OXFORD – Late June flooding brought some residents to areas of their basements they haven’t seen in a long time. Once there, some found items they haven’t seen in just as long.

The Federal Environmental Protection Agency recently set up two collection sites for household hazardous waste in Chenango County that will help flood victims get rid of the types of things that don’t belong in the trash can. Those who found cans of paint and other chemicals on their property during the flooding are now able to properly dispose of them, free of charge.

“All that stuff needs to be disposed of in a proper way. It just can’t be thrown in the garbage like regular trash,” EPA spokesperson Leo Rosales said.

Rosales said that although the Bainbridge and Oxford sites have been open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., seven days a week, many in the community are not aware of them. The Bainbridge and Oxford collection sites have taken residence in the state Department of Transportation buildings on state Routes 26 and 12, respectively.