Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Middletown
Trash Day
Trash collection runs weekly by ward: 4th Ward on Mondays, 2nd Ward on Tuesdays, 3rd Ward on Wednesdays, and 1st Ward on Thursdays.
Recycling
Every Friday citywide
Yard Waste
Mondays (seasonally from April through early November; placed out Sunday evening)
Set Out Time
After 5:00 PM the evening before or by 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Water and sewer utility bills are issued tri-annually and are due within 30 days of the billing date.
Billing Cycle
Three times per year (January 1, May 1, and September 1)
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In Person
City-issued Cart Bin (Trash)
Place your city-issued garbage cart at the curb the night before your scheduled collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Soiled paper
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Items must be placed loosely in the blue cart. No plastic bags whatsoever are permitted.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic containers #1-7
- ✓Milk and juice cartons
- ✓Metal and aluminum cans
- ✓Glass bottles (clear, green, brown)
- ✓Corrugated cardboard
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and office paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags of any kind
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Straws
- ✕Wire hangers
- ✕Paper soiled with grease or paint
- ✕Tissues and paper towels
Yard Waste Bin
Set out on Sunday evenings starting April 1st. Branches must be bundled in lengths no longer than 3 feet. Do not use city refuse carts for yard waste.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush
- ✓Small branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Annually during Spring Clean-Up Week
Placement
Items must be placed on the curb the Sunday evening prior to your Ward's specific clean-up week.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and chairs
- ✓ Freon-free appliances (doors removed)
- ✓ Up to 4 tires off the rim
- ✓ Boxes of smaller household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics and TVs
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Stone and dirt
- ✕ Car parts
- ✕ Hazardous waste and batteries
A bill will be issued for any additional items picked up beyond the strict 12-item limit.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
There is no garbage pickup on City holidays. Garbage will be picked up the following day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste is typically managed at the beginning of the week based on Sunday set-outs; follow DPW alerts for holiday week modifications.
For recycling, there is a special Saturday recycling pickup for weeks that contain a holiday.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MayThe Annual Spring Clean-Up Week rolls out by Ward, allowing single and two-family homes to dispose of up to 12 bulky items at the curb.
Summer
June - AugustYard waste collection is in full swing. Ensure all brush is cut to 3 feet and bundled properly on the curb by Sunday evening.
Winter
December - MarchDuring heavy Orange County snowfalls, keep your carts clear of snowbanks and do not place them where they will obstruct city snowplows.
Local Tips & Community Info
Navigating Middletown's DPW Sanitation Services
In the City of Middletown, New York, residential refuse and recycling collection is meticulously managed by the local Department of Public Works (DPW). To ensure clean streets and efficient routes, residents are required to roll their municipal trash and recycling bins down to the curb the night before their scheduled pickup day. During the hotter summer months, sanitation crews often begin their routes exceptionally early to beat the heat, so late bin placement almost guarantees a missed collection. Homeowners must keep all household garbage contained within the provided receptacles, ensuring lids are fully closed to prevent litter from blowing into neighborhood storm drains or attracting urban wildlife.
Strict Single-Stream Recycling Protocols
Middletown takes contamination in its recycling stream very seriously. The city operates a single-stream system, meaning residents can mix clean aluminum cans, glass bottles, rigid plastic containers, and mixed office paper loosely within the same blue cart. However, strict bans apply to certain materials. You must never place recyclables inside plastic grocery bags, as these flexible films severely tangle the processing equipment. Furthermore, styrofoam and shredded paper are entirely prohibited from curbside recycling bins. Contaminated loads cost the city significantly when rejected by Orange County sorting facilities, and repeat offenders may face local code fines.
Annual Spring Bulk Clean-Up by Ward
For standard household clutter that won't fit into a weekly trash bin, Middletown coordinates an Annual Spring Clean-Up Week, typically spanning through April and early May. This highly anticipated bulk pickup service is restricted to single- and two-family homes and is strictly scheduled according to your specific city Ward (First, Second, Third, or Fourth Ward). Residents are instructed to place their heavy items at the curb the night before their Ward's designated collection day. Be aware that the DPW crews will absolutely not collect hazardous waste, automotive parts, construction debris, or electronics during these neighborhood sweeps.
Drop-Off Services at the Middletown Recycling Center
When you have excess debris or items banned from standard curbside pickup, the Middletown Recycling Center—located at 76 Monhagen Avenue (with some operations noted near Kanes Lane)—serves as a vital community resource. The facility accepts difficult-to-dispose-of items such as heavy mattresses, bulky furniture, and minor construction debris for a minimum fee of $10 for loads up to 150 pounds. Additionally, the center offers free drop-off for electronic waste, allowing residents to safely recycle obsolete computer monitors, televisions, and hardware without violating local dumping ordinances. Always verify current operating hours and temporary closure notices on the DPW website before loading up your vehicle.
Holiday Delays and SMS Notification System
Federal holidays can easily disrupt your weekly sanitation routine. Whenever a major recognized holiday falls on a weekday, the entire Middletown garbage and recycling schedule is pushed back by exactly one day for the remainder of that week, meaning a Friday pickup might shift to Saturday. To help residents keep track of these rotating schedules, the DPW offers a highly convenient digital alert system. Homeowners can sign up to receive text, phone, or email notifications directly from the city by visiting the municipal website or simply by texting 'Middletown' to 38276 on their mobile device.
Drop-off Facilities
DPW Recycling Center
76 Monhagen Ave, Middletown, NY 10940
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bag my recyclables in Middletown, NY?
No. Plastic bags are strictly banned from the recycling stream because they jam the sorting machinery. All recyclables must be placed loosely into your designated bin.
How do I get rid of an old mattress or large furniture?
You can wait for the Annual Spring Bulk Clean-Up week corresponding to your specific Ward, or you can drop the items off at the Middletown Recycling Center for a minimum $10 fee.
Where can I recycle an old television?
Electronic waste is not collected at the curb. Residents must bring their e-waste, including televisions and computers, to the DPW Recycling Center for safe, free processing.