Union County offering free scrap metal recycling

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announce the 2015 schedule of its free scrap metal recycling events. A wide variety of metal goods, from household appliances to gutters and sheds, are included in the program.

"This countywide program helps to fill a service gap in some Union County municipalities that currently have no pickup for scrap metal recycling," said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed Jalloh. "As a community, we benefit across the board by recycling more and throwing away less waste - and we also stand to gain some revenue from the program."

The scrap metal recycling program is available for use by households, commercial establishments, nonprofit agencies and other organizations. Starting on Thursday, March 5, and running through November, the program will be available on the first Thursday of each month and the third Saturday of each month (excluding holidays) from 9 a.m. to noon.

Scrap metal from any municipality may be brought to any of the following drop-off centers:

• Cranford: Emergency Services/Traffic Enforcement, 151 Kenilworth Boulevard
• Rahway: Service Yard in Rahway Park (near pool), St. Georges Avenue
• Westfield: Westfield Conservation Center, 1300 Lamberts Mill Road

Residents who are recycling refrigerators or freezers are required by law to remove the doors from these appliances. The scrap metal recycling program cannot accept refrigerators or freezers with the doors intact.

Acceptable items for recycling include aluminum scrap, aluminum cans, aluminum siding, bicycles, brass, copper, dishwashers, electric fans, fencing (chain/wire), freezers, gutters, irons, lawn furniture, metal cabinets, metal sheds, microwaves, pots and pans, railings, refrigerators, stoves, tire rims, toasters, washers and dryers, window frames (no glass), and wire hangers. In the event of extreme bad weather, individual recycling events may be cancelled.