Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Hempstead
New York municipal refuse is collected weekly on designated neighborhood days. Recycling is often collected on specific days depending on the borough or county.
State Mandate
Strictly separate e-waste. Electronics are banned from regular trash.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside sanitation and waste disposal services are funded through town and district property taxes rather than a separate utility invoice.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Property tax exemptions and reductions are available for eligible seniors, persons with disabilities and limited income, and veterans.
Resident-provided standard cans or heavy-duty bags Bin (Trash)
Trash cans must not exceed 45 gallons in volume. No single can or bag may weigh more than 75 pounds. Place at the curb prior to 5:00 a.m. on collection day, but no earlier than 7:00 p.m. the night before.
Accepted Items
- ✓Normal household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
Town-issued Orange Recycling Bin Bin (Recycling)
Do not mix newsprint/paper with glass and plastics; they must be kept separated within or next to the orange bin. Rinse all food containers. Never use plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum, steel, and tin cans
- ✓Clear and colored glass bottles
- ✓Plastics with recycling symbols #1 or #2
- ✓Newspapers and magazines (bundled or in paper bags)
- ✓Flattened and bundled cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastics #3 through #7
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Ceramics, lightbulbs, and mirrors
Yard Waste Bin
Collected on Wednesdays only. Maximum of 25 bags per week. Bags/bundles must not exceed 75 lbs. Branches must be tied in bundles no larger than 2' x 2' x 4'.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Twigs and branches
- ✓Tree stumps and logs (bundled)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By Appointment (Special Pick-Up)
Placement
State law requires that all doors must be completely removed from refrigerators and freezers before they are placed at the curb to safeguard neighborhood children.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, desks, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be in sealed plastic bags)
- ✓ Large appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers)
- ✓ Carpeting (cut, rolled, and tied into 4-foot lengths)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions, computers, and electronics (E-waste)
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals and wet paint
- ✕ Oil storage tanks (unless cleaned and cut in half)
- ✕ Construction contractor debris
Standard Special Pick-Ups for large household items are included in your sanitation taxes, but requests are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a holiday falls on a Monday, the normal Monday/Thursday pickup shifts to Tuesday/Thursday, and the Tuesday/Friday pickup shifts to Wednesday/Friday. The Wednesday yard waste collection is typically canceled.
Yard Waste Exception
During holiday weeks, Wednesday yard waste pickup is almost always suspended to allow sanitation crews to make up for missed household garbage collections.
During Thanksgiving week, Monday/Thursday routes are collected on Monday ONLY, and Tuesday/Friday routes are collected on Tuesday ONLY. Normal yard waste is collected on Wednesday.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring/Summer
April - AugustThe town's S.T.O.P. (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) events typically begin in April at various town parks. This is the optimal time to safely dispose of spring cleaning chemicals, pool chlorine, and old lawn fertilizers.
Autumn
September - NovemberHeavy leaf drop occurs during these months. Ensure all leaves are bagged (up to 25 bags per week). Raking leaves directly into the municipal street is strictly prohibited as it creates slip hazards and clogs storm drains.
Winter
December - JanuaryChristmas trees and holiday wreaths are collected as yard waste on a specifically designated Wednesday in early January. Ensure all lights, tinsel, and ornaments are entirely removed before placing the tree at the curb.
Local Tips & Community Info
Routine Trash Pickup in the Town of Hempstead
Living in Hempstead means keeping up with the local sanitation department’s specific schedule. Regular household refuse is collected multiple times a week depending on your exact neighborhood or sanitary district. It is crucial for homeowners to familiarize themselves with their designated days to keep the community clean. The sanitation crews start their routes early, so missing the truck is a common frustration for new residents. Keep in mind that seasonal changes might affect start times, particularly during the hot summer months of June through August when crews hit the streets earlier than usual to avoid the heat.
Receptacle Limits and Evening Placement
Timing is everything when taking out the trash. According to town ordinances, garbage cannot be placed on the curb any earlier than 5:00 PM or 7:00 PM the evening before your scheduled pickup, depending on your specific district. To guarantee collection, ensure your bins are out before 5:00 AM the morning of service. There are also strict rules regarding the physical containers. Hempstead requires standard garbage cans with removable, tight-fitting lids. Attached covers are prohibited. Additionally, your containers cannot exceed a maximum capacity of 45 gallons, and the total weight of a single loaded bin or tied plastic bag must remain under 75 pounds. Please note that the Village of Hempstead limits households to a maximum of 10 bags per collection day.
Sorting Your Recyclables Correctly
The recycling program is strictly enforced to minimize contamination at the sorting facility. You must leave your acceptable items loose in the designated recycling bin. Never use plastic bags to hold recyclables, as they jam the processing machinery and will cause your bin to be left on the curb. Hempstead only accepts plastics stamped with the numbers 1 and 2 on the bottom, alongside clean glass bottles, tin, and aluminum cans. Mixed paper and flattened cardboard must be handled differently; they should be securely tied and bundled next to your recycling container, rather than placed inside it.
Navigating Bulk Trash and Special Pickups
For oversized items that cannot fit into standard refuse bins, residents have access to bulk pickup services. Non-burnable items like old lawn furniture, empty paint cans, tires, and small metal scraps are typically collected once a week. Wood and branches must be cut to a maximum of four feet in length and bundled securely. If you are dealing with massive household cleanouts, you may need to schedule a special pickup directly with the Sanitation Department.
The Homeowner Disposal Area on Merrick Road
When curbside collection isn't enough, eligible residents of unincorporated areas and specific villages can utilize the Homeowner Disposal Area located at 1600 Merrick Road. Open most days of the week, this facility accepts a wide range of materials including electronics, propane tanks up to 20 pounds, appliances, and yard waste. You must bring proof of residency, such as a recent tax bill or driver's license, to gain entry. Commercial vehicles are strictly banned, and each household is limited to a single drop-off trip per day.
Drop-off Facilities
Town of Hempstead Homeowner Disposal Area
1600 Merrick Road, Merrick, NY 11566
Materials Accepted
Town of Hempstead S.T.O.P. & E-Cycling Events
Various Town Parks (e.g., Eisenhower Park, Newbridge Road Park)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time can I place my garbage at the curb in Hempstead?
Depending on your specific sanitary district, trash should be placed at the curb no earlier than 5:00 PM or 7:00 PM the evening prior to your collection day, and no later than 5:00 AM on the morning of pickup.
How many bags of trash am I allowed to throw away?
While the Town of Hempstead requires standard bins under 45 gallons and 75 pounds, residents specifically serviced by the Village of Hempstead are limited to a maximum of 10 garbage bags per collection day.
Can I put my recyclables in plastic bags?
No. Recyclables must be placed loosely inside your bin. Plastic bags cause issues at the recycling plant, and any recyclables placed in plastic bags will be left at the curb uncollected.