Summer is here, and with that comes a round of summer recycling reminders from the Authority! Check out the reminders below for some tips on how to make your summer as waste free as possible.
- Pool Items: Inflatable pools and floats, pool toys and kiddie pools are not recyclable. These items can very easily get stuck in the machines at the recycling center, leading to shutdowns so they can be removed. If you cannot repair these items, please place them in your garbage for disposal. Hard plastic kiddie/wading pools can be brought to the Utica or Rome EcoDrop to be recycled as bulky rigid plastic. Pool chemicals are household hazardous waste and can be brought to the Household Hazardous Waste facility in Utica for proper disposal.
- Fireworks: Fireworks can remain hazardous even after they have been lit! To ensure everyone’s safety, please be sure to dispose of these items properly. First, soak the fireworks in water for at least 15 minutes. After soaking, place them in a plastic bag so they do not dry out. The soaked, plastic wrapped fireworks can then be placed in your garbage bin. Fireworks are not recyclable and should not be placed in your recycling bin.
- Cookout Items: Disposable plates, cups and silverware are convenient, however they can add up to a large amount of waste pretty quickly. Since none of these items besides plastic cups are recyclable, consider switching to a reusable alternative that can be used year-round. Empty propane tanks should never be placed in your garbage or recycling bin, as they are pressurized and highly flammable. Instead, they should be brought to the Utica or Rome EcoDrop for proper disposal. All size propane tanks less than 100 pounds are accepted for free at both facilities.
Other reminders:
- Batteries: Batteries, regardless of what kind, should never be placed in your recycling bin. Whether they are disposable or rechargeable, all batteries have the potential to spark and cause fires. Household non-rechargeable alkaline, lithium and carbon zinc batteries should be placed in your garbage for disposal. Rechargeable batteries such as lithium ion, lead acid, nickel cadmium, nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion polymer batteries should be brought to the Utica or Rome EcoDrop or a participating retailer for proper disposal.
- Household Hazardous Waste: Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, pool chemicals, paints and stains and motor oil are all household hazardous items that require special disposal. Please do not place these items in your garbage or recycling bin. These items and other household hazardous waste items are accepted April-September at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, located at the Utica EcoDrop. A full list of accepted HHW items can be found at www.ohswa.org.
For more information on summer waste reduction and proper disposal of summer items, please call (315) 733-1224 or visit www.ohswa.org. Information can also be found on the Authority’s Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn pages.