How do I recycle or dispose of...

Did you know that pouring large quantities of liquid fats, such as cooking grease or oil, down the drain is a major cause of sewer clogs? When pipes and sewer lines become blocked, raw sewage may back up onto streets, parking lots, and into nearby homes and businesses. This overflow can contaminate local water supplies, including drinking water, creating a public health hazard. If you are on a septic system, the grease and oil can build up there as well and make more frequent tank pump-outs a necessity.

There are several locations where residents can bring their
used cooking oil and grease for free:

1) Baker Commodities -  call 458-4901 for drop-off hours and directions.

2) Metropolitan Syracuse Wastewater Treatment Plant* - 650 Hiawatha Boulevard West, Syracuse, NY

Pour cooled grease or oil into a container, seal it, and bring it to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. It must be in liquid form. The Wastewater Treatment Plant is located just south of Carousel Center. Stop at the main gate and press the intercom button to announce that you are dropping off grease at the waste hauler station. Afterwards, pass through the main gate and turn right. Stop at the Waste Hauler Control Facility in the New Screen and Grit Building (on your left).

Personnel are available 7 days a week from 9 AM to 5 PM to collect the grease and oil. There is no charge for recycling the used cooking grease and oil, but residents may be asked to sign their name and address on a form.

Grease and Oil Disposal Tips:

1.      Scrape or wipe dishes that contain oily food wastes, such as gravies and salad dressings into a garbage can instead of into the kitchen sink.

2.      Put fat trimmings from meat in the garbage, do not put them down the disposal, as disposal residue is emptied into the sewer or septic system.

3.      Pour oil and grease that is left over from pots and pans into a closed container to be recycled or as the oil and grease solidifies after cooling, wipe or scrape the contents into a garbage can.

4.      Rinse dishes and pans with cold water before putting them in the dishwasher. Hot water melts the fats, oils, and grease off the dishes and deposits them into the sewer pipes. Later on in the sewer, the hot water will cool and the grease will clog the pipes.

* Note: The Wastewater Treatment Plant grease recycling service is not available to commercial food preparation businesses. For commercial grease recycling solutions check the Verizon Yellow Pages under “Rendering Companies.”

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OCRRA accepts EMPTY metal gas tanks (vehicle / machinery tanks) at both the Rock Cut Road and the Ley Creek Transfer Stations. Tanks must be cut in half so there is no question that they are empty.

Other options:
Each of the locations listed below have separate tank preparation requirements (some must have holes punched in them, others require they are cut in half and are clean and dry. Call in advance for details.
Ben Weitsman & Son, 333 Bridge St, Solvay, 488-3171
Metalico, 6223 Thompson Rd, Syr, 463-9292
Roth Steel,  800 Hiawatha Blvd, Syr, 475-8431

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Deliver to one of OCRRA's Transfer Stations; NO propane tanks.

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Please call first; each location below has different tank preparation requirements and restrictions on what types of tanks they accept. Disposal charges may apply:

Ben Weitsman & Son, 333 Bridge St, Solvay, 488-3171
Bodow Recycling, 1925 Park St, Syr, 422-2552
Metalico, 6223 Thompson Rd, Syr, 463-9292
Roth Steel,  800 Hiawatha Blvd, Syr, 475-8431

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Deliver to one of OCRRA's Transfer Stations.

If disposing of a lawn mower be sure to remove the gas tank, puncture a hole about the size of a golf ball in the tank and remove any liquids from the machine. This will prevent combustion or accidents during transportation and disposal.

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•     Small, 1-pound cylinders, often used when camping, should be completely emptied and put in the trash (NOT the Blue Bin). Just like all other cans with contents under pressure (spray paint, WD-40, etc.), please be sure to use up all the contents before tossing them into the trash, as they may ignite. 

•     Larger 20-pound tanks, used with full-size outdoor grills, can be refilled and reused repeatedly. Twenty pound (and larger) tanks should never be tossed into the trash or Blue Bin. If you would like to dispose of one of these larger tanks, call any of the locations below.

Each location has different tank preparation requirements (e.g. valves may need to be removed or tanks may need to be cut in half) and restrictions about what types of tanks they accept. Disposal charges may apply. Please call in advance for details.

Ben Weitsman & Son, 333 Bridge St, Solvay, 488-3171
BJ's Wholesale Club*, 4145 Route 31, Clay, 622-2600
BJ's Wholesale Club*, 2 Chevy Dr, East Syr, 434-9100
Bodow Recycling, 1925 Park St, Syr, 422-2552
Energy Gases, 5851 Butternut Dr, E. Syr, 446-8400
Farmers Co-op*, 82 E. Genesee St, B'ville, 635-5221
Metalico, 6223 Thompson Rd, Syr, 463-9292
Roth Steel, 800 Hiawatha Blvd, Syr, 475-8431

*Only accepts 20 lb. tanks.

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