Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Elmira
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week, Monday through Friday, depending on your assigned neighborhood zone. Collection starts early at 3:00 AM, including holidays.
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on the same day as your regular trash pickup using your blue recycling bin.
Yard Waste
Curbside pickup is not provided; residents can drop off organic yard waste and brush at the City Compost Facility on Linden Place (open Tuesday through Saturday).
Set Out Time
Place bins at the curb no sooner than 12 hours prior to pickup (crews start at 3:00 AM).
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
The annual sanitation fee is billed as a separate line item on your City property tax bill. Homeowners may opt in or out of the service through the Assessor's Office.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes (Billed in two installments: May 15 and September 15)
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In-Person (City Chamberlain's Office or Chemung Canal Trust Company branches)
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior citizen and disability property tax exemptions are available for income-qualified homeowners through the Assessor's Office. Elderly or disabled residents can also apply for a Carry-Out Permit for collection assistance.
Clear Garbage Bags Only Bin (Trash)
Trash must be in clear plastic bags (max 30 lbs each). Limit of 6 bags per week. Place out no earlier than 12 hours before pick-up. No loose waste allowed inside cans.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Dry and empty paint cans (lids off)
- ✓Securely wrapped broken glass
- ✓Broken toys and flower pots
Blue Bin Bin (Recycling)
Place the recycling bin at the curb alongside your clear trash bags. Ensure all food containers are fully rinsed. Labels do not need to be removed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean boxboard and cardboard
- ✓Office paper, junk mail, and magazines
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (rinsed)
- ✓Plastic bottles #1-7
- ✓Tin and aluminum cans (rinsed)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Ceramics and glassware
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Broken glass
Yard Waste Bin
Rake loose leaves to the curb (not in the street) between late October and early December. Bagged leaves are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Loose leaves (Autumn only)
- ✓Christmas trees (post-December 26)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Every Friday morning (registration required)
Placement
Place approved bulky items at the curb prior to Friday morning only after securing your paid registration with the City Clerk.
Accepted
- ✓ Washers and dryers
- ✓ Sofas and chairs
- ✓ Stoves, microwaves, and dishwashers
- ✓ Trash compactors
- ✓ Scrap metal
Not Accepted
- ✕ Refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners
- ✕ Anything containing Freon or toxic chemicals
- ✕ Mattresses and box springs
- ✕ Lawnmowers
The $35 fee is non-refundable, even if private scavengers take the item before city crews arrive. Proof of Elmira residency is strictly required.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The City of Elmira Sanitation crews operate on all holidays. Your trash will be collected on its normal schedule. Place your clear bags and bins out by 3:00 AM.
Yard Waste Exception
Seasonal leaf collections may pause during severe weather or Thanksgiving week, but standard refuse collection continues uninterrupted.
Crews work early shifts (3:00 AM to 11:00 AM) every day, including holidays. Never delay putting your trash out during holiday weeks.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - MarchFor the safety of sanitation crews, do not place your clear bags or recycling bins on top of snowbanks. Shovel a clear space in your driveway approach for curbside placement.
Autumn
October - DecemberThe DPW collects bulk loose leaves during the autumn transition. Rake your leaves to the curbline, avoiding the actual street, as the city operates vacuum trucks to clear the debris.
Post-Holiday
December - JanuaryFor households actively paying the sanitation fee, Christmas tree pickup begins on December 26th. Simply place your tree between the curb and the sidewalk for removal.
Local Tips & Community Info
City of Elmira Sanitation Services and Fees
In the City of Elmira, residential solid waste collection is actively managed by the Department of Public Works (DPW). Rather than hiring private carters, eligible homeowners participate in the city's municipal sanitation program. The service requires an annual fee of $365 per residential unit, which is conveniently billed and collected directly alongside your standard city property taxes. Property owners do have the flexibility to opt-in or opt-out of this service by filing specific notarized exemption forms at the City Assessor's or Chamberlain's Office, allowing landlords of vacant buildings to temporarily halt their payments.
Weekly Bag Allowances and Weight Limits
To maintain efficient routes and protect the physical health of the sanitation crews, Elmira enforces strict limitations on curbside volume. Every participating household is permitted to place up to six bags of garbage at the curb each week. Furthermore, each individual bag must not exceed a maximum weight limit of 30 pounds. Heavily overstuffed, ripped, or significantly overweight bags risk being left behind by the collection trucks, which can quickly lead to unsightly property conditions and potential code violations.
Curb Placement Rules and Code Enforcement
Timing is a critical factor for successful trash disposal in Elmira. Residents are strictly prohibited from placing their garbage at the curb any earlier than 12 hours prior to their designated collection day. Putting waste out too soon invites neighborhood pests and creates litter, which may result in a formal citation from local Code Enforcement officers. Since DPW routes start exceptionally early, it is highly recommended to set your approved bags out late the night before your scheduled morning.
Holiday Collection and Early Morning Routes
Unlike many neighboring New York municipalities that delay their garbage pickup for a day following a public holiday, the City of Elmira operates right through them. Sanitation crews maintain their regular routes regardless of holiday closures, beginning their intense collection cycles at 3:00 AM. The trucks work rapidly through the city zones and typically conclude all residential pickups by 11:00 AM. Because the trucks deploy in the middle of the night, failing to put your trash out the evening prior almost guarantees a missed collection.
Seasonal Yard Waste and Recycling Operations
Beyond standard household garbage, the DPW offers supplemental services for property maintenance. During the post-holiday winter season, the city provides specialized curbside Christmas tree pickup specifically for residents who are enrolled in and paying the annual sanitation fee. For broader recycling needs and large-scale bulk disposal, Elmira residents are encouraged to coordinate with the Chemung County solid waste initiatives, ensuring that recyclables and hazardous materials are diverted from the general waste stream appropriately.
Drop-off Facilities
Chemung County Lake Street Transfer Station
1690 Lake Street, Elmira, NY 14901
Materials Accepted
Elmira City Yards Compost Facility
840 Linden Place, Elmira, NY 14901
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bags of garbage can I throw away each week in Elmira?
The City of Elmira allows each participating residential unit to put out a maximum of six garbage bags per week, with a strict weight limit of 30 pounds per bag.
Does the DPW pick up trash on public holidays?
Yes. Elmira sanitation crews do not pause for holidays. Collection starts at 3:00 AM and runs until approximately 11:00 AM, even on major holidays.
Can I stop paying the city sanitation fee if my property is vacant?
Yes. Property owners can file a notarized opt-out or vacant unit exemption form with the City Assessor's Office to have the $365 annual fee pro-rated and pause collection services.