The Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority’s (Authority’s) Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facility will be closing for the 2024 season on Monday, September 30th. The facility will reopen on Tuesday, April 1st, 2025.
Since the Authority started collecting HHW in 1992, over 1 million gallons of HHW have been accepted for proper disposal. In 2023, 24,723 gallons of HHW were safely treated and 35,370 gallons of paint were recycled.
What’s accepted?
The following items are accepted for disposal from April through September at the Authority’s HHW facility located at 824 Sewage Plant Road in Utica.
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· Chemistry Sets · Cleaning Solvents · Degreasers · Fertilizers · Furniture Stripper · Glues · Sealants · Pesticides · Kerosene · Oil-Based Paint
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· Latex-Based Paint · Wood Preservatives · Unusable Gasoline · Rust Preventatives · Rust Removers · Pool Chemicals · Polishes · Photographic Chemicals · Paint Thinners · Oven Cleaners
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Household hazardous wastes should be brought to the Authority’s facility in their original packaging as long as the packaging is free of any leaks or other damage. Employees at this facility are trained on the proper sorting and storage of HHW items, and making sure that they are brought in their original packaging helps ensure workers’ safety and can help streamline the disposal process.
Residents can drop off 15 wet gallons and/or 20 dry pounds of HHW per day. During the HHW collection season HHW is accepted during regular facility hours: Monday-Friday 8am-4pm and Saturday 7am-2pm. Certain businesses may qualify to use this facility but first must obtain approval and set up a drop off appointment, which can be arranged by contacting the Authority at 315-733-1224 or ohswa@ohswa.org.
Paint products can now be recycled year-round through the PaintCare program. The PaintCare program has established drop-off sites at retailers that sell paint products, expanding residents’ options for paint recycling and disposal. To learn more about what’s accepted through the PaintCare program and to find a drop-off site near you, please visit https://www.paintcare.org/states/new-york/.
How to Minimize HHW
- Read up on the products that you use and consider making a switch to nontoxic and less toxic alternatives.
- If you need to use potentially hazardous products, buy only what you need and share the rest with someone who may also need it.
- Use only the amount that is recommended on the label. Using twice the amount of a hazardous product doesn’t always mean it will work twice as well.
- Regularly check the containers that your hazardous products are in. If you notice a leak or if the package starts deteriorating, safely dispose of the chemicals before you have a big hazardous mess on your hands.
- Carefully read the entire label on your hazardous products. Labels have helpful information on the proper use, storage and disposal of hazardous chemicals.
- Never illegally burn or dump HHW. These products are toxic as they are, and can cause much larger issues if they are illegally burned or dumped.
Facility Address Change
Effective September 16, 2024, the Authority’s Utica facility address has changed from 80 Leland Ave Extension, Utica, NY 13502 to 824 Sewage Plant Road, Utica, NY 13502. This applies to the Oneida-Herkimer Recycling Center, Utica EcoDrop, Household Hazardous Waste Facility, Eastern Transfer Station, Food2Energy Facility and Compost Site. Facility hours of operation will remain the same. Monday-Friday 8am-4pm and Saturday 7am-2pm.
For any questions on the Authority’s HHW facility or address change, please contact the Authority at 315-733-1224 or ohswa@ohswa.org. More information can also be found on the Authority’s Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn pages.