can bring them to a Saturday drop off.

What NOT to recycle curbside: PLASTIC: Un-numbered plastics • Microwave trays • Plastic bags • Motor oil and antifreeze bottles • Plastic toys • Plastic cups, plates, knives, forks, spoons • Plastic flower pots • Beer balls • Pesticide containers • Paper plates • Plastic coat hangers • Plastic drums & crates • Styrofoam® • 5-gallon buckets (spackle & paint containers) • Pool chemical containers • Plastic caps • Prescription bottles • Garbage cans • Kitty litter containers PAPER: Waxed paper • Tissue paper • Napkins • Paper towels • Frozen food boxes • Cups • Metallic & plastic-coated paper • Paper with metal objects (file folders, binders, etc.) APPLIANCES: Refrigerators • Air Conditioners • Dehumidifiers • Humidifiers FIRE EXTINGUISHERS: Bring to Hazardous Waste Days BATTERIES: Alkaline go in garbage • Bring rechargeable & button-cell batteries to Hazardous Waste Days TEXTILES: Take clothing, linens, drapes and other textiles to any local nonprofit collection bin

With the amount of trash littered on the roadside every day, your involvement is becoming increasingly important. Any local community organization, school group or business group, as well as individuals 18 years of age or older, may adopt a road.

Guidelines for adoption include an agreement to clean at least one mile or the entire length of a road’s right-of-way four times per year. Participants are supplied garbage bags, safety vests and a road sign identifying the adopting group. You may select a road of your choice or choose a specific "needy road" from the list below. If you wish to adopt a road or portion of road within city limits, please contact your city. Rules and regulations are provided to each group. If you wish to find out more about the Adopt-A-Road program in Somerset County, more information is available by clicking on the links below. 

• Adopt-A-Road Policy Manual
• List of Roads

Please visit your local Home Depot or Lowe's Home Improvement store to recycle your CFL bulbs, rechargeable batteries, cell phones and plastic grocery shopping bags.

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Somerset County will accept rechargeable or button cell batteries at Hazardous Waste events and the 1st Saturday of the Month (with Electronics). Remember, batteries must be properly prepared before drop off. New Federal regulations have been enacted to prevent short circuiting of batteries during transport. Residents must individually bag each battery or tape each of the terminal ends prior to recycling.   

Prevent fires, keep people and property safe. DO NOT throw RECHARGEABLE batteries in the trash or recycling bin. 

Rechargeable batteries can be found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, digital cameras, two-way radios, camcorders, and remote control toys. 

Rechargeable and Button Cell Batteries should be recycled, but they must be recycled at a drop-off location, not in your curbside bin.  Rechargeable batteries CAN be recycled at many retail locations. Some municipalities participate in the call2recycle program. To find the nearest collection site, use the collection site locator at www.call2recycle.org or call the consumer helpline, 1- 877-2-RECYCLE. 

Alkaline Batteries fall below Federal and State hazardous waste standards and can be disposed of in the regular trash.  Alkaline batteries include AA, AAA, C, D and 9-V and will have the word “ALKALINE” imprinted on the battery. 

Be battery safety smart and responsibly manage your rechargeable batteries at their end of life.  

For more information on batteries, visit the Avoid the Spark New Jersey website.

As the owner, operator or manager of a business/commercial establishment you must ensure that a recycling system is in place. That system needs to provide for the separation of mandatory recyclable items and for the proper recycling of those materials. You, not your trash hauler, are responsible for separating mandatory materials and keeping them out of any refuse containers holding non-recyclable items.

Small-Business Recycling Drop-off Program

Small businesses in Somerset County can drop off materials at the Somerset County Recycling Center, located at 40 Polhemus Lane, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., Monday through Friday. To qualify as a small business, you must have between one and 50 employees.

The Somerset County Small-Business Drop-off Recycling Program provides an effective and responsible alternative for small businesses that have problems discarding their recyclable materials.

The types of materials accepted at the Recycling Center are newspapers; cardboard and chipboard; commingled containers, which include glass bottles, plastic bottles (marked #1 through #7), and steel, bi-metal and aluminum cans. Recyclable items should be brought in a cardboard box or a bucket.

The following items are not accepted: electronic waste, scrap metal, tires, plastic bags, chemicals and hazardous materials.

There is no reimbursement for recyclable materials dropped off.

For additional information, call the Recycling Center at 732-469-3363.

