Disposal of Other Items

Paint Cans

The PaintCare program offers year-round free drop-offs of leftover paint throughout our area. Learn more about proper paint disposal. Note: All empty paint cans (both oil and latex) should be discarded with your regular trash (NOT in the recycling bin). Metal cans will ultimately be recycled after recovery at the Waste-to-Energy Facility.

Cardboard boxes, including moving boxes, must be flattened/cut into sizes no bigger than 3 by 3 feet. Do not tie or bundle pieces of cardboard together.

Carpeting/Carpet Remnants

Small throw rugs may be bagged and included in your weekly trash pick-up.  Your larger carpets and remnants will be picked up by Syracuse Haulers for a fee.  You must contact them to find out the fee and to arrange a special pick-up date.  These larger pieces must be prepared ahead for the special pick-up.  Please cut your carpet into strip(s) no longer than three feet on one side.  Then roll them up and bind them with any kind of tape or rope or string.  There is a weight restriction of 55 to 75 lbs.

Sharps

Put used sharps in an empty detergent bottle, firmly duct-tape the cap on, label the bottle “sharps” and then place the bottle in your TRASH CAN.  Residents can also contact local hospitals to find out where and when to dispose of sharps.

NEVER place containers of sharps (needles, syringes and lancets) in your curbside recycling bin, where they can be a safety hazard to workers who sort recyclables. Visit OCRRA’s sharps guide to see options for properly disposing of sharps.

Large Items

Large items include (but are not limited to) the following:

There is no large trash pickup in the town outside of the villages. Bulk trash pickups must be arranged through Syracuse Haulers for a fee. These kinds of items cannot be placed in the normal trash. Please contact them directly to arrange for a pick-up. You may also contact OCRRA, (315) 453-2866 or Camillus Land Fill (315) 488-4846 for drop off guidelines. Explore OCRRA’s list of acceptable items, hours, and fees.

Household Batteries

Household batteries may contain toxic metals and should never be put in your trash or recycling bin. Review OCRRA’s Batteries Management Page.

There are battery drop-off receptacles at the Wegmans grocery stores. Please see the OCRRA website (or call them) to find out how to prepare your batteries  for disposal.

OCRRA accepts batteries year round at their Rock Cut Road location. Vehicle batteries are not accepted by OCRRA. Please return it to the place of purchase.

Note: Bodow Recycling also accepts auto batteries (all lead acid batteries), copper, aluminum, brass, stainless steel, catalytic converts, scrap cars & farm machinery, non- ferrous metals to name a few.

Fiberglass

Syracuse Haulers will not pick up any fiberglass. However, fiberglass is accepted by OCRRA. Size restrictions apply. The contact OCRRA phone number is (315) 453-2866.

Broken Glass

Wrap the broken glass in newspaper and seal it shut someway (i.e. a strong tape, inside a plastic bag). Then label the packaging "broken glass" so as to protect the haulers as they handle it and place it in the trash.

Mulch, Soil, Sod

Syracuse Haulers will not take any mulch or soil.  If you are putting out bushes, plants etc. make sure all sod is removed from the roots. Also, any shrubs/bushes must be cut into sections no bigger than 3 X 3 feet. When you put them out to the road, place them upside down with the roots showing.

Tires

Syracuse Haulers will dispose of these for you for a fee. They will also dispose of the tire rims but be sure to have any rims removed from the tires before putting them out for pick-up by Syracuse Haulers.

Freezer/Refrigerator/Air Conditioner/Dehumidifier/Old appliances

Syracuse Haulers will pick any of these items up for a fee. You will have to contact them for a price quote. There is a higher fee for any items containing refrigerants such as freon.  Refrigerants are a potent pollutant, if leaked, and must be disposed of properly.  

OCRRA accepts many household appliances but does not supply any pick-up services. Review the list of acceptable items, hours, and fees (there is an extra fee for items with refrigerants).

You may contact “Appliances Unlimited”.  This business will help you dispose of freezers, refrigerators, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers. They also supply pick-up services for these items if you wish. Contact them for current fees and further details.

Bruin Recycling also accepts computer equipment and appliances. 

Household Hazardous Waste

There are many household items, from automotive products to cleaning supplies, that shouldn’t go in the trash, recycling bin or down the drain. Syracuse Haulers will not pick up hazardous material. OCRRA’s Household Toxics Program offers free drop-off of various items. Appointments are required. Please wait until you have at least a box full of toxics ready to drop off before making an appointment. While this program is free to residents, OCRRA pays a flat fee for each appointment, regardless of the number of household toxics you bring. Help keep costs down by bringing items in bulk so they can continue offering this service at no charge. Business materials are not accepted under OCRRA’s household toxics program.

Fluorescent Bulbs

Fluorescent bulbs contain a small amount of mercury. To dispose of them properly, residents may bring them to one of multiple locations in Onondaga County. See OCRRA’s list of acceptable drop-off points.

Telephone Books, paperback books and magazines

These items are now recyclable and can be placed in your recycle bin. Hardcover books must be placed in the trash.

Mercury Thermometers and Thermostats

Mismanaged mercury can be toxic and have detrimental effects on the nervous system as well as the environment, under certain circumstances. OCRRA offers an annual Mercury Thermometer and Thermostat Collection Event in the fall. Keep an eye on their Events page for announcements. Visit OCRRA.org for year-round drop-off options.

Propane tanks, fire extinguishers, empty helium tanks

Propane tanks:  ONLY empty 1-pound camping propane tanks may be thrown in the trash (NOT the blue bin). The large 20-pound tanks (used with full-sized outdoor grills) can be refilled and reused repeatedly. Never put the 20-pound and larger tanks into the trash or recycling bin. Syracuse Haulers will not pick them up. If you cannot reuse your 20-pound or larger tank, review OCRRA’s list of businesses that will accept large propane tanks for recycling. 

Fire Extinguishers

Syracuse Haulers will not pick up this item. OCRRA has put together a list of locations you can call in advance for drop-off instructions. Do NOT put fire extinguishers in your trash or recycling bins.

Empty Helium Tanks

Syracuse Haulers will not pick up this item. They do not belong in your trash or recycling bins. Review OCRRA’s information for proper disposal.

Construction Debris

Syracuse Haulers will pick this up FOR A FEE. Two other options are Camillus Landfill or OCRRA. Review OCRRA’s fees, hours, and the list of acceptable items in advance, if items cannot be donated.

TVs and other electronics

NYS consumers are required to recycle many electronic waste items, such as computers, televisions, small scale servers, etc., in an environmentally responsible manner. Collection sites partnering with the NYSDEC offer drop-off services. 

Review OCRRA’s guide for recycling electronics that are covered by the law. Please note that each location determines which electronics they will accept and if there will be a fee. It is important to call in advance for details. 

Elected officials in the area often host free e-waste collections throughout the year. Check with your representative for a schedule of drop-off events. Not everything that plugs in requires special disposal. Review OCRRA’s guidance on small and large appliances.

Various Electronics and Appliances (call for details/pricing):