The Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority’s (Authority’s) Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facility will be closing for the 2025 season on Tuesday, September 30th. The facility will reopen on Wednesday April 1st, 2026.
Since the Authority started collecting HHW in 1992, over 1 million gallons of HHW have been collected for proper disposal. In the 2024 season, 19,560 gallons of HHW were safely treated and 32,670 gallons of paint were recycled through the PaintCare program.
The following items are accepted for disposal from April through September at the Authority’s HHW facility located at 824 Sewage Plant Road in Utica.
- Chemistry Sets
- Cleaning Solvents
- Degreasers
- Fertilizers
- Furniture Stripper
- Glues
- Sealants
- Pesticides
- Kerosene
- Oil-Based Paint
- Latex-Based Paint
- Wood Preservatives
- Unusable Gasoline
- Rust Preventatives
- Rust Removers
- Pool Chemicals
- Polishes
- Photographic Chemicals
- Paint Thinners
- Oven Cleaners
Household hazardous wastes should be brought to the Authority’s facility in their original packaging as long as it is free of any leaks or other damage. Employees at this facility are trained on the proper sorting and storage of HHW items, and making sure they are brought in their original packaging helps ensure workers’ safety and can help streamline the disposal process.
Residents can drop off 15 gallons and/or 20 pounds of HHW per day. During the collection season, HHW is accepted during regular facility hours: Monday-Friday 8am-4pm and Saturday 7am-2pm. Certain businesses may qualify to use this facility but first must obtain approval and set up a drop off appointment by contacting the Authority at 315-733-1224 or ohswa@ohswa.org. HHW is not accepted at the Authority’s Rome facility or Regional Landfill.
Paint products can now be recycled year-round through the PaintCare program. The PaintCare program has established drop-off sites at retailers that sell paint products, expanding residents’ options for recycling and disposal. To learn more about what’s accepted through the PaintCare program and to find a drop-off site near you, please visit www.paintcare.org.
How to Minimize HHW:
- Research the products that you use and consider switching to less toxic or non-toxic alternatives.
- If you need to use potentially hazardous products, buy only what you need and share the rest with someone who may also need it.
- Use only the amount that is recommended on the label. Using twice the amount of a hazardous products doesn’t always mean it will work twice as well.
- Regularly check the containers that your hazardous products are in. If you notice a leak or if the package starts deteriorating, safely dispose of the item before it spills.
- Carefully read the entire label before using your hazardous products. Labels have helpful information on the proper use, storage and disposal of hazardous chemicals.
- Never illegally dump or burn HHW. These products are toxic as they are and can cause much larger issues if they are disposed of improperly.
The Authority’s Utica and Rome EcoDrop facilities are open year-round for the disposal of special or one-time waste items. This includes:
- Household Garbage
- Household Recycling
- Green Waste
- Electronics
- Appliances
- Tires
- Bulky Rigid Plastic
- Bulk Items
- Automobile Batteries
- Rechargeable Batteries
- Scrap Metal
- Used Motor Oil
- Used Antifreeze
- Used Cooking Oil
- Propane/Helium Tanks
- Construction & Demolition Debris
Some items are subject to a disposal fee. The Utica EcoDrop is located at 824 Sewage Plant Road and is open Monday-Friday 8am-4pm and Saturday 7am-2pm. The Rome EcoDrop is located at 575 Perimeter Road and is open Monday-Friday 8am-4pm and Saturday 8am-12pm.
For more information on the end of the HHW collection season, please visit www.ohswa.org or contact the Authority at 315-733-1224 or ohswa@ohswa.org. The Authority can also be found on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.