• Business Recycling Guide & How-To
• "The Economic Benefits of Recycling - WasteWise Case Studies from the Private and Public Sectors"
• Recycling Markets Directory
• Recycling Enforcement
• Notification of Construction/Demolition Activities

Grass Clippings Create a Disposal Problem: 

Disposing of grass clippings is very costly and wasteful. Grass clippings are a major part of New Jersey’s municipal solid waste stream. As New Jersey residents, we are already helping to reduce the amount of waste we generate by recycling newspapers, plastics, glass cans and more. We can do more by not collecting grass clippings each time we mow our lawn and putting the clippings curbside. This will save our towns time and money!

Excessive clippings that may accumulate on the lawn in the spring and fall can be avoided by cutting the lawn more frequently. Using a mulching mower is another good strategy to return grass clippings to the lawn.

Benefits of Composting - Environmentally Friendly Thing to Do:

Composting kitchen and yard debris can divert from landfills over 30 percent of the average residential waste. If everyone had their own compost heap or bin, we could reduce landfill use, avoid burying nutrients and trace minerals and creating methane gases.

Composting saves you money by reducing the volume of trash transported and disposed of in landfills and by providing a FREE, nutrient-rich soil additive. Composting recycles nutrients and organic matter back into the soil. Compost improves soil moisture and decreases erosion, while feeding vegetable and flower gardens.

Benefits of Grasscycling:  

Grasscycling your lawn clippings with any mower saves time and money. No bags to fill or empty...a ton of grass clippings costs from $65 to $100 for disposal...and grasscycling reduces fertilizer use and increases organic matter to promote healthier soil and plants. 

Backyard Composting Workshops -  CANCELED

For more information or to register, call 908-231-7109.

Composting Fact Sheets

• Backyard Leaf Composting
• Home Composting
• Yard Trimmings
• Using Leaf Compost
• Minimizing Waste Disposal Grass Clippings
• Worm Composting

Returning Gas Cylinders To A Supplier

As with most hazardous wastes, the best way to manage gas cylinders, canisters and cartridges is to avoid purchasing surplus amounts. This can best be accomplished by buying only what you need, by using all you buy, by emptying cylinders completely through routine use, and by not purchasing duplicate cylinders for those that are partially full in your inventory.

There are two types of cylinders:  

• Group 1: Cylinders supplied by industrial gas vendors (containing argon, carbon dioxide, helium, nitrogen, oxygen, air and other common gases), usually in cylinders with screw-top valve covers. 

• Group 2: Specialty gases, supplied by various vendors, commonly in lecture bottles (usually 12-15 inches long and 2 inches in diameter).

Group 1 cylinders usually are provided on a rental basis and have a deposit on them. These can be returned through central stores to the vendor. Group 2 cylinders are usually sold outright but may in most cases be returned to the vendor at a cost of $0-$250. If the cylinder is disposed of through a chemical-waste contractor it will typically cost $100-$1000 for disposal. 

If a specialty gas is desired that is not available through the vendor, the best solution is to rent the next larger size cylinder, rather than purchase a lecture bottle that may cost several hundred dollars to dispose later, even if empty. Although vendor's designations vary for the next larger size, these cylinders are generally about 20 inches long and 4 inches in diameter.  Although these cylinders are provided on a rental basis, they almost always cost less than the same product delivered in a lecture bottle. The cylinders contain more product but may be returned even if they are not empty. Alternatively, you may be able to work with the vendor to purchase partially filled cylinders if you don't need full ones. This is the most economical and environmentally sound choice when using small quantities of gases. For more information contact your customer service representative. 

For disposal, it is recommended the following steps be taken:  

Contact the manufacturer or vendor of the gas cylinder in question to see if it can be returned. Even if a vendor is not on the list, they might accept cylinder returns. Follow instructions given by the vendor to ship the cylinder. They can provide the required shipping information.

The following companies accept returns of gas cylinders (as of November 15, 1999):  

