Resident-provided (standard cans) Bin (Trash)
Place bins at the curb before 6:00 AM on your collection day or after 5:00 PM the evening before. Collections are curbside only; there are no backdoor pickups.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household refuse
- ✓Food waste (if not using compost program)
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Resident-provided recycling bins Bin (Recycling)
Commingled items (glass/plastic/metal) must be separated from paper/cardboard/beverage cartons. Place at the curb before 6:00 AM. Remove caps from all bottles and jars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1-#7 (rinsed)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (rinsed)
- ✓Tin and aluminum cans
- ✓Cardboard, newspaper, and beverage cartons
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
- ✕Paint cans
- ✕Scrap metal or piping
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in brown paper bags (maximum 10 bags per pickup). Branches must be tied in bundles no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet by 1 foot. Collected on your second garbage day of the week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Every Wednesday (Suspended during holiday weeks)
Placement
Place items at the curb no earlier than 5:00 PM on Tuesday and no later than 6:00 AM on Wednesday.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and chairs
- ✓ Rugs (cut in max 3-foot lengths, tied max 50 lbs)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Metal appliances and e-waste (by appointment only)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Poles over 4 feet long or with cement attached
Included in municipal service, provided volumes do not exceed the 2-cubic-yard limit for standard bulk without an appointment.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a holiday falls on a weekday, regular garbage and recycling collections shift forward one day (e.g., Monday routes move to Tuesday).
Yard Waste Exception
N/A
Crucially, all Wednesday bulk, metal, and electronics collections are entirely suspended during any week that contains a town-observed holiday.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Remove the Caps from Your Bottles
While glass jars and plastics numbered 1 through 7 are perfectly fine in your commingled bin, the town recycling guide explicitly requires you to remove all caps and thoroughly rinse the containers before tossing them out.
Never Bag Recyclables or Yard Waste in Plastic
Whether it is commingled recycling or autumn leaves, plastic bags are the fastest way to get your pile rejected. Use brown paper bags for organics and keep recyclables loose in the bin.
Keep Plastic Out of the Food Scraps
If you participate in the town's food scrap drop-off, do not use standard grocery bags to line your pails. Only BPI-certified compostable bags are permitted, as even a small amount of regular plastic can cause an entire truckload of compost to be rejected.
Seasonal Information
Spring
April to MaySpring cleanouts often generate excess waste. Remember that while standard bulk up to 2 cubic yards is collected on Wednesdays without an appointment, you must call the Sanitation Dispatcher at 914-670-3200 to schedule any metal appliances or electronics.
Summer
June to AugustDuring peak lawn care season, organic yard waste must be contained entirely in brown paper bags, capped at 10 bags per pickup, and placed out only on your last garbage day of the week (Thursday or Friday).
Autumn
September to NovemberFall holidays like Columbus Day and Veterans Day frequently disrupt the schedule. Remember that any week containing a town holiday means Wednesday bulk, metal, and e-waste pickups are completely suspended for that week.
About Harrison Waste Management
Twice-a-Week Garbage and The Wednesday Bulk Rule
Harrison's municipal collection offers a robust schedule, splitting the town into zones for twice-a-week garbage pickup (either Monday and Thursday or Tuesday and Friday). Unlike many other Westchester communities, the Department of Public Works reserves Wednesdays entirely for bulk trash, metal, and electronics. This mid-week sweep is extremely efficient, but residents must note that while standard bulk items require no appointment if they are under two cubic yards, white goods and e-waste must be explicitly scheduled via the Sanitation Dispatcher.
Managing Holiday Week Suspensions
The most important quirk in the Town of Harrison's sanitation calendar is the 'Holiday Wednesday' rule. Whenever a town-recognized holiday falls during the workweek, all Wednesday bulk, metal, and electronic collections are completely suspended. Regular garbage and recycling days will simply bump forward by one day, but you cannot put bulk trash or metal items at the curb during a holiday week.
Strict Bag Limits for Organic Yard Waste
Maintaining Harrison's lush landscapes produces significant yard debris. The Sanitation Department will collect grass and leaves on the second garbage day of your week (either Thursday or Friday). However, you must use biodegradable brown paper bags, and there is a strict limit of ten bags per property per week. Anything placed in plastic bags or exceeding the ten-bag limit will be left behind by the collection crews.
The Voluntary Food Scrap Recycling Initiative
Harrison is leading the charge on local sustainability with a dedicated Food Scrap Recycling Program. Rather than tossing leftovers into the regular refuse stream, residents can collect food scraps—including meat, bones, and dairy—in countertop pails and bring them to the drop-off bins. The town highly recommends lining these pails with BPI-certified compostable bags, as regular plastic immediately contaminates the batch, causing the processing facility to reject the entire load and send it to the landfill.
Drop-off Facilities
Westchester County Household Material Recovery Facility (H-MRF)
15 Woods Road, Valhalla, NY 10595
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an appointment for Wednesday bulk trash in Harrison?
You only need to call the Sanitation Dispatcher (914-670-3200) to schedule a pickup if you are disposing of metal appliances, electronics, or if your regular bulk trash exceeds the two-cubic-yard limit. Standard household furniture under the limit does not require an appointment.
What happens to bulk pickup if there is a holiday?
If a town holiday falls anywhere during the week, all Wednesday bulk, metal, and electronics collections are completely suspended for that entire week.
How do I dispose of yard waste in Harrison?
Organic yard waste is collected on your second garbage day of the week (Thursday or Friday). It must be placed in brown paper bags—up to a maximum of ten bags per pickup. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited.
Can I recycle milk and juice cartons with my plastics?
No. In Harrison, waxy beverage cartons (like those used for juice, milk, and broth) are considered paper products and must be separated from your commingled glass and plastics. They should be placed with your cardboard and paper recyclables.