Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Carmel
Trash Day
Trash is collected twice per week based on your street route (either Monday and Thursday or Tuesday and Friday).
Recycling
Recycling is collected once per week in provided 65-gallon carts according to your street schedule.
Yard Waste
No regular curbside collection (seasonal Christmas tree pickup occurs in January).
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Standard municipal refuse and recycling services are covered under your town property tax bill; extra containers and driveway pickup services are billed directly by AAA Carting.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior citizen (aged 65+) and disability partial property tax exemptions are available for eligible homeowners through the Town Assessor's office.
Town-issued 95-gallon tote Bin (Trash)
Available by 6:00 AM on collection day. All garbage must first be tied in plastic bags before being placed into the tote with the lid closed securely. Carts must be within 4 feet of the road with arrows facing the street.
Accepted Items
- ✓Regular household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Standard household refuse
Town-issued 65-gallon tote Bin (Recycling)
Mandatory single-stream collection by 6:00 AM. Items must be placed loosely in the container. Absolutely no plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard
- ✓Paper and newspaper
- ✓Glass bottles
- ✓Tin and aluminum cans
- ✓Plastics (1-7)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Hazardous waste
- ✕Construction materials
- ✕Food-soiled cardboard
Yard Waste Bin
The town code permits organic yard waste to be composted on residential property in a nuisance-free manner. Large debris must be managed privately or handled at designated county drop-off events.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two times per calendar year
Placement
Call AAA Carting at least two weeks before your desired date. Items should be placed curbside on the designated weekday of your flex-pickup.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Bulky household items
- ✓ Large non-hazardous debris
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Industrial materials
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Electronics/E-waste
Included at no additional cost as part of the municipal solid waste program, up to the four-cubic-yard maximum limit.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
There is no collection on the four major observed holidays. Services are generally shifted forward to accommodate the holiday closure.
Yard Waste Exception
N/A
For specific daily shifts (e.g., Monday routes moving to Wednesday), refer to the annual municipal refuse guide distributed by the Town of Carmel.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to MarchDuring snowfall, bins must be placed at least 3 feet off the edge of the road in a cleared spot on your driveway. Placing them in the street or on snowbanks obstructs town plows.
Spring
April to MaySpring cleaning is a great time to utilize your first flex bulk pickup. Call two weeks ahead to clear out mattresses, old furniture, or broken appliances.
Autumn
September to NovemberInstead of throwing away leaves, consider on-site composting. The Town of Carmel encourages turning seasonal yard trimmings into natural fertilizer for your property.
Local Tips & Community Info
Town of Carmel Municipal Waste Services
Navigating waste disposal in the Town of Carmel is straightforward once you know the core regulations. All standard household garbage must be curbside no later than 6:00 AM on your designated collection morning. The municipality provides a specialized 95-gallon refuse tote to every household, and all trash must be contained within this specific bin. Excess garbage placed in bags on the ground or in non-approved cans will be left behind by the AAA Carting crews. Make sure your bin's arrows face the street and keep it at least four feet away from any obstacles like cars, mailboxes, or utility poles.
Mandatory Single-Stream Recycling
New York State law requires all households to separate recyclable materials from regular refuse, and Carmel utilizes a single-stream method to make this process easier. You will use the town-issued 65-gallon recycling tote to combine all eligible materials, such as flattened cardboard, glass bottles, tin cans, and plastics numbered 1 through 7. Recyclables must be tossed loosely into the tote. Plastic bags jam the sorting machinery at the processing facility, so bagging your recyclables is strictly prohibited. Just like your garbage bin, the recycling tote needs a four-foot clearance at the curb.
Scheduling Flex-Pickups for Bulk Items
Upgrading home furnishings or cleaning out the basement? Carmel homeowners are entitled to two curbside bulk waste collections every calendar year, available between February and mid-December. These are 'flex-pickups,' meaning you can schedule them exactly when you need them. To utilize this service, you must contact AAA Carting at least two weeks before your desired pickup date. Keep in mind that hazardous materials, electronic waste, and construction or remodeling debris are not permitted. If you are throwing away rugs, they must be cut, rolled, and tied into bundles no longer than four feet.
Winter Weather and Snow Protocols
Severe winter weather requires adjustments to how you position your bins. During snowstorms, plows need a clear path to safely clear the roads. Under no circumstances should you place your totes in the street or perched on top of snowbanks. Instead, clear a flat space in your driveway and place the bins at least three feet back from the pavement edge. If navigating a snowy driveway is difficult for you, the town offers a premium 'Driveway Service' for an additional quarterly fee, where crews will retrieve the bins directly from your property, provided the path is shoveled and de-iced.
Holiday Collection Adjustments
The local sanitation schedule pauses for four major holidays throughout the year: New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If your regular trash or recycling day lands on one of these observed holidays, your pickup will generally be shifted to the following day. It is highly recommended to check the town's official refuse guide online to see the exact modified schedule for your neighborhood during holiday weeks.
Drop-off Facilities
Putnam County Hazardous Waste Drop-Off
Organized events at various county locations (check Putnam County Dept of Health)
Materials Accepted
Carmel Town Hall Medication Drop Box
60 McAlpin Ave, Mahopac, NY 10541
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need to put my garbage out for pickup in Carmel?
Your town-provided 95-gallon garbage tote must be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection day, with arrows facing the roadway.
How do I get rid of an old couch or mattress?
Every property gets two 'flex-pickups' per year for bulk waste. You must call AAA Carting directly, providing at least a two-week notice, to arrange your large item collection.
Can I bag my recycling to keep the tote clean?
No. All recyclables must be placed loosely in your 65-gallon recycling tote. Plastic bags are not accepted in the single-stream recycling program.