Otsego County held its 22nd annual Hazardous Waste Collection Day this past weekend. On Friday morning, a satellite event was held in Unadilla at the Town Highway garage. Approximately 170 cars dropped off hazardous materials. The main event was held on Saturday at the Meadows Office Complex in the Town of Middlefield with approximately 750 cars dropping off hazardous materials. A combined total of approximately 920 households took advantage of this free disposal program and contributed to record breaking totals.

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 Services, the contracted vendor for the collection event.

This was the tenth year pharmaceuticals and medications were collected free of charge. Officer Fetterman from the N.Y.S. Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) supervised the collection prior to the County Sheriff’s department transporting an estimated 200 pounds to Oswego County for incineration. Otsego County was one of the first counties in New York State to hold a pharmaceutical collection.

An electronic collection was held at the main event in Cooperstown, with over 20,000 pounds of televisions, computers, phones, and other electronic equipment collected for recycling by Evolution Recycling of Johnstown, New York.

Other specialty items were also collected for local processing. Approximately 240 automotive batteries were collected. Around 2500 pounds of household batteries. Approximately 225 propane tanks will be disposed by Suburban Energy Services. A team of local volunteers diverted latex paint from the waste stream and poured an estimated 650 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 (OCCA) who helps to organize volunteers, students from SUNY Oneonta, County Highway and Sheriff’s Department, NYS DEC and the efficiency of the crew from MXI Environmental Services.

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.

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