Resident-provided cans or loose bags Bin (Trash)
Trash must be bagged and tied, with a limit of 8 bags (up to 30 gallons each) per week. If using a can, it must not exceed 50 lbs. Place at the curb or end of the driveway prior to 6:00 AM.
Accepted Items
- ✓Normal household food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Dry paint (lids removed, max 2 per house)
- ✓Dog waste (in small individual use bags)
Resident-provided Blue Bin Bin (Recycling)
Cicero residents are responsible for providing their own blue recycling bins. All recycling must adhere to OCRRA guidelines, meaning items must be loose and free of plastic grocery bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paper
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and dairy tubs
- ✓Glass jars and bottles
- ✓Metal cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Tires and batteries
- ✕Needles or sharps
- ✕Small metal appliances
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste is strictly excluded from regular trash. The town issues an annual brush collection schedule, and brush can also be dropped off at the Highway Department on Route 31.
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush
- ✓Tree limbs
- ✓Leaves
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
No municipal curbside service
Placement
Do not place bulky items at the curb with your regular 8-bag limit, as they will be tagged as a violation and left behind.
Accepted
- ✓ Must be hauled to an OCRRA facility or managed by a private hauler
Not Accepted
- ✕ Furniture
- ✕ TVs and monitors
- ✕ Construction material and fencing
- ✕ Swimming pool liners
Residents must pay private haulers for heavy item removal or pay the standard drop-off tipping fees at OCRRA facilities.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Regularly scheduled trash collection is delayed by one day when a recognized holiday falls on a weekday.
Yard Waste Exception
Brush collection routes may also experience delays during holiday weeks; verify with the town's seasonal brush mailer.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, collection days typically remain on their standard Monday-Friday schedule without disruption.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Your Cans Free of Ice and Water
Because Cicero relies on manual collection rather than automated mechanical arms, sanitation workers will not lift containers that have accumulated heavy rainwater, ice, or snow. Keep lids tight on your cans to prevent water weight.
Rinse and Reattach Your Caps
According to OCRRA recycling rules governing Cicero, you should not throw plastic bottle caps loosely into the blue bin. Thoroughly empty and rinse your plastic bottles and jugs, then securely reattach the caps before recycling them.
Dog Waste Belongs in the Trash
Pet waste is accepted in your regular weekly garbage, but it must be properly contained. Ensure all dog waste is sealed in small, individual-use plastic bags before placing it into your larger 30-gallon trash bags.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to MarchDuring heavy snowfall, ensure your trash bags and cans are easily accessible at the end of your driveway. Superior Waste Removal will not collect bags that have been buried, frozen, or torn open by snowplows.
Spring
April to MayThe Town of Cicero typically kicks off its annual brush removal contract in April. A specific brush collection schedule is posted on the town website and mailed directly to residents.
Summer
June to AugustTake advantage of the Highway Department facility at 6658 Route 31 during peak landscaping season. Not only can you drop off excess brush, but you can also pick up free self-serve compost for your summer gardens.
About Cicero Waste Management
Understanding Cicero's 8-Bag Limit
Unlike many surrounding Onondaga County towns that use automated 95-gallon toters, the Town of Cicero operates on a strict manual bag limit. Through the town's municipal contract with Superior Waste Removal, residents are allowed to set out a maximum of 8 trash bags per week. Each bag must not exceed 30 gallons in size. You can place these bags in standard metal or plastic garbage cans, provided no single container exceeds 50 pounds. Cans filled with water, ice, or loose, unbagged garbage will simply be left at the curb by the sanitation crews.
Navigating Bulk Waste and Heavy Items
The Town of Cicero's rubbish removal contract explicitly excludes large household bulk items from weekly curbside pickup. You cannot leave old furniture, mattresses, televisions, computer monitors, or construction debris like drywall and fencing at the end of your driveway. To dispose of these bulky materials, Cicero residents must either hire a private waste hauler, rent a roll-off dumpster, or transport the items themselves to the OCRRA Rock Cut Road Drop-Off Site in Jamesville.
Special Rules for Household Paint
Disposing of leftover paint is often confusing, but Cicero has a specific policy under its Superior Waste Removal contract. Wet, liquid paint is classified as hazardous waste and is strictly forbidden in your trash. However, if you completely dry out the latex paint (using kitty litter or a commercial hardener) and remove the lid, you are permitted to place up to two dry paint cans per house in your regular weekly trash collection.
Highway Department Drop-Offs and Free Compost
Yard waste is strictly excluded from your weekly household trash. Instead, the Town of Cicero provides a scheduled seasonal brush removal service and operates a dedicated drop-off site. Residents can bring excess brush and scrap metal directly to the Cicero Highway Department located at 6658 Route 31. As an added community benefit, the Highway Department offers free, self-serve compost to Cicero residents near the brush area.
Drop-off Facilities
Cicero Highway Department Brush & Metal Drop-Off
6658 Route 31, Cicero, NY 13039
Materials Accepted
OCRRA Rock Cut Road Drop-Off Site
5808 Rock Cut Road, Jamesville, NY 13078
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bags of trash can I put out in Cicero?
The Town of Cicero allows a maximum limit of 8 bags of trash per week. Each bag must be tied and cannot exceed 30 gallons in size or 50 pounds in weight.
Does the town pick up old couches or TVs?
No. The town's municipal contract explicitly excludes furniture, TVs, computers, and construction materials. You must hire a private waste hauler or transport these items to the OCRRA facility in Jamesville.
How do I get rid of old paint in Cicero?
Wet, liquid paint is considered hazardous and is strictly prohibited. However, if you dry the paint completely and remove the lid, you are allowed to place up to two dry paint cans per house in your regular trash.
Where can I drop off brush and yard waste?
Yard waste is not permitted in your weekly trash. Cicero residents can bring brush to the Highway Department drop-off site located at 6658 Route 31, where the town also provides free compost for residents.