Food waste makes up about 20% of the total amount of waste that goes to the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority’s Regional Landfill. There are many different ways to manage food waste and unwanted food items, especially during the holiday season. Reduce your food waste and help save space in the Authority’s landfill with these food waste reduction tips and recycling reminders.
Food Waste: When food waste is landfilled it produces methane, which is one of the most harmful greenhouse gases. Instead of throwing your leftovers away, encourage Thanksgiving dinner guests to bring their own containers to fill and bring home with them. You could also try freezing or composting your leftovers or collecting them to bring to the Authority’s Utica EcoDrop so they can be recycled at our Food2Energy facility. Here, your food waste will be turned into electricity instead of going to the landfill! Food waste is $2/bag and the Utica EcoDrop is located at 824 Sewage Plant Road. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday 8am-4pm and Saturday 7am-2pm.
Cooking Oil: Cooking Oil is recyclable at the Utica EcoDrop! After being used, it should be cooled completely and be placed in a leak-proof container. After being brought to the EcoDrop, cooking oil is picked up by a rendering company that cleans the oil and processes it into animal feed. Do not pour cooking oil down the drain or directly into your garbage or recycling bin.
Donations: Make the season of giving an opportunity to clean out your pantry! Any non-perishable food items that have not passed their expiration date can be donated to one of the many local organizations accepting food donations this time of year. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, donating food is the most preferred method of preventing wasted food.
Plan Accordingly: Take the time to make a grocery list and calculate how much food you really need for your Thanksgiving dinner guests. This could also be a great opportunity to share Thanksgiving leftover recipes or ideas. Instead of stocking up on single-use paper plates, paper cups and plastic utensils, consider investing in more reusable options that can be washed and reused for your next gathering – this saves money and reduces waste!
Other Recycling Reminders
- Cardboard boxes that go in your refrigerator or freezer are not recyclable. This is because they have a chemical in them that keeps them from breaking down and falling apart if they get wet. Recycling mills are not able to remove this chemical from the paper fibers that make up the cardboard, therefore they are a garbage item. Boxes that go in your pantry can be recycled.
- Aluminum foil sheets, trays and pie plates can be recycled as long as they are free of any food residue.
- Plastic bottles, cups and containers are accepted for recycling regardless of what number they have on them. Styrofoam is an exception and should go in the garbage. Please ensure that all of your recyclables are rinsed free of any food residue before placing them in your recycling bin.
- Broken glass is not recyclable and should be put into a paper or plastic bag before placing it in your garbage bin.
- Cartons that contain milk, juice or cream can be recycled. Any other cartons, (specifically cartons with a Tetra Pak logo on them) are not recyclable and should be placed in your garbage bin.
All Authority facilities will be closed on Thanksgiving, Thursday November 27th. Regular business hours will resume on Friday, November 28th.
Have questions on how to reduce your waste this Thanksgiving? Please contact the Authority at 315-733-1224 or ohswa@ohswa.org. More information can be found on the Authority’s website at www.ohswa.org or on the Authority’s Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn pages.