Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for New York
Trash Day
Trash is collected two to three times per week depending on your borough and neighborhood route. Specific collection days can be confirmed using the DSNY address lookup tool on NYC 311 or the DSNY portal.
Recycling
Recycling is collected once per week on one of your scheduled collection days.
Yard Waste
Curbside composting (food scraps and yard waste) is collected once per week on the same day as your recycling collection.
Set Out Time
Place bins at the curb after 6:00 PM the evening before collection (or bags after 8:00 PM for eligible 10+ unit buildings). All waste must be curbside by midnight.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential curbside collection is funded through general city property taxes, so residents do not receive a separate recurring trash utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Not Applicable
Pro Tip / Discount
Homeowners enrolled in Basic or Enhanced STAR property tax relief programs are eligible for rebates/vouchers covering official NYC trash bins.
Black or Dark Grey (Official NYC Bin required for 1-9 units) Bin (Trash)
Starting June 2026, properties with 1-9 units must use the official NYC Bin (55 gallons or less with a secure latching lid). Trash must be set out after 6:00 PM the night before collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Wrappers and chip bags
- ✓Hygiene products
- ✓Standard household refuse
Green (Paper/Cardboard) and Blue (Metal/Glass/Plastic) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be separated into two streams. They must be placed in appropriate rigid bins with secure lids after 6:00 PM, or in clear plastic bags after 8:00 PM for larger buildings.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Newspapers and magazines
- ✓Metal food and beverage cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Rigid plastic containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic shopping bags
- ✕Batteries and electronics
- ✕Greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Tangled cords or hoses
- ✕Aerosol cans containing hazardous materials
Yard Waste Bin
Composting is mandatory citywide. All organics must be stored in a secure DSNY brown bin or a customized bin (55 gallons or less) with a tight-fitting lid to prevent rodent access.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, bones, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (napkins, greasy pizza boxes)
- ✓Fallen leaves
- ✓Small twigs and grass clippings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Up to 6 items per regular collection day
Placement
Place items curbside between 6:00 PM and midnight the night before your scheduled collection day. Items must not block pedestrian pathways.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and chairs
- ✓ Tables and desks
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be sealed)
- ✓ Large metal appliances (requires CFC appt if cooling)
- ✓ Scrap metal and bicycles
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Propane tanks and compressed gas cylinders
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Commercial or industrial waste
- ✕ Televisions and computers (E-waste)
Curbside bulk collection is completely free for NYC residents, funded by municipal taxes.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
On city-observed holidays, all DSNY collections are suspended. Residents will typically experience a one-day delay, pushing collection to the next consecutive day.
Yard Waste Exception
Compost collection follows the same holiday suspension rules as regular refuse. Hold your organics in a secure bin until your rescheduled pickup day.
Since New York City does not have a universal pickup day, holiday impacts vary widely by address. Always consult the DSNY portal or 311 app during holiday weeks.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - MarchWhen a severe snowstorm hits, DSNY shifts from garbage collection to snow plowing operations. Expect immediate, unannounced delays to all trash, recycling, and compost pickups until the streets are cleared.
Summer
June - AugustIf you are replacing a window AC unit during a heatwave, you cannot simply leave the old one on the curb. You must schedule a CFC/Freon removal appointment online before DSNY will haul it away.
Fall
October - NovemberDuring autumn leaf-fall, all leaves must be diverted from standard trash. Place them in your brown compost bin, in unlined rigid containers, or in biodegradable paper lawn and leaf bags.
Local Tips & Community Info
NYC Trash Collection & Set-Out Rules for 2026
New York City trash collection operates on a strict schedule managed by the Department of Sanitation (DSNY). In recent years, the city has updated its regulations to maintain cleaner streets and minimize pest activity. Whether you live in a single-family home or a multi-unit building, it is critical to follow the official set-out times. Generally, all waste must be placed at the curb the evening before your scheduled pickup day. For most residential properties, trash in secure containers can be set out starting at 6:00 PM. If your building is permitted to place waste directly on the curb in bags, you must wait until 8:00 PM. All materials need to be out by midnight to guarantee morning collection. Checking the official DSNY address lookup tool will confirm your exact weekly service days.
Mandatory Bins & Containerization Requirements
Under the 2026 containerization rules, strict guidelines apply to how New Yorkers store and discard residential trash. All properties with one to nine residential units are now required to place their non-recyclable garbage in a sealed container. Specifically, you must use a rigid bin that holds 55 gallons or less, and it must have a secure, tight-fitting lid. This initiative prevents spills, keeps sidewalks clear, and blocks rodents from accessing food waste. Fines are strictly enforced for those who use broken bins or leave raw bags directly on the sidewalk before the proper hour. Multi-unit buildings with 10 or more apartments have specific rules, sometimes opting into early morning set-out windows, but standard bin usage remains the most reliable way to stay compliant.
Curbside Composting and Recycling Sorting
Separating your waste is not just an environmental choice in New York—it is a legal requirement. Residents must split their recyclables into two distinct streams. Metal, glass, plastic, and beverage cartons belong together in clear bags or appropriately labeled blue bins. Paper and flattened cardboard go into separate clear bags or green-labeled bins. Additionally, curbside composting is mandatory across all five boroughs. Food scraps, yard waste, and food-soiled paper must be deposited into the official DSNY brown bin or another compliant sealed container. Proper sorting keeps reusable materials out of landfills and reduces the risk of receiving a separation violation ticket from local sanitation inspectors.
Handling Bulk Waste and Large Items
Disposing of old furniture, broken appliances, or large electronics requires a bit of planning. DSNY allows residents to set out up to six bulk items per regular collection day without an extra fee. You can place bundled cardboard and bulky furniture at the curb any time between 6:00 PM and midnight the evening prior to service. Keep in mind that specific rules apply to certain items. For example, mattresses and box springs must be completely sealed in specialized plastic bags before they reach the sidewalk to prevent bedbug transmission. Additionally, refrigerators and air conditioners require a scheduled appointment for CFC and Freon removal before the sanitation crew will take them away.
Holiday Schedule Changes and Missed Pickups
When official city holidays roll around, regular garbage and recycling services are usually suspended. The sanitation department typically shifts collection days, meaning your regular pickup might be delayed by a day or two. It is a smart habit to check the DSNY holiday calendar or the 311 portal before lugging heavy bags outside during a long weekend. If you followed all the set-out rules and your trash was still skipped, you can easily report a missed pickup. Wait until the end of your scheduled day, then submit a complaint through the NYC311 app or website. Just make sure your bins were correctly positioned and free of prohibited items, as crews will purposefully leave behind improperly sorted waste.
Drop-off Facilities
DSNY Special Waste Drop-Off Sites (Various Borough Locations)
e.g., 400 Bay Street (Staten Island) or 459 North Henry Street (Brooklyn)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time can I put my trash out in NYC?
For buildings using secure bins (55 gallons or less with a lid), you can set trash out starting at 6:00 PM the night before collection. If using permitted heavy-duty bags directly on the curb, wait until 8:00 PM.
Are trash bins mandatory for all New York City houses?
Yes, as of recent containerization laws, all residential properties with one to nine units must use a rigid bin with a secure lid for regular non-recyclable garbage.
How do I throw away a mattress in New York?
You can place it out on your normal bulk collection day, but the mattress or box spring must be entirely sealed in a plastic mattress bag before placing it on the curb to prevent pest issues.