Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for North Tonawanda
Trash Day
Trash collection runs Monday through Friday based on assigned neighborhood routes.
Recycling
Recycling is collected bi-weekly (every other week) on your regular trash collection day.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected weekly on your scheduled trash day when placed in paper bags, clear plastic bags, or tied into bundles up to 4 feet in length.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside trash and recycling services are managed by the Department of Public Works and funded through municipal property taxes, while water and sewer usage is billed separately by the City.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In-Person, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior citizen and low-income property tax exemptions are offered through the Assessor's Office; no direct utility discount listed.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Sanitation Services and Weekly Collection Rules
The City of North Tonawanda's Department of Public Works (DPW) handles all residential refuse collection for the community. Regular household garbage is picked up on a dependable weekly schedule. An interesting environmental feature of the city's waste management protocol is that everyday garbage is transported to Covanta in Niagara Falls, where it is safely incinerated to generate regional electricity. To ensure your household waste is collected efficiently and without disruption, all bins and neatly stacked materials must be placed at the curb no later than 6:00 AM on your designated collection morning.
Bi-Weekly Recycling and Blue Box Regulations
North Tonawanda operates an every-other-week recycling schedule to promote sustainability. Residents are instructed to use their provided blue bins for plastics marked #1 through #7, clear, green, and brown glass, as well as metal cans. It is essential to thoroughly rinse all food and beverage containers before tossing them in. Cardboard boxes must be completely flattened, cut into sections no larger than three feet by three feet, and tucked safely under or next to the blue bin. Please remember that plastic grocery bags, food-soiled pizza boxes, and styrofoam are strictly banned from the curbside recycling stream as they damage sorting equipment.
Monthly Bulk Garbage Allowances
For massive items that simply cannot fit into standard trash totes, the city provides a highly convenient monthly bulk pickup week. Unlike many municipalities that charge a fee per individual item, North Tonawanda allows residents to place up to four cubic yards of bulk waste at the curb during their designated week, which is typically the first full week of the month. These large items will be taken away on your regular garbage day. However, homeowners must remember that there is absolutely no bulk pickup during the month of November, as city sanitation crews pivot entirely to leaf collection.
Handling Leaves, Brush, and Yard Debris
Maintaining a tidy yard is easy with the city's seasonal yard waste programs. November is officially dedicated to clearing fallen leaves from neighborhoods, which pauses other special bulk collections. For heavy tree limbs and thick brush gathered throughout the year, the DPW physically chips the collected branches. These processed wood chips are actually made available for free to residents at the DPW facility on Erie Avenue, providing an excellent local resource for gardening, mulching, and landscaping projects.
Electronic Waste and Tire Disposal Site
Certain hazardous materials and automotive parts are banned from regular garbage trucks due to strict state environmental laws. North Tonawanda residents can conveniently drop off old televisions, computer monitors, and other electronic waste at the DPW headquarters located at 758 Erie Avenue. This e-waste drop-off is completely free for locals, provided you show a valid driver's license or proof of city residency upon arrival. If you need to dispose of used automobile tires, the DPW facility accepts them for a modest processing fee ranging between $5 and $10 per tire, depending on the rim size.
Drop-off Facilities
North Tonawanda DPW Facility
758 Erie Avenue, North Tonawanda, NY 14120
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is recycling picked up in North Tonawanda?
Recycling is collected on a bi-weekly basis (every other week) on the exact same day as your standard weekly garbage pickup.
When is bulk trash collected, and are there limits?
Bulk pickup happens one designated week per month, with the exception of November. Residents can put out a maximum of four cubic yards of large items on their normal trash day during that specific week.
Where can I get rid of an old television or computer?
You can safely bring electronic waste to the DPW yard located at 758 Erie Avenue during normal weekday hours. This disposal service is entirely free for residents who present proof of a North Tonawanda address.