Thanksgiving Waste Disposal Tips

 

Reduce Waste. Recycle Smarter. Make Every Feast Greener.

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family, and food, but did you know it’s also one of the biggest waste-producing holidays? With a few mindful steps, we can all make it more sustainable.

Holiday Recycling Tips You Can Actually Use

1. Watch What You Toss

  • Pie crust boxes, frozen food boxes, and soda cartons labeled “wet-strength” often can’t be recycled. They’re treated with chemicals to resist moisture, making them unsuitable for recycling mills. You should place these in the garbage.
  • Aluminum foil and trays can be recycled — as long as they’re clean and free of food residue.
  • Plastic bottles, jars, and containers are accepted when rinsed out.
  • Broken glass belongs in the trash — bagged and sealed.

2. Plan Your Meal Wisely

  • Use a grocery list and buy only what you need (avoid over-ordering!)
  • Encourage guests to bring reusable containers so leftovers aren’t wasted.

3. Give What You Won’t Use

  • Donate unopened, non-perishable food items to local food pantries.
  • Freeze or share surplus to avoid waste.

Local Pantries You Can Donate To

In Oneida and Herkimer County, here are a few food pantries accepting donations:

Why It Matters

  • Over Thanksgiving, waste spikes significantly — up to 25% more trash than average weeks.
  • Contamination (non-recyclables mixed in with recyclables) can damage the whole recycling load, causing more to go to landfill instead of being reused.

Let’s celebrate with intention, good food, good friends, and less waste!

A reminder that all Authority facilities will be closed on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 27th, 2025. Regular business hours will resume on Friday, November 28th, 2025.

EcoDrop Utica

824 Sewage Plant Road, Utica, NY

Hours of Operation:

Monday – Friday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Saturday: 7:00 am – 2:00 pm

EcoDrop Rome

575 Perimeter Road, Rome, NY

Hours of Operation:

Monday – Friday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Saturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm




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