On Thursday, April 1st, the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority’s (Authority) Household Hazardous Waste Facility (HHW) opens for its 29th season.
The household hazardous waste program was designed to accept waste products from homes that can cause problems for our environment when discarded improperly. Since the Authority began collecting household hazardous waste 29 years ago, over one million gallons of paint and chemicals have been received and either recycled or safely disposed of.
Although the Authority’s facilities are open year-round, paint, chemicals and other household hazardous waste is only accepted from April 1st to September 30th each year. Household hazardous waste is only accepted at the Authority’s EcoDrop Utica which is located at the end of Leland Ave in North Utica and is open to Oneida and Herkimer County residents Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There is no charge for residents to deliver paint, chemicals, or other household hazardous waste to the facility. No appointments are necessary for households.
The Authority would like to remind residents that face coverings or masks are required to be worn while at its facilities until further notice.
Examples of wastes accepted include oil-based and latex paints, pesticides, oven cleaners and photographic chemicals. Some items, such as electronics, motor oil, rechargeable batteries, propane cylinders (under 100 lbs.) and fluorescent light bulbs, are accepted year-round at both the Utica and Rome EcoDrops. There is no charge for residents to drop off these items.
Households are limited to 14 wet gallons and/or 20 dry pounds per trip. Only liquid paint is accepted. Empty paint cans or cans with hardened paint should be placed in your regular garbage with the lids removed.
Certain businesses may also qualify to use the facility. To obtain approval, please call Environmental Compliance Coordinator Justin Fitch, at (315) 733-1224 ext. 4302.
For more information on household hazardous waste disposal, please call the Authority office at (315) 733-1224 or visit the website at www.ohswa.org. The Authority also encourages residents and businesses to visit www.AmIRecyclable.com, which provides users with a tool to quickly search thousands of items for proper recycling and disposal instructions.