Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Brookhaven
Trash Day
Twice per week, collected on either Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday depending on your neighborhood.
Recycling
Every Wednesday, alternating weekly between paper/cardboard and plastic/metal.
Yard Waste
Curbside pickup occurs during designated scheduled weeks throughout the year (items must be placed out the Sunday evening before).
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste collection is financed via a designated Garbage & Recycling User Fee itemized on your annual Town of Brookhaven property tax bill.
Billing Cycle
Annual (Included on Property Tax Bill)
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In Person, Escrow / Mortgage
Any standard 32-gallon pail Bin (Trash)
Use 32-gallon pails or plastic bags. Unlimited quantity allowed, but each must weigh 50 lbs or less. Pails cannot have attached lids or bungee cords. Place at the curb by 6:00 AM.
Accepted Items
- ✓Kitchen waste
- ✓Bathroom waste
- ✓Non-recyclable household items
CURBY can or standard bin with recycling sticker Bin (Recycling)
Alternating Wednesdays. Paper/cardboard one week; plastic/metal the next. Must be placed loose in the bin. No plastic bags allowed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1, #2, #5
- ✓Metal cans
- ✓Empty aerosol cans
- ✓Paper, newspaper, junk mail
- ✓Flattened corrugated cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Glass
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Milk or juice cartons
- ✕Soiled cardboard
- ✕Motor oil containers
Yard Waste Bin
Max 50 items (bags/bundles) per week. Bags/containers under 50 lbs. Bundles max 4' x 2' x 2'. Place at curb on Sunday night before collection week. NO GRASS CLIPPINGS.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Acorns and weeds
- ✓Twigs and branches (up to 6 inches diameter)
- ✓Pine cones and needles
- ✓Hedge clippings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your second garbage collection day (Thursday or Friday).
Placement
Place up to 4 bulk items next to your household garbage prior to 6:00 AM on your Thursday or Friday collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches (without recliners)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (dismantled)
- ✓ Carpet and rugs (cut to 6-foot lengths, rolled & tied)
- ✓ Solid wood doors (cut in half)
- ✓ Small DIY construction debris (under 50 lbs)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Major contractor-generated renovation debris
- ✕ Commercial tires
- ✕ Dirt, sand, or logs
- ✕ Hazardous waste
Bulk collection is included in municipal services up to the 4-item limit. Scrap metal, TVs, and sofa beds require a free scheduled pickup by calling 631-451-TOWN.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Collection is canceled on designated holidays marked on the town's recycling calendar.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste is collected on a specialized weekly schedule (Sunday night put-outs) rather than a specific holiday-dependent weekday.
Brookhaven does not offer next-day makeup collection. If your garbage day is canceled due to a holiday, you must hold your waste until your next scheduled collection day.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
July - AugustDuring extreme heat waves, the Town of Brookhaven may adjust sanitation collection schedules to protect workers. When a heat advisory is issued, ensure your bins are at the curb by 5:00 AM instead of 6:00 AM.
Winter
JanuaryChristmas trees are collected during a designated yard waste week in mid-January. Trees over 6 feet tall must be cut in half, and all decorations, lights, tinsel, and stands must be completely removed.
Fall
October - DecemberDuring peak leaf season, residents can also bring loose leaves or leaves packed in paper bags directly to the Manorville Compost Facility or the Solid Waste Management Facility free of charge.
Local Tips & Community Info
Navigating Solid Waste Services in Brookhaven
Residents of Brookhaven rely on the Town's Department of Recycling and Sustainable Materials Management to handle all curbside solid waste. Because the township covers such a massive geographical area on Long Island, collection routes are divided among several private carters contracted by the local government. To ensure you do not miss your designated collection day, you must familiarize yourself with your neighborhood's specific schedule. During weeks featuring a major holiday, such as Thanksgiving or Memorial Day, the normal pickup cycle is usually delayed by exactly one day for the remainder of the week.
Strict Container Weight and Size Limits
Brookhaven enforces very specific regulations regarding the type and size of receptacles you can leave at the curb. Homeowners are required to use standard garbage cans that do not exceed a 32-gallon capacity. Furthermore, no single can or heavy-duty plastic bag can weigh more than 50 pounds when fully loaded. Sanitation workers have the right to leave behind any excessively heavy or oversized containers to prevent workplace injuries. You should place your compliant bins near the street no earlier than 6:00 PM on the evening prior to your collection day, and everything must be situated by 6:00 AM on the actual morning of service.
Alternating Dual-Stream Recycling System
Unlike cities that use a single-stream method, the Town of Brookhaven operates on a dual-stream recycling schedule. This means you must separate your recyclable materials and only put out specific items on alternating weeks. One week is strictly designated for paper, flattened cardboard, and junk mail. The following week is reserved for plastics (codes 1 and 2 only), metal cans, and clean glass containers. Never place your recyclables inside plastic grocery bags, as this is considered contamination. Loose items should go directly into a dedicated recycling bin provided by the resident.
Yard Waste and Bulky Item Guidelines
Disposing of seasonal yard waste and large household goods requires a bit of extra attention. Yard clippings, leaves, and small twigs must be placed in special biodegradable paper lawn bags or ordinary 32-gallon trash cans left unlidded. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited for yard waste. For large items like broken furniture or mattresses, the town allows residents to put out bulk waste on their last scheduled garbage day of the week. However, construction debris and large appliances generally require you to transport them to the Town of Brookhaven Landfill in Yaphank, where specific disposal fees and residency requirements apply.
Drop-off Facilities
Town Solid Waste Management Facility (Landfill)
350 Horseblock Road, Brookhaven, NY 11719
Materials Accepted
Manorville Compost Facility
Papermill Road, Manorville, NY 11949
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum size for a trash can in Brookhaven?
Homeowners must use garbage cans that are 32 gallons or smaller. Additionally, the filled can or any individual trash bag must not exceed a total weight of 50 pounds.
Does Brookhaven pick up all recycling every week?
No. The town uses an alternating dual-stream system. Paper and cardboard are collected one week, while plastics, glass, and metal are collected the next week.
When do I need to have my garbage at the curb?
You may place your receptacles at the curb starting at 6:00 PM the night before your scheduled collection. All items must be out by 6:00 AM on pickup day to guarantee service.