Event Date: April 13, 2019

This year marks the 49^th annual Earth Day when people from across the Country join together to participate in events that help improve and protect our environment. In celebration of Earth Day 2019, the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority (Authority) is partnering with State Senator Joseph Griffo to host its annual Earth Day events on Saturday, April 13^th.   

The Authority will hold its annual Earth Day events at the Oneida-Herkimer Recycling Center, Leland Avenue Extension, Utica, on Saturday, April 13^th as follows:

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM  

• Free Confidential Paper Shredding in cooperation with CONFIDATA—There will be a limit of three (3) boxes of papers/documents per vehicle. Businesses and professional offices are not eligible to participate in this event. Computer discs, tapes and other recording media will also be accepted but must be separated from the paper. All material will be immediately shredded and placed in a collection vehicle for recycling. Residents do not need to remove their name or other personal information from the documents.
• Free Collection & Disposal of Unused Medication and Pharmaceuticals in cooperation with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and the Oneida County Sewer District —Accepted items include expired or unwanted prescriptions/medications (liquid, pill or powder form), over the counter medications, vitamins/supplements and veterinary/pet medications. If you are unable to attend this event, residents may deliver pharmaceuticals to numerous permanent locations for disposal. Visit ohswa.org for a list of locations.

Additionally, the programs listed below are offered year-round and will be accepted from 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM on   April 13th.

• Electronics Drop-Off – Residents can drop off electronic waste such as TVs, computers and video game consoles at no charge. This program is offered year-round. Visit ohswa.org for a full list of acceptable items.
• Bulky Rigid Plastics Drop-Off – Residents can deliver bulky rigid plastic items that cannot be accepted and recycled through curbside recycling at no cost. Bulky rigid plastics are hard plastic items (not film or flexible plastic) such as clean plastic drums, totes and empty garbage cans, clean buckets/pails, plastic toys (i.e. playhouses), plastic lawn furniture and coolers, plastic pallets and shelving, plastic laundry baskets and plastic recycling bins & carts. Bulky rigid plastics cannot be mixed with other plastic recyclables and cannot be set-out with regular curbside recyclables. This program is offered year-round.
• Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off – Residents can drop off household hazardous waste such as paint and chemicals at no charge. This program is offered April 1^st – September 30^th each year.
• Clothing & Textiles Drop-Off – Residents can drop off unwanted clothing, shoes, belts, purses, blankets, sheets and drapes for reuse and recycling. This program is offered year-round.
• Compost for Purchase – The Authority’s compost has been certified by the US Composting Council under its Seal of Testing Assurance Program as consistent, high-quality compost. This means the Authority’s compost has been tested by third party laboratories to ensure that it meets all state and federal environmental requirements.
  • Screened, cured compost material will be available for purchase:
    • Bagged Price: Bags of compost weigh about 45 pounds each and are $2.00 each, or 3 bags for $5.00
    • Pick-up Truck Price: $15.00 per small pick-up truck, $20.00 per large pick-up truck
    • Bulk Price: $15.00 per cubic yard loaded in your dump truck

For more information regarding the Authority’s Earth Day events or for hours of operation and information on special recycling programs, please visit www.ohswa.org or call the Authority’s Office at (315) 733-1224. You can also visit the Authority’s Facebook page (Oneida Herkimer Solid Waste Authority) to ask questions and find more information on these topics.