Recycling FAQ

Can I recycle aerosol cans?

YES. You must follow usage directions so the entire product is dispensed. Spray nozzles do not need to be removed. If the aerosol can has a plastic lid you should remove it. Do not recycle aerosol cans that have contained paint, starter fluid, pesticides or other hazardous wastes, place them in the garbage. Place aerosol cans with your container group for recycling.

Can I recycle hardcover books?

YES. Hard cover books are now recycled in our system. Local book exchanges, libraries, nursing homes, Salvation Army Thrift Stores and the Kirkland Arts Center will take books for reuse and recycling. Hard cover books must be delivered to the Authority's Residential Convenience Station on Leland Ave. in Utica for recycling. Hard cover books are not allowed to be recycled at the curbside.

Can I recycle major appliances?

YES. Major appliances or white goods (stoves, washers, dryers and hot water heaters) are accepted for recycling at our facilities in Rome and Utica for $5.00 per item. You may also deliver them to local scrap yards for recycling. Appliances containing CFCs (freon), such as refrigerators, air conditioners and freezers are also accepted for recycling at our facilities at $10.00 per item.

Can I shred my junk mail, personal papers or confidential papers/material?

YES. Any personal or confidential papers should be destroyed before recycling. You may tear or shred personal papers before recycling the material. However, you must place this shredded material in a clear plastic bag and keep it separate from other paper group material. The Authority can offer businesses limited confidentiality during the recycling process. Once material is delivered to the Recycling Center it is baled and shipped to pulp and paper mills for recycling.

Can I recycle plastic bags with the recycling number in the triangle?

NO. Please do not place plastic grocery bags with your recyclable material. We are presently not recycling plastic film such as plastic bags. This material should be reused or taken to local grocery or drug stores that provide film plastic recycling. Do not place bags of plastic bags with your recyclables.

Can I place my recyclables in a clear plastic bag so they won't get wet or blow away?

YES. Please place your recyclables in the largest clearest plastic bag that you have available. Keep the container group separated from the paper group when using a plastic bag for recycling.

Can I recycle prescription medicine bottles?

NO. Place all prescription medicine bottles directly in the garbage.

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Regional Landfill FAQ

What types of waste are accepted at the landfill and how long will it last?

Categories of waste Acceptable for disposal at the landfill include solid waste generated by households, commercial establishments and industries, construction and demolition debris, sludge, and residues from recycling, composting, incineration, or other waste processing technologies. Wastes not accepted at the landfill include regulated hazardous waste, bulk liquids, radioactive waste and any other waste types prohibited by state and federal regulations. The landfill is estimated to last 62 years based on the current amount of waste that is annually generated within Oneida and Herkimer Counties.

Does the landfill accept waste from outside Oneida and Herkimer Counties or New York City?

No. The landfill only accepts waste generated within Oneida and Herkimer Counties. The Authority is legally prohibited from accepting waste generated outside Oneida and Herkimer Counties (Section 2049-ee of NYS Public Authorities Law).

What are the transportation routes to the landfill and how many trucks per day use these roads?

Existing state roads (Routes 12, 12 D, 294, 26 and 46) are used to haul waste to the landfill. These existing routes are used daily by private truckers to transport goods such as logs, furniture, bulk milk, fuel, gravel, etc. to and from Ava/Boonville area industries, farms and businesses. Based on an evaluation using the State Department of Transportation standards, these roads are adequate to handle the additional 50 trucks per day that includes transfer-trailers, leachate tankers and direct haul waste trucks. The Authority constructed a turn lane on NYS Route 294 and an entrance road for Site WLE-5 East in 2004. This turn lane accommodates the landfill traffic turning left off Route 294 into the landfill site, thereby minimizing the potential for traffic conflicts at this intersection. The location of the landfill site entrance road is also positioned to optimize sight distance considerations for traffic entering and exiting the landfill site.

What provisions are in place to control birds and other vectors at the landfill?

Proper operation and maintenance of the landfill are the key to adequately controlling birds and other vectors. Operating procedures which the Authority utilizes to control vectors include: adequately compacting wastes; keeping the size of the landfill's working face to the smallest practicable area; covering the working face of the landfill at the end of each work day; and maintaining a 12-inch compacted thickness of cover soil over areas of the landfill where no additional wastes have been or will be deposited within 30 days. These operating procedures are used to limit the accessibility of the wastes and consequently deter birds and other vectors from using the wastes as a food source. In addition, the Authority has entered into a contract with the USDA to control nuisance birds. Bird control techniques utilized by the USDA professionals include the use of pyrotechnics and the firing of whistling crackers.

What technologies are used at the landfill to protect groundwater?

A double composite liner system with leachate collection is employed at the landfill to protect groundwater from leachate contamination. The liner system within the landfill cells consists of a compacted clay layer, a synthetic liner and pipes to collect and convey all leachate to a pump station. The primary liner system is underlain by a secondary line system and both are monitored 24/7. Once leachate reaches the pump station it is pumped through double wall pipes to the two 1.3 million gallon leachate storage tanks before ultimate disposal at a waste water treatment plant.

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Household Hazardous Waste FAQ

How do I dispose of my insulin needles?

Answer: Place used needles in a puncture proof container such as a detergent container. Seal the detergent container and label NON-RECYCLABLE SHARPS. Place container in garbage. DO NOT PLACE WITH RECYCLABLES.

Can I place my paint cans in the garbage?

Answer: Yes. Only empty paint cans or cans with hardened paint can be placed in the garbage. You must remove all covers before you place them in the garbage. Any liquid paint may be brought to the Household Hazardous Waste Management Facility.

What do I do with asbestos insulation material from my home?

Answer: Non-friable asbestos from residents such as siding and shingles are classified as construction and demolition debris and may be disposed of as such. (Non-friable asbestos is asbestos that can not be crumbled or crushed by hand pressure.) Friable asbestos generated by residents should be double bagged and placed with solid waste for collection by your solid waste hauler. Multi-family dwellings, businesses, commercial establishments, industries or institutions that generate friable asbestos should contact the New York State Department of Labor at 793-2351 before any removal.

What do I do with propane tanks?

Answer: All propane tanks (1 lb. to 100 lbs.) should be brought to the Residential Convenience Center in Utica or Rome. Empty propane tanks can also be disposed of at your Propane Gas Vendor.

What do I do with my household batteries?

Answer: Alkaline batteries can now be recycled. All rechargeable batteries such as Nickel Cadmium should be brought to the Authority's Household Hazardous Waste Management Facility. These batteries are accepted from homeowners at no charge. Auto batteries are also accepted for recycling at no charge.

What do I do with my driveway sealer cans?

Answer: Empty or hardened driveway sealer cans should be disposed of in the garbage.  Liquid driveway sealer cans may be brought to the Utica Residential Convenience Center during the months of April through September.

What do I do with my old scrap tires?

Answer: Check with your local municipality or solid waste hauler for proper waste tire collection information. Your tires can also be delivered to the Residential Convenience Center. Check the fee schedule for current disposal price information. Individuals interested in delivering large volumes of tires should contact the office at 733-1224 or e-mail ohswa@ohswa.org for more information.

How do I dispose of fluorescent light bulbs?

Answer: It is legal for homeowners to dispose of fluorescent bulbs with their household trash. However, due to the mercury in these bulbs, we encourage homeowners to save them and deliver them to the Household Hazardous Waste Management Facility at no charge. Bulbs collected through the program are processed and mercury is recovered preventing release to the environment.

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