Town-issued garbage cart Bin (Trash)
All trash must be bagged and placed inside the closed cart. Keep the cart at least 3 feet away from other objects. Have at the curb by 7:00 a.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Styrofoam
Town-issued recycling cart (for commingled) Bin (Recycling)
Place commingled recyclables loosely in the cart (no plastic bags). Flatten and tie cardboard into bundles under 50 lbs or place in an open reusable container.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Metal cans
- ✓Plastic containers
- ✓Gable-top cartons (milk/juice)
- ✓Aseptic cartons (soup/broth)
- ✓Flattened cardboard (bundled separately)
- ✓Mixed paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕E-waste
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food-soiled paper
Yard Waste Bin
Use paper yard waste bags or open, reusable containers. Branches must be tied in bundles less than 4 feet long and under 2 feet across. No plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Twigs
- ✓Small branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By Appointment Only
Placement
Place your 2 to 3 approved bulk items at the curb edge by 7:00 a.m. on the morning of your scheduled appointment.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Rolled and tied carpeting (max 4 feet long)
- ✓ Dried paint cans (lids off, solidified with cat litter/hardener)
- ✓ Metal appliances (on Tuesdays)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Hazardous materials
- ✕ Construction debris from contractors
- ✕ Logs and tree stumps
- ✕ Items in excess of the 3-item limit
There is no extra fee for scheduled bulk pickup of allowable items, but volume limits are strictly enforced. Homeowners must hire private carters for large whole-house cleanouts.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Sanitation schedules shift during holiday weeks. The Town issues specific color-coded calendars (Blue, Gray, Green, Orange, Yellow) based on your address to detail exact makeup days for garbage and recycling.
Yard Waste Exception
Organic yard waste collection may be skipped or delayed during a holiday week to prioritize household garbage and recycling routes.
Always check your specific color-coded sanitation calendar on the Town of Greenburgh website to confirm your exact holiday collection day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Loose Trash in Garbage Carts
Unlike recycling, which should be loose, all household garbage must be tied in bags before being placed in the town-issued trash cart. Loose garbage creates a mess during the automated side-arm dumping process and may not be collected.
Carton Sorting Confusion
It is a common mistake to place waxy milk, juice, and soup cartons with your paper and cardboard. In Greenburgh, these refrigerated and shelf-stable cartons belong in the commingled recycling cart alongside your plastics, glass, and metals.
No Plastic Bags in the Yard Waste
If you put your leaves or grass clippings in plastic bags, they will be left at the curb. Always use biodegradable paper yard bags or standard open refuse containers for your organic waste to ensure successful pickup.
Seasonal Information
Spring
March - MayDuring spring clean-up, remember that bulk appointments are strictly limited to 2 to 3 items. If you have a larger spring cleaning project, you will need to book multiple appointments over several weeks or hire a private junk removal service.
Autumn
October - DecemberFall leaf collection is handled weekly with your regular yard waste. Keep leaves out of the street and storm drains by utilizing paper leaf bags or reusable bins. Do not rake leaves directly onto the municipal roadway.
Winter
December - MarchDuring snow events, keep your town-issued carts clear of snowbanks and ensure they are accessible to the automated side-arm trucks. Delays or suspensions of service may occur during severe winter weather.
About Greenburgh Waste Management
Automated Side-Arm Garbage Collection Requirements
The Town of Greenburgh utilizes a highly efficient automated side-arm collection system for residential refuse. To ensure your garbage is picked up, all household waste must be bagged and placed entirely inside the official town-issued cart. Sanitation workers will not collect loose garbage, bags left on the ground, or debris piled on top of the container lid. Furthermore, residents must practice 'social distancing' with their bins, maintaining a mandatory three-foot clearance around the cart to allow the mechanical arms to safely lift and empty it.
Navigating Appointment-Based Bulk and Metal Pickups
In Greenburgh, bulk refuse is not collected on a set monthly schedule; instead, it operates strictly by appointment. Residents must contact the DPW or use the online portal to reserve a slot. Standard bulk items, such as furniture and mattresses, are collected on Thursdays or Fridays, while metal items and appliances are designated for Tuesday pickups. Because of high community demand, each household is limited to setting out only 2 to 3 items per scheduled appointment.
Dual-Stream Recycling Nuances: Cartons vs. Cardboard
Greenburgh enforces a dual-stream recycling system with a few specific quirks. Commingled items like plastics, glass, metals, and uniquely—gable-top milk cartons and aseptic soup boxes—must be placed loosely in the town-issued recycling cart. However, because paper products are still collected manually by sanitation crews, cardboard boxes cannot just be tossed in the bin. They must be flattened, tied into bundles, or placed in a separate open, reusable container weighing less than 50 pounds.
Strict Organic Yard Waste and Contractor Rules
Organic yard waste, including leaves and bundled branches, is collected weekly without the need for an appointment. All leaves and grass clippings must be stored in paper yard waste bags or open reusable containers, as plastic bags are strictly prohibited. A critical rule to remember is that the Town of Greenburgh will not collect any yard debris generated by private tree services or landscaping contractors. If you hire a professional for tree removal or yard renovations, they are legally responsible for hauling away the debris.
Mandatory E-Waste and H-MRF Disposal Destinations
Westchester County mandates the recycling of all electronic waste, meaning televisions, computers, and printers are banned from Greenburgh's curbside bulk pickup. Residents can drop off e-waste at the Town DPW Yard on Sprain Road in Ardsley during weekday hours without an appointment. For household hazardous waste, including chemicals and fluorescent bulbs, residents must utilize the Westchester County Household Material Recovery Facility (H-MRF) in Valhalla, which requires a pre-booked appointment.
Drop-off Facilities
Town of Greenburgh DPW Yard
100 Sprain Road, Ardsley, NY 10502
Materials Accepted
Westchester County Household Materials Recovery Facility (H-MRF)
15 Woods Road, Valhalla, NY 10595
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of an old television or computer in Greenburgh?
Electronic waste is mandated for recycling in Westchester County and will not be picked up curbside. You can drop off your e-waste without an appointment at the Town DPW Yard located at 100 Sprain Road in Ardsley, Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
What is the procedure for throwing away old paint cans?
You must schedule a bulk pickup for paint cans, but they cannot contain liquid paint. You must dry out the paint completely using kitty litter or a chemical paint hardener. Once dry, leave the lids off and place them at the curb on your scheduled bulk collection day.
Why didn't the sanitation crew collect my cardboard boxes?
Unlike plastics and glass which go in the automated cart, paper and cardboard are still collected manually by Greenburgh sanitation workers. To ensure collection, all cardboard boxes must be flattened, tied into bundles, or placed in an open reusable container weighing less than 50 pounds.
Can I leave a mattress and a couch out for regular garbage collection?
No. Large items like mattresses and couches require a bulk pickup appointment. You can schedule this online or by calling the DPW at (914) 989-1581. Pickups are limited to 2 to 3 items per appointment and are usually scheduled for Thursdays or Fridays.