Otsego County held its 17h annual Hazardous Waste Collection Day this past weekend.  On Friday morning, a satellite event was held in Unadilla at the Town Highway garage.  Approximately 110 cars dropped of hazardous material from an estimated 116 households.  The main event was held on Saturday at the Meadows Office Complex in the Town of Middlefield with approximately 362 cars dropping off hazardous materials from estimated 378 households.  A combined total of approximately 494 households took advantage of this free disposal program.

Hazardous wastes commonly found from around the home were collected throughout the day.  Liquid and solid wastes such as pesticides, lubricants, paint, cleaning chemicals and solvents were collected.  A significant amount of flammable liquids, corrosive materials and solid pesticide materials was collected.  The materials were received and packaged by MXI Environmental of Langhorne PA, the contracted vendor for the collection event.

This was the fifth year pharmaceuticals and medications were collected free of charge.  Officers from the N.Y.S. Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) supervised the collection prior to the County Sheriff’s department transporting an estimated 150 pounds to Oswego County for incineration.  Otsego County was one of the first counties in New York State to hold a pharmaceutical collection.

Other specialty items were also collected for local processing.  Approximately 75 automotive batteries were collected by Interstate Battery of North Central NY.  Approximately 34 obsolete propane tank cylinders and 60 small propane cylinders will be disposed by Suburban Energy Services.  A team of local volunteers diverted latex paint from the waste stream and poured and estimated 350 gallons into bulk containers, which will be re-mixed by Golden Artist Colors of Chenango County for eventual re-distribution to local not-for-profit agencies.  Agencies interested in obtaining the recycled paint can call the County Planning Department at 547-4225.  A separate news release is forthcoming acknowledging the availability of the re-mixed latex paint.

The success of the collection day can be credited to the assistance of the Otsego County Conservation Association who helps to organize volunteers, students from Oneonta Job Corps and the SUNY Oneonta Center for Center for Social Responsibility and Community and the efficiency of the crew from MXI Environmental.

The hazardous waste collection day is an annual public service provided by the Otsego County Board of Representatives.  The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) covers half the funds to cover the costs of this event, with the remainder coming from the county’s Solid Waste User Fee.

The above news release was provided by Meghan Lottridge from the Otsego County Office Building, Planning Department.

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