UTICA — The last day for the 2022 season of Household Hazardous Waste collection at the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority’s EcoDrop Utica will be Friday, Sept. 30. Household Hazardous Waste collection will reopen April 1, 2023. 

Since the inception of the Household Hazardous Waste program in 1992, the Authority has safely disposed of over 1 million gallons of hazardous waste, with 61,163 gallons being safely disposed of in 2021. 

The Authority’s EcoDrop Utica, located at the end of Leland Avenue Ext., will accept household hazardous waste from residents of Oneida and Herkimer counties, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday through the month of September. 

The Household Hazardous Waste program was designed to accept waste products from homes that can cause problems for humans and our environment when discarded improperly.

Examples of wastes accepted include oil-based and latex paints, pesticides, oven cleaners and photographic chemicals.

Once received, items are sorted by hazard class and properly disposed or recycled. 

Households are allowed to drop off 14 wet gallons and/or 20 dry pounds of waste per trip. Liquid paint may be brought to EcoDrop Utica, however empty paint cans or cans with hardened paint should be placed in the garbage. You must remove all covers before placing them in the garbage. 

Electronics/televisions/computer equipment, propane cylinders (under 100 lbs.), fluorescent light bulbs and many other common household items are accepted year-round at the Utica and Rome EcoDrop, at no charge.

Many paint products can be disposed of year-round for no charge at local PaintCare drop-off locations.  

Certain businesses may also qualify to use the facility by appointment only. To obtain approval, call Justin Fitch, superintendent of waste collection, at 315-733-1224 ext. 4302. 

“Improperly disposing of hazardous waste doesn’t just impact the environment,” Authority Recycling Coordinator Eileen Brinck said.

“Sanitation workers, your family and even your pets can be impacted by hazardous waste, so proper storage and disposal is critical,” she continued. 

To request an EcoDrop brochure featuring a list of acceptable waste and a map to the facility, call the authority office at 315-733-1224 or visit the website at www.ohswa.org.