Blue (Official City Bags) Bin (Trash)
All household garbage MUST be placed in official City of Binghamton blue bags. If placed in a garbage can (max 33 gallons, max 60 lbs), the trash inside must still be in a blue bag. Garbage bags placed for collection must weigh no more than 50 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Clothing
- ✓Broken down Styrofoam
Yellow / Green (City-issued bin) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be clean and placed together in an official Broome County recycling bin. Do not bag recyclables in plastic grocery bags, as they tangle the sorting machinery.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and newspaper
- ✓Brown paper bags
- ✓Clear, green, brown, and blue glass jars
- ✓Tin and steel cans
- ✓Aluminum cans and foil
Do NOT Include
- ✕Blueprints or carbon paper
- ✕Wax-covered cardboard
- ✕Tissues and paper towels
- ✕Window glass and mirrors
- ✕Ceramics
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Collected every Monday. Branches must be bundled with string (max 4 ft long, max 4 inches diameter, max 50 lbs). Leaves and grass must be in open 33-gallon containers or compostable paper bags. No plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Flowers
- ✓Tree parts and shrubbery
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (Non-metal) / By Appointment (Metal/Appliances)
Placement
Bulk items should be placed at the curb the evening preceding the normal garbage collection day, but no later than 6:00 a.m. on your designated day.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and bed frames
- ✓ Bundled lumber (under 5 ft / 50 lbs)
- ✓ Washers and dryers
- ✓ Refrigerators (must call to schedule)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Masonry (brick, concrete, tile)
- ✕ Electronics and batteries
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paint
- ✕ Automotive parts
Standard non-metal bulk items are collected without stickers. Check with DPW for potential fees or restrictions associated with specific appliances or excessive construction debris volumes.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Binghamton sanitation routes are typically delayed by one day if a major holiday falls on a weekday, shifting collection schedules through Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Monday yard waste pickups are adjusted if a listed holiday falls on that Monday. Crews will collect the yard waste on Tuesday; leave it at the curb if it is not picked up immediately.
Contact the DPW Dispatch at (607) 772-7020 if you are unsure of a holiday schedule adjustment.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
No Paint in Blue Bags (Unless Dried)
Liquid latex or oil-based paints are not accepted in standard garbage [4.1.5]. Latex paint must be fully dried out (using kitty litter or sand to absorb moisture) before it can be placed within your official blue garbage bags.
Wrap Broken Glass Safely
If you are throwing away broken window glass, lightbulbs, or pointed objects, they must be safely wrapped up in thick paper or cardboard inside your blue garbage bags so they do not pose a puncture hazard to Binghamton sanitation workers.
Ceramics Are Not Recyclable
Do not place ceramics, plates, cups, or mirrors in your recycling bin. They have different melting points than glass bottles and jars, and tossing them in the bin will contaminate an entire batch of recycled glass.
Seasonal Information
Spring / Summer
March - AugustYard waste collection begins the first Monday in March [3.1.2]. Raking leaves, grass clippings, or debris directly into the street or along the curb line is strictly prohibited, as it causes severe clogs in the city's storm drains during spring rains.
Fall
September - NovemberDuring autumn leaf season, ensure you are using compostable paper yard bags or standard 33-gallon open-top containers. The city enforces a strict limit of 8 containers or bags per property per week for Monday collections.
Winter
December - FebruaryLake-effect snows and Nor'easters can bury curbside waste. Keep your blue bags and recycling bins clearly visible and avoid placing them in the street or on top of snowbanks where municipal snowplows might strike them.
About Binghamton Waste Management
Handling Overflow and Bulky "Trash"
In Binghamton's municipal code, "garbage" refers to everyday waste that fits in a blue bag, while "trash" is defined as items too large or heavy for the official bags. The city recently updated its policies, and trash collection stickers are no longer required for large items. You can place oversized non-metal trash items out on your normal collection day next to your blue bags, provided they meet size and weight restrictions (such as bundled 2x4 lumber under 5 feet and under 50 pounds).
Specialized Yard Waste Rules
Yard waste is collected citywide on Mondays from March through December. Unlike many cities, Binghamton strictly prohibits yard waste in plastic bags. Grass clippings, leaves, and small organic debris must be placed in open-top 33-gallon containers or compostable paper yard bags. Branches and brush must be tied with string or rope (no wire) into bundles under four feet long and under 50 pounds. The city enforces a strict limit of eight yard waste containers or bags per property per week.
E-Waste and Appliance Bulk Collection
For large metal bulk items, also known as white goods, residents cannot simply leave them on the curb. You must contact the Binghamton Public Works dispatch office at (607) 772-7020 to schedule a dedicated pickup. Appliances containing Freon, such as refrigerators or air conditioners, may require special handling or drop-off procedures. Electronic waste, like televisions and computers, is banned from curbside disposal by New York State law and must be taken to the Broome County Landfill or designated drop-off events.
Drop-off Facilities
Broome County Landfill
286 Knapp Rd, Binghamton, NY 13905
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the official blue garbage bags in Binghamton?
Yes. The City of Binghamton operates a Pay-As-You-Throw program. All standard household garbage must be placed inside an official City of Binghamton blue refuse bag. If you prefer to use a standard trash can to keep animals out, the garbage inside the can must still be bagged in a blue bag.
How do I get rid of bulk items like a couch or mattress?
Non-metal bulk items, which the city formally defines as 'trash,' can be placed at the curb on your normal blue bag collection day. You no longer need to purchase trash collection stickers for these items.
How do I dispose of a refrigerator or washing machine?
Large metal white goods and appliances require a special pickup. You must call the Binghamton Public Works dispatch office at (607) 772-7020 to schedule a collection for these metal items.
Can I put my fall leaves and grass clippings in plastic bags?
No. Binghamton strictly prohibits yard waste in plastic bags. You must place your grass and leaves in compostable paper yard bags or an open-top container no larger than 33 gallons. Branches must be tied with string (no wire) in bundles weighing under 50 pounds.