Resident's Own Containers or Bags Bin (Trash)
If self-hauling, all household trash must be securely contained and brought to the non-recyclable disposal area. Your vehicle must display a valid Town Recycling Permit sticker. If using a private hauler, follow their specific container rules.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Milk cartons
- ✓Styrofoam and packaging peanuts
- ✓Plastic bags
- ✓Plastics #3 through #7
Separated Facility Bins (Self-Haul) or Hauler-Provided Cart Bin (Recycling)
Self-haulers must separate materials into specific facility bins. Plastic bottles must have their caps removed. Glass is collected separately to be crushed for local drainage projects.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Mixed paper and dry newspaper
- ✓Tin and aluminum cans
- ✓Plastic bottles (#1 and #2 only)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastics #3 through #7
- ✕Plastic bags of any kind
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Milk cartons
- ✕Light bulbs
Yard Waste Bin
Self-haul to the East Hampton Recycling Center. Brush is turned into mulch. Leaves must be emptied from any plastic bags before disposal. Do not mix yard waste with standard household garbage.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Brush
- ✓Twigs and tree branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Self-haul year-round during operating hours, or on-demand via a private junk removal service.
Placement
Never leave bulk items, furniture, or appliances at the curb unless you have a confirmed, scheduled pickup date with a private commercial hauling company.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and large household items
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Scrap metal
- ✓ Appliances (may require specific facility placement)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Contractor or demolition debris (without a commercial permit)
- ✕ Hazardous waste (outside of designated STOP days)
- ✕ Liquid paints and solvents
Self-hauling certain appliances or oversized items to the town centers may incur specific per-item disposal fees. Private junk removal services will charge their own rates based on volume and weight.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The East Hampton Recycling Center and Montauk Transfer Station are completely closed on these six holidays, and close early at noon on Good Friday. Private curbside hauler schedules will vary independently.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste drop-off and compost pickup are unavailable when the transfer stations are closed for observed holidays.
Because curbside collection is fully privatized in East Hampton, you must contact your specific waste management company directly to find out if your street's pickup day is delayed by major holidays.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Only #1 and #2 Bottles Allowed
Plastics #3 through #7, plastic grocery bags, and clamshell food containers are not recycled by the town. Only #1 and #2 plastic bottles (where the neck is narrower than the body) are accepted.
Remove Those Bottle Caps
Before tossing your acceptable #1 and #2 plastic bottles into the recycling bin, you must completely remove and discard the plastic caps into the regular trash.
Keep Milk Cartons Out
Although they feel like paper, milk cartons and juice boxes contain heavy wax and plastic linings. They are not accepted in East Hampton's paper recycling streams and must go into the regular trash.
Seasonal Information
Spring
MayThe town typically holds its Spring 'Stop Throwing Out Pollutants' (STOP) event on the third Saturday in May at the East Hampton Recycling Center, offering free hazardous waste drop-off for residents.
Fall
OctoberA second STOP hazardous waste collection event is usually hosted on the third Saturday in October at the Montauk Transfer Station.
Year-Round
January - DecemberFree mulch and compost are available for pickup at the Recycling Center for any resident displaying a valid town recycling sticker, subject to weekly limits.
About East Hampton Waste Management
Embracing East Hampton's Self-Haul Sanitation Culture
Unlike many municipalities, the Town of East Hampton does not provide municipal curbside garbage or recycling collection. Residents have two choices: they can either independently contract with a private waste management company for curbside service, or they can purchase an annual Residential Recycling Permit to self-haul their household refuse. For 2026, a primary residential permit costs $130, while seniors aged 65 and older enjoy a discounted rate of $55, allowing full access to the town's disposal facilities.
Meticulous Source-Separation at Town Facilities
If you choose the self-haul route, be prepared to meticulously sort your recyclables at the East Hampton Recycling Center or Montauk Transfer Station. The town utilizes a strict source-separated system rather than single-stream. You must divide your materials into specific, designated bins: corrugated cardboard, mixed paper, newspaper, tin/aluminum, and specific plastics. Interestingly, glass bottles and jars dropped off at the center are crushed on-site and repurposed for local French drains, directly protecting the quality of the local aquifer.
Strict Limitations on Acceptable Plastics
East Hampton's recycling facilities have stringent rules regarding plastics to prevent contaminated loads from being sent to incinerators. The town only accepts #1 and #2 plastic bottles, and specifically, the neck of the bottle must be smaller than the body. Plastics #3 through #7, plastic bags, styrofoam, and even milk cartons are strictly prohibited from the recycling streams and must be disposed of with your regular non-recyclable trash.
Free Compost and Brush Exchange Perks
A major benefit of having a town recycling permit is access to East Hampton's robust composting program. Residents can drop off grass clippings, leaves, and brush at the recycling center. The town processes these organic materials into nutrient-rich compost and mulch. Any town resident with a valid recycling sticker is permitted to pick up a limited amount of this compost each week absolutely free, providing an excellent resource for local home gardens.
Handling Hazardous Waste via S.T.O.P. Days
Protecting East Hampton's delicate groundwater is a top priority, which means toxic chemicals, antifreeze, and oil-based paints must never be thrown into the regular trash. To help residents dispose of these dangerous items safely, the town hosts 'Stop Throwing Out Pollutants' (STOP) events twice a year. These free drop-off days are typically held on the third Saturday in May at the East Hampton Recycling Center and the third Saturday in October at the Montauk facility.
Drop-off Facilities
East Hampton Recycling Center
260 Springs Fireplace Road, East Hampton, NY 11937
Materials Accepted
Montauk Transfer Station
365 Montauk Hwy, Montauk, NY 11954
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Town of East Hampton provide municipal garbage pickup?
No, the town does not offer municipal curbside garbage or recycling collection. Residents must either purchase an annual permit to self-haul their waste to the town's disposal centers or hire a private waste management company.
How much does an East Hampton residential recycling permit cost?
For 2026, a primary residential permit costs $130. Seniors aged 65 and older can purchase a primary permit for $55. Secondary vehicle permits are also available for $55. Permits can be purchased through the East Hampton Town Clerk's Office.
What plastics can I recycle at the East Hampton Recycling Center?
The town only accepts #1 and #2 plastic bottles where the neck is smaller than the body, and you must completely remove the caps. Plastics #3 through #7, plastic grocery bags, and styrofoam are not accepted and must be disposed of in the regular trash.
How do I dispose of old paint and toxic chemicals in East Hampton?
Do not put hazardous materials in the regular trash. The town hosts 'Stop Throwing Out Pollutants' (STOP) days twice a year—typically in May at the East Hampton Center and in October at the Montauk Center—where residents can drop off toxic materials for free.