Varies by private carter Bin (Trash)
Trash collection must be arranged through a private, town-licensed hauling contractor. Bins must be secure and leak-proof.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste (if not using the scrap drop-off)
- ✓Non-hazardous household items
Blue (Paper) and Green (Containers) Bin (Recycling)
Dual-stream separation is mandatory. Paper must not be mixed with glass/plastic containers. Recyclables must be loose; never place plastic bags in the recycling bins.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and mixed paper (Blue Bin)
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (Green Bin)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (Green Bin)
- ✓Metal food and beverage cans (Green Bin)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Wire hangers
- ✕Ceramics
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Food waste
Yard Waste Bin
Collected on a 5-week rolling schedule from March to October. No grass clippings are accepted at the curb; grass must be taken to the Highway Department Drop-Off Center.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves (in biodegradable paper bags)
- ✓Brush and twigs (bundled, max 3 feet long)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By private arrangement or Drop-Off Center
Placement
Do not leave bulk items at the curb indefinitely. They should only be placed out the evening before your pre-arranged private pickup to avoid property maintenance violations.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Construction debris (max 1 cubic yard at drop-off)
- ✓ Large household junk
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid chemicals
- ✕ Tires (verify with hauler)
To dispose of bulk items at the Orangetown Highway Department Drop-Off Center, residents must first purchase an Annual Bulk Admission Sticker.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
For town-managed recycling, a holiday falling on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday will push Wednesday collections to Thursday, and Thursday collections to Friday. For standard garbage, you must verify the holiday delay policy directly with your private carter.
Yard Waste Exception
Highway Department drop-off hours and neighborhood green waste collections may be suspended or altered during weeks containing major holidays like Columbus Day or Veterans Day.
Always refer to the Rockland Green website or the Orangetown Highway Department annual mailer for exact date adjustments.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Respect the Dual-Stream Colors
Mixing your recyclables will result in a contaminated load. Always keep your cardboard, newspaper, and mail strictly in the blue bin, while reserving the green bin exclusively for rinsed plastic, metal, and glass containers.
Grass Clippings Are Banned at the Curb
The Orangetown Highway Department will not pick up grass clippings left at the curb. Placing them out with your branches or leaves creates a mess and violates town policy. You must compost them or transport them to the Route 303 Drop-Off Center.
Banish Plastic Bags from Recycling
Never bag your recyclables, and never throw plastic shopping bags into the blue or green bins. Plastic film tangles in the Rockland Green materials recovery facility machinery. Return them to local grocery stores instead.
Seasonal Information
Spring / Summer
March - OctoberThe Highway Department's Green Waste Removal Program operates on a rolling 5-week schedule by town zone. Do not place yard debris out earlier than five days before your neighborhood's scheduled Monday morning pickup.
Fall
November - DecemberThe Town-wide Fall Leaf Pick-Up Program begins in early November. Pile leaves on your lawn within 10 feet of the property line. Do not rake leaves into the street, as this violates the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.
Winter
December - FebruaryAfter the final Green Waste pickup passes your street in December, the town vacuum trucks retire for the winter. Any remaining leaves must be placed in biodegradable paper bags. The brush program will not resume until the spring.
About Orangetown Waste Management
Navigating Orangetown's Hybrid Waste Collection System
Managing solid waste in the Town of Orangetown requires navigating a hybrid system. While the town and Rockland Green manage the collection of recyclables and seasonal yard debris, weekly household garbage and bulk item disposal is strictly a private matter. Residents must independently contract with a town-licensed private carter to ensure their standard household putrescible waste is collected efficiently and legally under Chapter 17B of the Town Code.
Strict Dual-Stream Recycling Protocols
Rockland Green mandates a strict dual-stream recycling program across Orangetown to maintain the high purity of processed materials. Homeowners are issued specific color-coded bins: a blue bin designated solely for mixed paper and cardboard, and a green bin for plastic, glass, and metal containers. The centralized recycling fleet typically services the majority of Orangetown on Wednesdays, while residents in South Nyack and parts of Pearl River west of Route 304 are scheduled for Thursdays.
The Food Scrap Drop-Off Initiative
Orangetown leads the county in sustainable waste reduction with its robust Food Scrap Recycling Program. Rather than tossing organic matter into the trash where it produces landfill methane, residents can pick up a free Food Scrap Kit from the Highway Department on Route 303. This kit includes countertop and transport bins, along with Rockland Green's mandatory compostable bags. Filled bags can then be dropped off at designated centralized locations, where the scraps are eventually converted into nutrient-rich soil amendments.
Clean Streets, Clean Streams: Yard Waste Rules
To prevent localized flooding and protect local waterways, the Orangetown Highway Department enforces a strict 'Clean Streets-Clean Streams' policy. During the 5-week Green Waste Removal cycles and the dedicated Fall Leaf Pick-Up, yard debris must absolutely never be placed on the paved road surface or over storm drains. Leaves must be piled neatly on the lawn within the first 10 feet of the property line, or bagged in biodegradable paper sacks.
Drop-off Facilities
Orangetown Highway Department Drop-Off Center
119 Route 303, Orangeburg, NY 10962
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Town of Orangetown provide weekly garbage pickup?
No. The town operates a private subscription system for household garbage. Residents must hire a private, town-licensed carting company to collect their regular trash and bulk waste.
Why do I have two different colored recycling bins?
Orangetown follows Rockland Green's dual-stream recycling system to maximize material recovery. The blue bin is strictly for mixed paper and cardboard, while the green bin is for plastic, metal, and glass containers. Mixing the two streams is not allowed.
Can I rake my fall leaves into the street for the vacuum trucks?
No. Under Orangetown's 'Clean Streets-Clean Streams' policy and local traffic laws, it is illegal to place leaves on the paved roadway or over storm drains. Leaves must be piled on the grass within the first 10 feet of your property line.
How do I use the town's Food Scrap Recycling Program?
Residents can visit the Highway Department on Route 303 to pick up a free Food Scrap Kit, which includes a countertop bin, a transport bin, and compostable bags. Once your bags are full of food waste (including meat, dairy, and bones), you can drop them off at the designated bins located at the Route 303 center or in Nyack.