GAYLORD — Springtime in Otsego County includes cleaning out houses, garages, garden sheds, pole barns, and other places. The Otsego Conservation District reminds everyone there is a lot of material that can be recycled and some that can't be repurposed.

Because hoses are made out of vinyl, rubber, or polyurethane, they do not fall under materials for the recycling program. Also phone cords, rope, and other long cording could end up getting tangled in machinery, possibly jamming the single stream recycling sorting machine.

This machine sorts all of Otsego County’s recyclables. If you are curious on how the sorting machining works, go online to otsegocd.org and click the recycling tab, scroll down to the video of the single stream recycling machine near the bottom of the page. GFL environmental/American Waste has guided tours available to see the machine in action. To schedule one please call (231) 943-8088. 

Another item to avoid recycling at the county’s recycling sites are household batteries, especially lithium batteries (like AAA, AA, C, D, and 9V). They are extremely dangerous, if the conditions are right they could start fires or explode. It’s important not to put potential harmful materials in recycling bins. The Otsego County Household Hazardous Waste Day will be occur from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on June 3 and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 4 and represents an opportunity to dispose of household batteries. Businesses can call the Otsego Conservation District, (989) 732-4021 to make an appointment. 

Light bulbs are recyclable but they can't be recycled at any of the county’s five recycling sites. However, there is a current 2022 Otsego County Recycling Guide that can be found at the recycling site’s kiosks and at the Otsego County Library. This guide can be very helpful on where items can be taken, what can be recycled, and how to prepare the items for recycling. You can find all this information online at otsegocd.org, or call the district at (989) 732-4021 if you have questions.

Please remember when cleaning that if the object is too big to put in the recycling bins it does not belong, and you need to find an alternative way of disposing of it. Do not leave it at the recycling sites. It is considered dumping and it is illegal. 

Last year the county on average, increased the tonnage of recyclables per month from 112 tons to 128 tons.

Here are the five recycling locations in Otsego County:

• West: 71 Hayes Tower Road, behind the Hayes Township Hall.
• North: 621 Garfield St., NE of the Vanderbilt Village Hall
• Central: 931 S. Otsego Ave., near the Merchandise Outlet
• South: 247 Old State Road, across from the Otsego Lake Township Cemetery
• East: 2932 Rock Road, at the Charlton-Chester-Dover Transfer Station.