Air Products 12721 S. Wentworth Chicago, IL 60628 773/785-3000 (Wanda) Typical Charge: $0  Company picks up? No Must be shipped back? Yes Comments: User pays shipping		Aldrich PO Box 335 Milwaukee, WI 53233 800/558-9160 - Customer Service Typical Charge: $27 Company picks up? No Must be shipped back? Yes Comments: Empties only less than 6 months old. Need special form.		Cambridge Isotope Labs 50 Forntage Rd. Andover, MA 01810-5413 800/322-1174  Typical Charge: $0  Company picks up? No  Must be shipped back? Yes Comments: Write “For disposal.”  Only accepts returns on case-by-case basis.
Farchan Laboratories 2603 NW 74th Place Gainesville, FL 32606 352/378-5864  Typical Charge: $0 Company picks up? No  Must be shipped back? Yes		Fluka - see Aldrich Matheson Manhattan Road & Richards St. P.O. Box 96  Joliet, IL 60434 815/727-4848 -John Kraus  Fax: 815/727-1676  Typical Charge: $40  Company picks up? No  Must be shipped back? Yes Comments: Will accept gases they still market. Purchase Order # required to process return request.		Merck Sharp Dohme Isotopes-see Cambridge  MG Industries  c/o S.J. Smith Welding  Bondville, IL 61815 217/863-2223 -Glenn Smith  Typical Charge: $0  Company picks up? No  Must be shipped back? Yes Comments: If poison, will arrange shipment.
Morton International, Inc. - see Rohm Haas Ozark Mahoning 5101 W. 21st St.  Tulsa, OK 74107 918/583-0851 -Greg Ward  Typical Charge: $0  Company picks up? No  Must be shipped back? Yes. Attn: Dale Fisher.  Comments: Follow applicable DOT regulations		Pennwalt - see Morton International, Inc. Pfaltz and Bauer  203/574-0075 -Doug Hughes  Typical Charge: $0  Company picks up? No  Must be shipped back? Yes  Comments: Only accept on case by case basis. Contact tech services first.		Rohm-Hass Metal-Organic Division 60 Willow St. North Andover, MA 01845 978/557-1700-Cheryl  Typical Charge: $0  Company picks up? No  Must be shipped back? Yes  Comments: Must get authorization. Does not accept cylinders more than 5 years old.  Scientific Gas Products - see Scott Specialty Gases
Scott Specialty Gases 1290 Combermerb Street Troy, MI 48083 810/589-2950 (MI Plant)  Contact: 630/860-1824 (Marty)  Typical Charge: $0  Company picks up? No  Must be shipped back? Yes Comments: Mark "empty". (Only accepts empty cylinders)		Spectra Gases Inc. 80 Industrial Dr. Alpha, NJ 08865 877/395-0128  Typical Charge: $0  Company picks up? No  Must be shipped back? Yes  Comments: Accepts empty Spectra cylinders only. Don’t accept cylinders back (as of November 15, 1999)

 

AGA Gas 217/ 443-0204	Amersham 847/ 593-6300	American Environmental 800/ 842-1088
Atomergic Chemicals Corp 516/ 694-9000  (formerly Texas Alkyls) 800/ 828-7929	Farchan Labs No longer in business	ICN Biomedicals 800/ 279-5490
Monsanto Co 800/ 635-8842	Phillips 66 800/ 858-4327	Pierce Chemical 800/ 874-3723
PCR Research Chemical 352/ 376-8246 x381	Praxair (formerly Linde- Union Carbide) 217/ 367-1139  (Local vendor: Depke)

Latex paint can disposed of in your normal trash ONCE SOLIDIFIED. If the paint is still a liquid you will need to dry the paint. 

Oil-based paint  should be disposed of at a Hazardous Waste Day, held several times a year. 

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How to Manage Leftover Latex Paint

Did you know that an average of two gallons of household paint is sold for each person in the United States each year? Often this paint is disposed of improperly, which can harm the environment. There are several ways to manage leftover paint in Somerset County that are environmentally safe.

The following steps should help you:

1.  REDUCE: Buy only the Paint You Need

   • First, always buy only the paint you need. That way, you reduce the chance of having any paint leftover in the first place. It’s the same idea behind reusing leftover grocery bags, or eliminating excess packaging.

   • When you avoid creating the waste at the start, you are practicing “source reduction.” It’s a smart way to help the environment.

2.  STORE: Paint So It Lasts for Years

   • When stored properly, paint can last for years. Just cover the opening with plastic wrap and replace the lid; make sure the lid fits securely so the paint doesn’t leak. Then, and here’s the important step: store the paint can upside down. The paint will create a tight seal around the lid, keeping the paint fresh until you need it again.

3.  REUSE: Use Up All Your Paint

   • Now that you know how to keep your leftover paint fresh for years, don’t forget about it. Use it up!

   • Leftover paint can be used on touch-up jobs and smaller projects. You can blend and mix smaller colors of latex paint to use on larger jobs where the final finish is not critical. (Always make sure you read and follow all label instructions when applying the paint.)

4.  RECYCLE: Donate or Exchange Your Paint

   • If you can’t use your leftover paint, donate it to community groups, theater groups, schools, churches and others who need or want it. You may even be able to take a tax deduction.

   • Another good way to get rid of unwanted paint is to participate in or organize a neighbor-to-neighbor or community-wide paint exchange/paint swap.

