Passaic County to host two recycling events

Passaic County is offering two opportunities to do some spring cleaning, by collecting rubber tires this Sunday and computers and other electronic gadgets on March 20 and 21.

County residents are encouraged to bring up to four rubber tires to the Para-transit yard, located in Wayne at 1310 Route 23 North, on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A vendor, Tire Management of Paterson, will be there to collect the tires and recycle them.

“We’ll take up to four tires, on or off rims,” said Nina Seiden, the Solid Waste and Recycling program administrator for Passaic County. Seiden added that the tire drop-off is for Passaic County residents only, not businesses.

Passaic County held a rubber recycling day last November and collected 1,400 tires. Seiden said the county is hoping to exceed that number this time around.

“It’s been a harsh winter,” Seiden said, suggesting that people may have changed their tires to get better traction and now may need to get rid of the old ones. Seiden said old tires aren’t just an eyesore, they’re a breeding ground for mosquitoes and can present a health hazard.

Another chance to get rid of some unwanted junk happens March 20 and 21, when Passaic County will be collecting computers and all sorts of electronic gear at the Para-transit yard from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is open to commercial businesses located in Passaic County as well as residents.

Seiden said the county will be collecting computers, monitors, keyboards, cell phones, audio equipment, copiers, and toner cartridges. This recycling event is for electronic gear only; the county will not be accepting household appliances or other so-called “white” items like refrigerators, air conditioners, washers, or dryers.