BERNARDS - 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 next Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off for Somerset County homeowners and farmers will be Saturday, March 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bernards Township Public Works Garage, located at 277 S. Maple Ave., Basking Ridge, NJ 07920.
No registration is necessary, but proof of Somerset County residency is required. The program is free to county residents.
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Household hazardous waste includes banned or outdated pesticides, antifreeze, transmission fluids, brake fluids, wet-cell car batteries, motor oil (2-gallon maximum), ammonia-based cleaners, gasoline, kerosene,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 2013, 2896 county residents dropped off close to 173,000 pounds of hazardous materials for proper disposal, including 536 car and wet-cell batteries, 1,352 gallons of used motor oil, 605 gallons of antifreeze and 252 propane tanks.
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For more information on types and 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. However, in July, the “First Saturday” event will be held July 12 due to the Independence Day holiday. 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, NJ 08873, on selected Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Upcoming Saturday drop-off dates at Newtech are March 1, April 5, May 3, June 7, July 12, Aug. 2, Sept. 6, Oct. 4, Nov. 1 and Dec. 6.
For more information about Newtech Recycling Inc., call (732) 564-3110 or visit www.newtechrecycling.com.