5.  Recycle the Empty Paint Can

   • Once you have used up your paint, the cans can be disposed of in your normal household trash after the paint has dried.

   • Follow instructions below from step 6 for drying up paint.

6.  Last Resort . . . Dispose of Paint Properly

   • Everyone should be able to save, use up or donate or exchange leftover paint. If as a last resort you need to dispose of your leftover paint, make sure you do it properly.

   • If the latex paint has already solidified in a closed can, you can dispose of it in your normal trash, if the paint is still a liquid you will need to dry the paint.

   • Let your leftover latex paint air dry away from children or pets.

   • One method to quicken the drying is to add an absorbent material such as speedy dry, cat litter or shredded newspaper. Once the latex paint has dried it is safe to dispose of in your normal trash.

Somerset County does not collect polystyrene materials because they are difficult to collect and store due to its bulk. To assist residents who want to dispose of polystyrene products rather than throw them out with the trash, following are some options:

Packing Peanuts

• Polystyrene packing peanuts can be taken to your local Mail Boxes Etc., PostNet or UPS stores, where they will be reused in future packing shipments.
• UPS stores also will accept Bubble Wrap for reuse in their deliveries as long as the bubbles have not been popped.

Tips On Keeping Polystyrene Out of the Waste Stream

• Keep it as packing - Break down large lumps of polystyrene into smaller chunks and keep a bag handy for future use.
• Residents of the United States can visit the Earth911 website - Earth911.org - and enter "polystyrene" and their location in the “Search” function at the top of the page to find locations to recycle various materials. The search results will provide listings of companies and organizations in your local area that will take polystyrene. Note: Be sure to enter "polystyrene" rather than "Styrofoam," as Styrofoam is a brand name, which is unlikely to return any results.
• Mail Back Initiative - The Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers offers a mail-back program to residents of the United States whereby you send the polystyrene peanuts to them via the U.S. mail service. The cost of postage is involved, but this may prove more economical than carting it somewhere by car.
• To learn more about what can be recycled in New Jersey and locations, visit www.recyclingnj.com/recycle/polystyrene.html.

Facts about Polystyrene and How to Reduce and Recycle

Polystyrene products are widely used as packing material to protect goods from damage while in transit. There are four main types of polystyrene packaging materials that are commonly used.

• Styrofoam Products: Styrofoam is a brand name commonly used to describe a particular type of polystyrene manufacturing process that is used to create polystyrene cups, foam fast food boxes and foam meat trays.

• Polystyrene Packing Peanuts: Used in the shipment of small items as box packing fill.

• Expanded Polystyrene Blocks: Used in the shipment of large equipment such as computers and household appliances.

• Polystyrene Containers: Some supermarket packaging is made from polystyrene, such as the small individual serving yogurt pots and some pre-packaged fruit or vegetable containers.

Reduce

 Look for ways to reduce the amount of polystyrene waste that you generate. For example, using a reusable cup instead of the disposable polystyrene cups will stop some polystyrene from entering the waste stream.

Many delivery companies have switched to using sealed polyethylene pouches filled with air instead of polystyrene packing peanuts. These are much better for the environment than packing peanuts as they require significantly less plastic to manufacture and are much easier for the customer to recycle. The polyethylene bag can simply be pierced to let the air out, and then recycled with other plastic bags and polyethylene wraps. For more information about plastic bags, visit www.recyclingnj.com.

Recycle

Although the polystyrene used in meat trays and disposable cups cannot be recycled, the polystyrene used in shipping boxes to protect items inside can be readily recycled. 
Polystyrene meat trays are not accepted for recycling because they are contaminated by uncooked meat products; they must be disposed of in your general trash.

Textiles are NOT ACCEPTED at the Somerset County Recycling Center

Please continue to recycle your used textiles through any charity or donation bin.

Visit our page for more information about First Saturday events or call the Somerset County Recycling Center at 732-469-3363.

Residents can recycle tires at First Saturday of the Month events throughout the year at the Somerset County Recycling Center, located at 40 Polhemus Lane in Bridgewater, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents can bring up to eight tires, with or without rims, to scheduled Saturday Drop-off events.  

• Saturday drop-offs: from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Somerset County Recycling Center, located at 40 Polhemus Lane, Bridgewater NJ 08807.  

  Occupants should remain in their vehicles until otherwise instructed. Residents will also be expected to remove items without assistance and place items on pallets as instructed by staff.

