Varies by Private Hauler Bin (Trash)
Because the town uses an open market, your specific bin size, color, and placement time are dictated entirely by the contract you establish with your chosen private hauler.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small non-hazardous household items
Varies by Private Hauler Bin (Recycling)
All private haulers in New Hartford must comply with the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority (OHSWA) 'RecycleOne' single-stream guidelines. Recyclables must be kept loose, never bagged.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Rigid plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
Yard Waste Bin
Grass and weeds must be placed in paper bags or reusable containers (under 50 lbs). Plastic bags are banned. Branches must be stacked neatly facing the road. Leaf vacuuming in October requires loose piles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves (loose in autumn only)
- ✓Brush and branches (under 8 ft long, 8 inches diameter)
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Weeds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Annually (Curbside) / Weekly (Drop-off)
Placement
For the October curbside pickup, items must be strictly separated into the 5 designated categories. Construction debris must be containerized.
Accepted
- ✓ Metals and major appliances (doors removed)
- ✓ Tires (off rims, max 4)
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Construction debris (max 3 containers, 45 lbs each)
- ✓ Televisions and electronics
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous household waste
- ✕ Wet paint and liquids
- ✕ Batteries and propane tanks
- ✕ Styrofoam
The October curbside pickup and Monday drop-offs are free. The monthly curbside pickup (first Monday, April-Sept) requires a $5 tag per item, purchased at the Town Clerk's office.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Private garbage haulers establish their own holiday slide schedules for your household trash. Check directly with your provider (e.g., WM) for standard trash delays.
Yard Waste Exception
For Town-operated services (Brush and Yard Debris), there is no collection on Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving Day. Schedules will shift by one day following the holiday.
If a major holiday falls on a Monday during the summer, the weekly Highway Garage Bulk Drop-Off and the monthly $5 Tag Service pickup are automatically pushed to Tuesday.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Do Not Bag Autumn Leaves
When the October leaf collection season begins, the Town's leaf vacuum trucks deploy. Bagged leaves slow down the process and can damage vacuum equipment. Keep your autumn leaves in loose, consolidated piles at the curb.
Separate Your October Bulk Categories
For the annual October Curbside Trash Pickup, you cannot just throw a mixed pile of junk on your lawn. The Highway Department requires you to separate waste into distinct piles: metals in one, tires in another, and furniture in a third.
Keep Plastic Bags Out of Yard Waste
For summer brush and yard debris collection, use only paper lawn bags or reusable metal/plastic bins. The municipal composting facilities strictly reject plastic bags, and town crews will leave them at the curb.
Seasonal Information
Autumn
October - NovemberThe Town transitions from scheduled brush pickup to its heavy-duty leaf vacuum service in October. Leaves must be raked into loose piles. Any other yard debris placed out during this time must be fully containerized in paper bags or bins.
Spring/Summer
April - SeptemberThe Monday Trash Drop-Off at the Highway Garage on New Hartford Street is fully operational from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM every Monday. (If a holiday falls on Monday, the drop-off slides to Tuesday).
About New Hartford Waste Management
New Hartford's Unique Dual-Service Waste System
Waste management in the Town of New Hartford operates on a split system. The town itself does not provide standard weekly garbage and recycling collection; residents operate in an 'open market' and must hire private haulers, such as Waste Management (WM) or Controlled Waste Systems, to handle everyday household trash. However, the Town Highway Department takes over for heavy lifting, managing a robust, municipally funded yard waste and bulk rubbish program.
The Massive October Ward Cleanup
Every October, the Town Highway Department conducts a highly coordinated, one-time Curbside Trash Pickup. The town is divided by Wards, with each Ward assigned a specific collection week. Residents are permitted to place bulk waste at the curb, provided it is strictly separated into specific categories: metals, tires without rims, furniture, containerized construction debris, and electronics. This acts as the primary annual cleanout for town homeowners.
Summer Monday Bulk Drop-Offs and Tag Service
If you miss the October cleanup or need to dispose of items during the warmer months, the Town operates a free weekly Trash Drop-Off at the Highway Garage on New Hartford Street. This facility is open to town residents every Monday morning from April through September. For those who cannot haul their own items, the Town Clerk offers a $5 'Tag Service,' allowing residents to schedule a home pickup on the first Monday of each month.
Strict Container Rules for Green Waste
From April to September, the town provides curbside brush collection based on your Ward. While large limbs and brush can be stacked loosely, smaller yard debris like grass clippings, weeds, and hedge trimmings must be fully containerized. You must use paper lawn bags or reusable metal or plastic bins weighing under 50 pounds. Because the debris goes to a municipal composting facility, plastic bags are absolutely prohibited.
Autumn Leaf Vacuum Protocol
Once October arrives, the summer brush schedule is suspended, and the Highway Department transitions to its autumn leaf vacuum service. This runs continuously until the first major snowfall. During this season, residents are strictly instructed not to bag their leaves. Instead, leaves must be consolidated into large, loose piles positioned just behind the curb, ensuring they do not block storm drains or roadways.
Drop-off Facilities
Town of New Hartford Highway Garage
111 New Hartford Street, New Hartford, NY 13413
Materials Accepted
OHSWA EcoDrop Utica
80 Leland Ave Extension, Utica, NY 13502
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Town of New Hartford provide weekly garbage collection?
No, the Town operates an open market system for regular household trash. Homeowners must independently hire a private sanitation company, such as Waste Management or Controlled Waste Systems, for weekly garbage and recycling services.
How do I dispose of large furniture or appliances in New Hartford?
You have three options through the Town Highway Department: 1) Drop it off for free at the Highway Garage on Monday mornings (April-Sept). 2) Buy a $5 tag from the Town Clerk for a curbside pickup on the first Monday of the month. 3) Wait for your Ward's free Annual Curbside Cleanup in October.
Can I put my grass clippings and weeds in plastic bags?
No. All grass clippings, weeds, and small yard debris must be placed in paper lawn bags or reusable metal/plastic containers weighing less than 50 pounds. The municipal composting sites will reject any plastic bags.
When does New Hartford pick up autumn leaves?
The Town's leaf vacuum service begins in October and runs continuously until the first major snowfall. During this time, residents must rake leaves into loose piles behind the curb. Do not bag your leaves during this season.