Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Auburn
New York municipal refuse is collected weekly on designated neighborhood days. Recycling is often collected on specific days depending on the borough or county.
State Mandate
Strictly separate e-waste. Electronics are banned from regular trash.
Any standard color or clear plastic bags Bin (Trash)
Limit of 5 containers or clear bags per household per week. Maximum 35 gallons and 50 lbs per container. Black bags and cardboard boxes are strictly prohibited for trash.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable materials
Any color, must be labeled with large 'R' Bin (Recycling)
Must follow the bi-weekly schedule separating cardboard from other recyclables. Bins must be 35 gallons or less, under 50 lbs, and clearly marked with an 'R'.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard (Week A)
- ✓Newspaper and mixed paper (Week B)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (Week B)
- ✓Plastics #1 through #7 (Week B)
- ✓Metal cans (Week B)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Black garbage bags
- ✕Syringes
- ✕Fluorescent light bulbs
Yard Waste Bin
Collected on Mondays only. Must be properly bagged, containerized, or tied in bundles. Loose debris will not be collected.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small brush
- ✓Twigs and branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By appointment only (pre-paid).
Placement
Once pre-paid, you will receive specific instructions on how and when to place the item curbside (typically the night before your regular trash day).
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and chairs
- ✓ Tables and dressers
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Refrigerators
- ✓ Large household appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid waste
- ✕ Fluorescent light bulbs
- ✕ Syringes and medical waste
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
Fees range from $10.00 to $55.00 per item depending on size. Items placed at the curb without prior payment will be collected by the city and billed to the property owner at a much higher penalty rate.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a major city-observed holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling routes typically shift by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Since yard waste is specifically scheduled for Mondays, holidays falling on a Monday will push yard waste collection and subsequent trash routes back by one day.
Residents should place bins out after 5:00 PM the night before or before 7:00 AM on the day of their adjusted holiday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to JanuaryAfter the holidays, you can recycle your natural Christmas tree through the Cayuga County Trade-a-Tree program. The Soil and Water Conservation District chips the tree into mulch and rewards participants with a certificate for a free conifer seedling to plant in the spring.
Spring & Summer
April to AugustCayuga County periodically hosts special drop-off events during the warmer months, including dedicated tire collection days to prevent mosquito breeding, as well as household hazardous waste drop-off events. Check the county website for exact dates and pre-registration details.
Autumn
October to NovemberDuring peak leaf-falling season, continue to place your bagged or containerized leaves out for the standard Monday yard waste collection routes. Avoid blowing loose leaves directly into the street, as they can clog storm drains and create flooding hazards.
Local Tips & Community Info
Auburn Curbside Garbage Regulations
The Department of Public Works (DPW) manages residential solid waste collection in the City of Auburn. Homeowners are permitted to place up to five approved refuse containers at the curb each week. It is crucial to use standard plastic or metal bins that do not exceed 35 gallons in capacity and weigh no more than 50 pounds when fully loaded. Residents cannot use cardboard boxes as trash receptacles. Refuse must be set out after 5:00 p.m. the evening prior to your collection day and no later than 7:00 a.m. on the actual morning of pickup to avoid being bypassed by the trucks.
Recycling Guidelines and 'R' Container Rules
Auburn encourages robust environmental practices by imposing no limit on the number of recycling containers a household can place curbside. All recycling bins must be prominently labeled with a large letter 'R'. The city accepts plastics numbered 1 through 7, metal cans, glass, and newspapers. Corrugated cardboard must be completely flattened and tied or securely containerized inside a larger box. Do not place items like pizza boxes, wax-coated cardboard, light bulbs, or plastic grocery bags in your recycling tote, as these materials cause severe processing issues at the sorting facility.
Pre-Paid Bulk Item Collections
If you need to dispose of heavy furniture, mattresses, or other large household goods, you cannot simply leave them on the sidewalk. Auburn requires residents to pre-pay and pre-arrange all bulk item collections. Depending on the size of the item, fees generally range from $20 to $60. You must contact the Municipal Solid Waste Codes Enforcement Officer at (315) 209-7454 to process the payment and schedule a dedicated pickup. Placing unauthorized large items at the curb will result in additional fines and a higher removal bill.
Yard Waste and Brush Maintenance
When maintaining your property, remember that raking grass clippings or leaves directly into the street is strictly prohibited and can lead to immediate code enforcement citations. All seasonal vegetative debris must be securely packed into biodegradable brown paper leaf bags (under 35 gallons and 50 pounds). The DPW also conducts bulk brush pickups during the second week of the month from April through October. Brush material must originate from the property itself and branches must be trimmed to less than 10 feet in length.
Transfer Station Fall Clean-Up Days
To assist households with deep cleaning and garage purging, Auburn hosts scheduled Clean-Up Days at the local Transfer Station on North Division Street. During these designated Saturday events, residents can drop off bulk garbage, up to four car tires, and yard waste at no additional cost. Electronic waste such as televisions and computers is also accepted. A valid driver's license and matching vehicle registration are mandatory to prove city residency upon arrival, and trailers or box vans are strictly prohibited on site.
Drop-off Facilities
City of Auburn Transfer Station
311 North Division Street, Auburn, NY 13021
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the size and weight limits for trash cans in Auburn?
Refuse containers must not exceed a maximum volume of 35 gallons and cannot weigh more than 50 pounds when completely full.
Do I need a special bin for my curbside recycling?
You can use any standard 35-gallon plastic or metal container, provided it is clearly marked with a large letter 'R' to alert the collection crews.
Can I put my old couch out with my regular weekly garbage?
No, large items require a pre-paid pickup arrangement. Residents must call the Codes Enforcement Officer to pay a fee (typically $20 to $60) before setting bulk furniture at the curb.