  • January 10, 2025, 2026*
  • February 7
  • March 7
  • April 4
  • May 2
  • June 6
  • July 11*
  • August 1
  • September 12*
  • October 3
  • November 7
  • December 5

  
  

    * second Saturday due to observed holidays

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Tire Storage & West Nile Virus

Proper disposal of tires benefits communities. Scrap tires can collect standing water and attract mosquitoes in warm weather, which may carry the West Nile virus. In the autumn and winter they present a tripping hazard when covered with leaves or snow.

To prevent West Nile virus, tires should be stored indoors or in a covered container until they can be properly disposed. This requirement is enforceable by the Somerset County Health Department. The tire drop-off program is funded through a grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection. For more information, call 908-541-5021 or email roaddiv@co.somerset.nj.us.

What does the proper storage and recycling of tires have to do with the West Nile Virus? Tires stored outdoors can collect water and provide an ideal breeding site for mosquitoes, including the Culex pipiens species, the primary transmitter of the West Nile Virus.

What should I do to help prevent the West Nile Virus? Store tires indoors or in a covered container. Tires must be stored in totally enclosed structures, closed trailers or covered roll-off containers. This requirement is enforceable by the County Health Department.

Properly dispose of/recycle your tires. County residents can utilize the county’s First Saturday of the Month drop-off for tire recycling. Somerset County will accept and recycle a maximum of eight (8) tires, with or without rims, at one time. Location/times: Somerset County Recycling Center, 40 Polhemus Lane, Bridgewater, 8am - 2pm.

Empty any objects on your property filled with standing water. Any container or bucket that is susceptible to collecting water can also become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. These items should be removed, covered or emptied after each rain event.

Report illegally dumped tires. If you see a pile of illegally dumped tires, please report it to your local municipality or to the Somerset County Health Department at 908-231-7155.

Residents can recycle oil on selected Saturday drop offs - bring used antifreeze, motor oil, oil filters and tires to the Somerset County Recycling Center, located at 40 Polhemus Lane in Bridgewater, from 8 a.m. to noon.

Recycling used motor oil keeps the environment safe and saves resources. Used motor oil is a major pollutant of soil and water. When poured down storm sewers, it flows directly into streams and lakes where it kills wildlife. When poured on the ground, it contaminates soil, and may contaminate wells.

Somerset County residents are encouraged to recycle yard and bulky waste materials such as leaves, wood, brush, metals, Christmas trees and large metal appliances. Items accepted will vary depending on the municipality where you live.

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• Bedminster- Please visit www.bedminster.us for information or call 908-212-7000 with any questions.
• Bernards- Please visit www.bernards.org for information or call 908-204-3084 with any questions.
• Bernardsville- Please visit www.bernardsvilleboro.org for information or 908-766-3000 ext. 127 with any questions.
• Bound Brook-Please visit www.boundbrook-nj.org for updated information call 732-356-0833 with any questions.
• Branchburg-Please visit branchburg.nj.usfor updated information or call 908-526-1300 ext. 177 with any questions.
• Bridgewater-Please visit www.bridgewaternj.gov for updated information or call 725-6300 ext. 6000 with any questions.
• Far Hills-Please visit www.farhillsnj.org or www.bedminster.us (shared services) for updated information or call 908-234-0611 with any questions.
• Franklin-Please visit franklintwpnj.org for updated information or call 732-873-2500 ext. 6290 with any questions.
• Green Brook-Please visit www.greenbrooktwp.orgfor updated information or call 732-968-1023 ext. 6602 with any questions.
• Hillsborough-Please visit hillsborough-nj.org for updated information or call 908-369-4313 with any questions.
• Manville-Please visit www.manvillenj.org for updated information or call 908-725-5512 ext. 200 with any questions.
• Millstone-Please visit millstoneboro.org for updated information or call 908-281-6893 with any questions.
• Montgomery-Please visit twp.montgomery.nj.us for updated information or call 908-874-3144 with any questions.
• North Plainfield-Please visit www.northplainfield.org for updated information or call 908-769-2914 with any questions.
• Peapack & Gladstone-Please visit www.peapackgladstone.org for updated information or call 908-234-2250 ext. 151 with any questions.
• Raritan-Please visit www.raritanboro.org for updated information or call 908-725-1715 with any questions.
• Rocky Hill-Please visit www.rockyhill-nj.gov for updated information or call 609-924-7445 with any questions.
• Somerville-Please visit www.somervillenj.org for updated information or call 908-704-7195 with any questions.
• South Bound Brook-Please visit sbbnj.com for updated information or call 732-356-4450 with any questions.
• Warren-Please visit warrennj.org for updated information or call 908-753-8000 with any questions.
• Watchung-Please visit watchungnj.gov for updated information or call 908-756-0091 with any questions.