Green Bin (Trash)
All household garbage must be placed in the city-issued green tote. Place at the curb by 6:00 AM on your collection day with the handle and wheels facing the house.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Soiled paper products
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Rinse all containers thoroughly. Do not bag recyclables; place them loose in the blue bin so they can be easily sorted at the recycling facility.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1-7
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (clear, green, brown)
- ✓Metal food cans
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and mail
- ✓Corrugated cardboard (flattened, max 3'x3')
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Ceramics and glassware
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Limited to two clear plastic bags (max 30 lbs each) per week for weekly collection. Do not place yard waste in the street.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small brush
- ✓Tree parts
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once a month during a designated week (except November)
Placement
Limit of 4 cubic yards (3' x 3' x 12'). Do not place items over water shut-offs or fire hydrants. Set out no more than 24 hours before pickup.
Accepted
- ✓ Large household furnishings (sofas, beds, tables)
- ✓ Major appliances (Freon-free)
- ✓ Rolled carpeting (max 8 feet)
- ✓ Heavy household debris
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics, TVs, and monitors
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Contractor or construction debris
- ✕ Hazardous materials
- ✕ Concrete, bricks, and stone
Curbside bulk pickup is free for residents during the designated weeks. Tire disposal at the DPW carries a $5 to $10 fee per tire.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on or before your normal collection day, your trash and recycling pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and monthly bulk collections follow the same delayed holiday schedule as standard refuse.
Some holidays, such as Independence Day, Good Friday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Juneteenth, typically do not cause a service change in North Tonawanda. Check the DPW website to confirm.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
No Plastic Bags in the Blue Bin
North Tonawanda's recycling program requires items to be placed loosely in the blue tote. Plastic grocery bags and garbage bags jam the sorting machinery and will cause your bin to be left at the curb.
Pizza Boxes Belong in the Trash
While clean cardboard is highly recyclable, pizza boxes contaminated with grease, cheese, or food debris are considered non-recyclable rubbish. Throw them in your green garbage tote.
Prep Appliances for Heavy Pickup
If you are setting out a refrigerator, freezer, or air conditioner during your monthly bulk week, federal regulations mandate that Freon must be removed by a certified technician. The appliance must display a 'Freon Free' sticker.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - MarchDuring heavy winter snowstorms, never place your green or blue totes in the street, on top of, or buried inside snow banks. They must be kept behind the curbline to allow snowplows clear passage.
Spring/Summer
April - SeptemberTake advantage of the monthly heavy pickup weeks for spring cleaning. Remember that construction or demolition debris generated by private contractors will not be picked up by the DPW.
Autumn
October - NovemberPlease note that there is no 'Big Garbage Day' (bulk pickup) scheduled during the month of November. Plan your fall home cleanouts accordingly.
About North Tonawanda Waste Management
Municipal Refuse and Recycling in North Tonawanda
The City of North Tonawanda's Department of Public Works (DPW) provides weekly curbside collection for its residents. Every household utilizes city-issued green totes for standard household garbage and blue receptacles for single-stream recycling. Bins must be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection day, but no earlier than 24 hours prior to prevent neighborhood clutter.
Navigating the Monthly Big Garbage Day
Instead of a sporadic bulk schedule, North Tonawanda designates one specific week each month—with the notable exception of November—as 'Big Garbage Day' or heavy pickup week. During this scheduled week, residents can place up to 4 cubic yards (about 3 feet by 3 feet by 12 feet) of large household furnishings or appliances at the curb on their normal trash day without scheduling a special appointment.
Electronic Waste and Tire Disposal Rules
You cannot throw old televisions, computers, or vehicle tires into your curbside garbage or bulk piles. North Tonawanda residents must bring these items directly to the DPW facility located at 758 Erie Avenue. E-waste recycling is free for residents with a strict limit of four pieces per visit, while tire disposal incurs a small handling fee of $5 to $10 per tire depending on the size.
Curbside Yard Waste Management
For standard weekly service outside of heavy pickup times, the DPW allows households to place up to two clear plastic bags of yard waste at the curb, provided neither bag exceeds 30 pounds in weight. Brush and tree limbs should be neatly separated and never placed over critical ground fixtures like water shut-off valves or sewer vents.
Drop-off Facilities
North Tonawanda DPW Facility
758 Erie Avenue, North Tonawanda, NY 14120
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
When is bulk trash pickup in North Tonawanda?
North Tonawanda schedules one 'Big Garbage Day' or heavy pickup week every month, with the exception of November. During this specific week, you can place up to 4 cubic yards of bulky items at the curb on your regular trash collection day.
How do I get rid of an old TV in North Tonawanda?
Televisions and other electronic waste cannot be left at the curb. You must bring them directly to the DPW facility at 758 Erie Avenue during regular weekday hours (7:00 AM - 3:00 PM). There is a limit of 4 pieces per resident, and you must show proof of residency.
What size are the city-issued garbage and recycling bins?
The City provides large green totes for standard household garbage and a blue bin for recycling. If you consistently generate more waste, residential property owners can request one additional green garbage receptacle for an annual fee.
Can I put yard waste in my green garbage tote?
For weekly collection outside of heavy pickup weeks, the city will collect up to two clear plastic bags of yard waste (max 30 pounds each) placed next to your green tote. You can also bundle small brush and tree limbs separately.