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Waste Management and Recycling

HHW collection events

Stay tuned to erie.gov/recycling or our Facebook page for registration information. 

If you to want to be notified when the next event is scheduled, please join our Mailing List

Other Wastes:

New York State mandates that solid waste be handled in the following manner: reduce, reuse, recycle, landfill, and, lastly, waste to energy. The following page summarizes local solid waste contacts, facilities, and programs offered in Western New York.

If you have any questions or comments on solid waste management, please call the Department of Environment and Planning at (716) 858-6800. See below for ways to handle common household items. 

Cellular Phones

  • It’s not a question of whether to recycle your old cell phone, but rather how. You help the environment by properly recycling your phone because cell phones contain a number of hazardous substances that can seriously impact the environment. A good source to review these options is through the Earth 911 website.
  • There are a number of organizations that collect cell phones to raise money. For example, the Buffalo Zoo works with Eco-Cell who pays up to $10 per digital phone. They, in turn, ensure that most of these cell phones and their accessories will be reused or properly recycled. To find out more about this program, go to the Buffalo Zoo Eco-cell webpage.
  • View a listing of local places to recycle your cell phone

lifecycle of rags - click to download pdf

Clothing and Textiles

Take a look at what happens to unwearable textiles when they are recycled.

Click image to download pdf. Source: SMART: Secondary Materials And Recycled Textiles

Did you know Erie County is part of the WNY Coalition for Donated Goods?

For more information contact Gary Carrel at (716) 858-4805 or gary.carrel@erie.gov

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFL)

Computer/Electronics Recycling

Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG) Collection

Hazardous Waste Disposal for Businesses, Municipalities, Schools and Agencies

The Erie County CESQG Hazardous Waste Program is a service providing a convenient, cost-effective, and environmentally acceptable method of disposal for generators of small amounts of hazardous waste. Any Western New York business, municipality, school, school district, or other agency that meets the requirements of the regulations for a CESQG as defined in 6NYCRR Part 372 may participate.  

A CESQG generates less than:

1 Kg/month of acute hazardous waste or

100 Kg/month of a listed and/or characteristic hazardous waste (100 Kg is approximately 220 pounds or 25 gallons of liquid) and

Never stores more than 1000 Kg at any time 

How do I get started?

If you would like more information about participating in the CESQG Program, please contact Erie County at 716-858-4805 or gary.carrel@erie.gov.  We will discuss your waste disposal issues and help find the best solution. We will also provide you with the Certification form which guides you through the process. 

How does it work?

When you return the completed Certification form detailing the types and amounts of each hazardous waste, disposal costs will be calculated.   If you agree to the disposal costs, you will be assigned an appointment to drop-off your waste (usually Spring or Fall collection).  Payment is due at the drop-off. Participants are responsible for transporting their own waste to the collection site.  New York State regulations allow CESQG participants to haul up to 100 Kg of hazardous waste.  Erie County contracts with a licensed hazardous waste company to take the wastes to a State-approved facility.

Read the product label and SDS to identify any hazardous ingredients. Products labeled: “poison”, “toxic”, “warning”, “danger”, “caution”, “combustible”, “corrosive”, “flammable”, “reactive” require proper disposal. 

Does it Save Money?

YES! Cost savings are realized from the economy of scale resulting from multiple generators disposing together at one drop-off site. You also save by transporting your waste and avoiding the cost of contracting with a hazardous waste disposal firm.

Pharmaceutical Waste (Medications) 

Recent news about the detection of prescription drugs in drinking water has caused concern about the impact on human health. Also, storing expired and unwanted medications in your home increases the risk of accidental poisoning. Help protect our water and your safety by disposing of medicines properly through collection and incineration.Please visit the Erie County Department of Health website for information about proper disposal.

Erie County Community Climate Smart Action Plan

Read the Erie County Community Climate Smart Action Plan

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