Environmental Commission recommends top priorities for 2026

Oxford’s Environmental Commission voted to recommend three priorities to research in 2026, including implementing a hazardous waste drop-off day in Oxford, during its monthly meeting on June 4. 

Butler County offers a household hazardous waste drop-off program in Middletown each summer — this year, it takes place every Thursday between July 3 and Oct. 30. However, the commission discussed ideas for the collection and transportation of household hazardous waste, such as paint and pesticides, closer to Oxford. 

“If we were to do something with household hazardous waste, the county will be a part of it,” said Reena Murphy, Oxford’s sustainability coordinator. “It’s just that we will likely need to have our own collection in Oxford. That’s the feedback we’ve heard from our community members. They don’t want to drive to Middletown or wherever the drop-off location is.”

The Environmental Commission created an initial list of top areas to research in 2026 after a joint work session with the Climate Action Steering Committee in December. The list from the session included solarizing Oxford’s water and wastewater infrastructure at Seven Mile Well Field, adding a second methane flare to the closed landfill and revising parking structure and fees to support alternative transit.  

Members agreed on solarizing Seven Mile Well Field and adding a second flare to the closed landfill as necessary areas to research next year. The commission is currently drafting a request for proposal for installing solar at Seven Mile Well Field, and Murphy talked with Dave Treleaven, Oxford’s environmental specialist, about the best sites for a flare at the landfill. 

After further discussion and research, Murphy recommended pursuing a grant to fund a hazardous waste drop day as the commission’s third area to research next year. The idea received support from several members who agreed that a collection day in Oxford would be beneficial and convenient for town residents. 

“We need to have the service,” said Jim Vinch. “I’ve got a garage full of stuff [that] I don’t know what to do with. This is the first place I’ve lived that made no provisions for hazardous waste disposal.”

The Environmental Commission will pursue a grant from the Recycle Ohio Grant to fund a hazardous waste drop day.

The commission discussed other areas to research next year, such as encouraging property owners to furnish apartments through city grants. Members of the commission emphasized the waste from furniture each year after students at Miami University move out. They’re particularly concerned with mattresses, which many students buy new and only use for a few years before throwing them out. 

“I would say even just mattresses,” said Chantel Raghu, Oxford Vice-Mayor and vice-chair of the commission. “[Waste would decrease] if you could just have a mattress per bedroom for your expected occupancy, because mattresses are the most challenging thing for us to find a home for. On top of that, their footprint is huge.”

At the end of the meeting, the commission voted 4-2 to recommend its top three priorities for 2026 to Oxford City Council. Council will hold a work session on June 17 to discuss all recommendations and 2026 budget priorities.