Recycling-Conservation in Action

Since our founding, OCCA has been deeply engaged in recycling, composting, and solid waste education. We recognize that responsible waste management is a cornerstone of environmental conservation, and we’ve made it a priority to help our community reduce, reuse, and recycle. Over the years, we’ve offered hands-on composting workshops, school presentations, and public outreach events designed to give residents practical tools for making sustainable choices every day.

OCCA also partners closely with the Otsego County Solid Waste and Planning Department to align messaging, support county programs, and expand access to reliable information about recycling and waste disposal. Together with the county and other local partners, we work to make sure residents know how to recycle correctly, start backyard composting, and take advantage of special collection events for items that can’t go in the bin. By serving as a trusted local resource, OCCA is helping build a cleaner, more sustainable, and waste-conscious Otsego County.

  • Two people standing in front of a pile of old electronics and electronic waste in a truck bed.

    Drive Through, Drop Off Recycling

    Mark your calendars for our upcoming recycling day in April 2025! OCCA is inviting all Otsego County residents to bring their hard-to-recycle items to Brewery Ommegang. We've made it as convenient as possible for you-simply drop off your items, and we'll take care of the rest. The 2024 Drive-Through Drop-Off happened on April 27, and we collected over 5000 pounds of hard-to-recycle items.

  • A young girl wearing glasses, a pink hat with earflaps, a teal and green winter jacket, and gray pants stands next to a large blue recycling bin filled with paper. She is holding a Target shopping bag in one hand and reaching into the bin with the other. The background features a colorful Easter-themed display with decorated eggs and rabbit images.

    Plastic Bag Challenge

    OCCA, Otsego County Department of Solid Waste, and Casella Waste Management are proud sponsors of this significant challenge, inspired by a national initiative by Trex Company, Inc. The challenge's primary aim is to educate our youth and the wider community about the correct recycling methods for plastic bags and other film plastics. These items, such as bubble wrap, wood pellet bags, food storage bags, and package wrap, cannot be recycled in curbside programs or at County transfer stations. However, they can be conveniently dropped off at most grocery stores and other large retailers. By recycling film plastics, we can create a range of new products, including composite lumber and decking, plastic bags, and pallets, crates, and pipe.

    The next challenge will begin in November 2025. The winners from the 2024 challenge were Unatego Elementary, which collected 2823 pounds of plastic, and Gibertsville Mount Upton Middle/High, which collected 490 pounds. Check with your local school district to see if they are participating.

  • People gathering outdoors at a table with cans and supplies, participating in a community service event in a parking lot on a cloudy day.

    Household Hazardous Waste Day

    Household Hazardous Waste Day (HHWD), is a way for residents and businesses to dispose of materials not-suitable for regular garbage processing. The program is sponsored by the Otsego County Solid Waste Department and occurs in August. Visit: Otsego County Solid Waste for specific details.

  • A booklet cover from the Otsego County Conservation Association titled 'How to Get Rid of...' with recycling symbol and green, beige, and brown colors, providing guidance on recycling and waste disposal in Otsego County.

    How to Get Rid Of....

    Click on the link below to learn how to recycle an/or properly dispose of items here in Otsego County.

    CLICK HERE

  • A man and woman smiling and holding a lamp together inside a brick-walled room with large windows. The man is wearing a black long-sleeve shirt and jeans, while the woman is wearing a purple jacket and a green hat.

    Repair Cafe

    Repair Cafés: A Community Fix for a Sustainable Future

    In 2025, OCCA partnered with Otsego 2000 and the Otsego Land Trust to bring a series of Repair Cafés to the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market and the annual Earth Festival. Inspired by the global movement that began in Amsterdam in 2009, Repair Cafés are community events that encourage people to repair rather than discard broken items. These gatherings offer free, hands-on help from skilled volunteer coaches who assist with fixing everything from small appliances to clothing and household items. By reducing waste and sharing repair skills, Repair Cafés strengthen community connections and promote a more sustainable lifestyle.