Quick Answer: Residents of Oneida and Herkimer Counties can bring scrap metal to EcoDrop Utica or EcoDrop Rome for recycling at no charge. A scrap metal recycling container is located at each location. Scrap metals include aluminum, tin, cast iron, steel, stainless steel, copper, zinc, brass and bronze — items like pots and pans, bicycles, grills, and car parts. These items cannot be placed in your curbside recycling bin.
What counts as scrap metal?
Scrap metal covers household metal items that cannot go in your curbside bin. Scrap metals include aluminum, tin, cast iron, steel, stainless steel, copper, zinc, brass, and bronze.
Which household items count as scrap metal?
- Pots and pans
- Grills
- Bicycles
- Pipes and rebar
- Wire clothes hangers
- Aluminum window frames
- Iron furniture
Not every metal item is scrap metal — appliances, electronics and propane tanks each have their own drop-off.
What doesn't belong in your curbside recycling bin?
Your curbside recycling bin does take metal, but only a few items: soup cans, soda cans, deposit cans, aluminum foil wrap, foil plates and trays, metal lids, and empty aerosol cans (leave the stems and valves on).
Our curbside guidelines specifically exclude:
- Pots and pans
- Silverware
- Small appliances
- Combination metal and cardboard containers, like cocoa and motor oil canisters
A cast iron skillet in the recycling bin isn't a small mistake — it's a scrap metal item in the wrong stream. Set it aside for your next trip to an EcoDrop.
Where do you take scrap metal in Oneida and Herkimer Counties?
Scrap metal goes to EcoDrop Utica or EcoDrop Rome. There's a scrap metal recycling container at each location, and it takes all types of scrap metal — so there's no need to sort your load by metal type before you arrive.
EcoDrop residential rates apply to residents only. Businesses should call us for rules, regulations, and rates.
If you have a large amount of scrap metal, other scrap metal recycling locations in the area may be more convenient than a trip to EcoDrop, and they typically pay for the material. A quick search in your area will usually turn up options and what they're currently paying.
Metal items with their own drop-off rules
Not everything metal goes in the scrap metal container. Similar items have separate handling at EcoDrop Utica and EcoDrop Rome:
- Appliances (stove, washing machine, dryer) — no charge
- Appliances with CFCs (refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner) — $10 per item
- Automobile batteries — no charge
- Empty propane tanks and cylinders under 100 lbs. — no charge
- Tires up to 20" — $5.50 off the rim, $10.00 with the rim
- Electronics and computer equipment — accepted year-round, no charge
Quick Answers
Q: Can I put pots and pans in my curbside recycling bin?
A: No. Pots and pans cannot be placed in your curbside recycling bin. Bring them to the scrap metal recycling container at EcoDrop Utica or EcoDrop Rome instead.
Q: What metals does the Authority accept as scrap metal?
A: Scrap metals include aluminum, tin, cast iron, steel, stainless steel, copper, zinc, brass and bronze.
Q: Is there a charge to drop off scrap metal?
A: No. Scrap metal is accepted for recycling at no charge.
Q: Do I have to sort my scrap metal by type before dropping it off?
A: No. The scrap metal recycling container at each location accepts all types of scrap metal.
Q: Where can Herkimer County residents drop off scrap metal?
A: Herkimer County residents can use either facility. EcoDrop Utica is at 824 Sewage Plant Road in Utica; EcoDrop Rome is at 575 Perimeter Road in Rome.
Q: Are metal cans still recyclable at the curb?
A: Yes. Soup cans, soda cans, deposit cans, aluminum foil wrap, foil plates and trays, metal lids, and empty aerosol cans all belong in your curbside recycling bin — loose, not bagged.
Q: Can businesses drop off scrap metal?
A: EcoDrop residential rates apply to residents only. Businesses should call the Authority for rules, regulations, and rates.