This year marks the 47th 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 2017, the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority (the Authority) will be hosting its annual Earth Day events on Saturday, April 22nd.
In an effort to increase backyard composting, conserve water usage and improve municipal stormwater runoff, this year the Authority is hosting an online preorder sale of compost bins and rainwater barrels. Residents must preorder compost bins and/or rain barrels online by April 9th. Residents will be able to pick up preordered compost bins and rain barrels on April 22nd at the Oneida-Herkimer Recycling Center from 8 AM – 2 PM. Compost bins and rain barrels will not be sold on April 22nd.
- How to Order a Compost Bin or Rain Barrel – Visit www.oneidaherkimercompostersale.ecwid.com. Please note: Orders for compost bins and rain barrels must be completed online before April 9th.
- Backyard Compost Bins - $50.00 (includes tax)
- Rain Barrels - $60.00 (includes tax)
The Authority will hold its annual Earth Day events at the Oneida-Herkimer Recycling Center, 80 Leland Avenue Ext., Utica, on Saturday, April 22nd as follows:
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Free Tours of the Recycling Center will be given from 10:00 am to 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 the Oneida County Sewer District and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation—Accepted items include expired or unwanted prescriptions/medications (liquid, pill or powder form), over the counter medications, vitamins/supplements and veterinary/pet medications.
- Free Information about Oneida County Sewer District’s Operation Ripple Effect.
- Free Utica “Zoomobile” Demonstrations will take place featuring animals from the Utica Zoo.
- 96.9 WOUR – The Rock of Central New York will be on site for a live broadcast from 11 – 1 PM.
- Appearance from Utica Comets Mascot “Audie” from 11 AM – 1 PM.
If you cannot attend the Earth Day events, keep in mind that the programs listed below are offered year-round.
- 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 1st – September 30th each year.
- 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.
- 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
- Disposal of Pharmaceuticals –Residents may deliver pharmaceuticals to the following permanent locations for disposal:
- Utica Police Department – 413 Oriskany Street West, Utica
- Herkimer Police Department – Herkimer Police Department, Herkimer
- Ilion Police Department – 55 First Street, Ilion
- Dolgeville Police Department – 41 North Main Street, Dolgeville
- Rome Justice Building – North James Street, Rome
- Screened, cured compost material will be available for purchase:
For more information regarding the Authority’s Earth Day events, for a list of other local Earth Day activities, or for hours of operation and information on special recycling programs, please Contact Us. You can also visit the Authority’s Facebook page (Oneida Herkimer Solid Waste Authority) to ask questions and find more information on these topics.