Resident-provided bag or can Bin (Trash)
Requires one $6.00 Trash Tag per 35 lbs. Trash cans or plastic bags may be used. Containers must not exceed 32 gallons and the total weight cannot exceed 70 pounds. Place out the night before your scheduled collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food wrappers
Green (County bin) or Resident-provided (up to 50 gallons) Bin (Recycling)
Collected every other week. Containers must not exceed 40 pounds when full. Do not put items in plastic bags; place them loosely in the bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Paper coffee cups (empty, no lid/straw)
- ✓Plastics #1, #2, and #5
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Metal cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Black plastic containers
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food and beverage cartons (milk, juice, soup)
- ✕Electronics and batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Collected on weeks opposite of recycling (April-Nov). Requires a $1.50 Yard Waste Tag per bundle/bag. Must use bio-degradable paper bags or open trash cans. No plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Brush (bundled, max 4 ft long)
- ✓Branches (max 2 inches diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
No municipal curbside bulk pickup.
Placement
Items must be hauled directly to the Tompkins County RSWC at 160 Commercial Ave during standard operating hours.
Accepted
- ✓ Refrigerators and freezers
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Scrap metal
- ✓ Tires (Category 1a/1b)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste (unless during specific HHW event days)
Disposal fees apply and are calculated based on the specific material type, size, and total weight of the load dropped off at the RSWC.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Trash is not collected on any major holiday or the day the holiday is officially observed by administrative offices. Trash collection will be pushed back by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular trash but is typically collected later in the afternoon.
For exact recycling date shifts during holiday weeks, refer to the Tompkins County Recycling calendar, as they manage the county-wide curbside pickup schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Paper Cups Are Now Approved
Thanks to new processing technology at the Tompkins County facilities, paper cups (like those from coffee shops) are now recyclable! However, you must ensure the cup is completely empty and remove the plastic lid and straw before tossing it in your green bin.
Keep Plastic Out of Yard Waste
If you place your grass clippings or leaves in standard plastic trash bags, they will be flagged, rejected, and left at your curb. If you fail to remove them, the city will treat it as special trash and charge a $20 fine plus the weight of the bags.
Say No to Black Plastic
Even if it has a recycling symbol, black plastic cannot be properly sorted by the optical scanners at the Tompkins County recycling facility. Throw all black plastic takeout containers and trays directly into your stickered trash bag.
Seasonal Information
Spring/Summer
April to NovemberCurbside yard waste collection kicks off in early April and continues through the end of November, or until the first major snowfall. Remember that yard waste is picked up on the weeks opposite your recycling collection.
Winter
December to FebruaryDuring significant snowstorms, trash collection routes may be delayed. Ensure your bags and bins are placed clearly visible at the curb and not buried behind snowbanks so crews can safely access them.
Post-Holiday
Late December to JanuaryNatural Christmas trees stripped of all lights, tinsel, and ornaments can be dropped off entirely free of charge at the Tompkins County Recycling and Solid Waste Center (RSWC) yard waste area through the end of January.
About Ithaca Waste Management
Navigating Ithaca's Pay-As-You-Throw Trash Tag System
The City of Ithaca operates under a mandatory Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) system to heavily incentivize waste reduction and environmental sustainability. Instead of a flat municipal fee, residents must purchase and apply an official Trash Tag to every bag or can of garbage set at the curb. As of 2026, these tags cost $6.00 each, with one tag covering up to 35 pounds of refuse. Tags can be conveniently purchased at City Hall, local grocery stores like Wegmans and GreenStar, or the Cornell Campus Store.
Shared County-Wide Curbside Recycling Rules
While the City handles household garbage, recycling is managed county-wide by the Tompkins County Recycling and Materials Management office. Recyclables are collected curbside every other week on the same day as your normal trash. Residents are allowed to use the official County green bins or provide their own containers (up to 50 gallons and 40 pounds). In a major 2026 update to their local single-stream program, Tompkins County now accepts clean, empty paper coffee cups, utilizing new machinery to separate the plastic lining from the paper.
Seasonal Yard Waste Collection and Tagging
Ithaca provides a dedicated curbside yard waste pickup running from early April through late November, aligning with the weeks opposite of your recycling collection. Similar to the trash program, yard waste requires specific $1.50 tags for each bag, can, or bundle. Crews hit the streets at 4:00 a.m., so materials must be placed out the night before. All brush must be neatly bundled, with branches not exceeding 2 inches in thickness or 4 feet in length.
Managing Bulky Items and Excess Waste at the RSWC
The City of Ithaca does not provide a standard weekly or monthly curbside bulk trash pickup for large items like couches, mattresses, or appliances. Residents needing to dispose of bulky waste or excess material must self-haul it to the Tompkins County Recycling and Solid Waste Center (RSWC) located on Commercial Avenue. The RSWC charges specialized tipping fees based on the item type and weight, but it also serves as a robust drop-off hub for food scraps, electronics, and household hazardous waste.
Drop-off Facilities
Tompkins County Recycling and Solid Waste Center (RSWC)
160 Commercial Ave, Ithaca, NY 14850
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do trash tags cost in the City of Ithaca?
As of January 1, 2026, official City of Ithaca Trash Tags cost $6.00 each, or $36.00 for a sheet of six. One tag allows you to dispose of up to 35 pounds of trash. They can be purchased at City Hall, Wegmans, Tops, and GreenStar Co-Op locations.
Does Ithaca offer curbside bulk trash pickup?
No, the City of Ithaca does not provide a standard curbside bulk waste collection service. If you have large items like furniture or appliances, you must haul them to the Tompkins County Recycling and Solid Waste Center (RSWC) on Commercial Avenue or hire a private junk removal service.
Can I put my yard waste in plastic bags?
Absolutely not. Any yard waste placed in plastic bags will be rejected at the curb. If left out, the city will eventually collect it as special trash and charge you a $20 fee plus the weight of the bags. Always use bio-degradable paper lawn bags or open trash cans.
Are paper coffee cups recyclable in Ithaca?
Yes! Due to a recent equipment upgrade in Tompkins County, you can now place paper cups in your curbside recycling bin. Just make sure the cup is completely empty and remove the plastic lid and any straws before recycling.