Any standard durable container Bin (Trash)
Containers cannot exceed 35 gallons. Must be watertight with a tight-fitting lid. Place at curb by 6:00 a.m. but no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the night before. Empty bins must be removed the same day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household solid waste
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Dried out paint cans (lids removed)
- ✓Medical needles (in sealed, hard plastic containers)
Village recycling bin or clearly marked container Bin (Recycling)
Collected on alternating Wednesdays (Commingled vs. Paper/Cardboard). Cardboard must be flattened. Items must be loose, never bagged in plastic.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles (clear, brown, green)
- ✓Plastics #1 through #7
- ✓Metal cans and clean aluminum foil
- ✓Corrugated cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and mail
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Pesticide bottles
- ✕Broken glass and window panes
- ✕Hardback books
- ✕Ceramics and Pyrex
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in biodegradable paper bags or unlidded containers. No plastic bags. Branches must be tied in manageable bundles facing the same direction.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Weeds and shrub trimmings
- ✓Old flowers
- ✓Tree brush up to 1 inch thick
- ✓Tied branches under 5 inches thick and 5 feet long
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (Mondays for Zone 1, Tuesdays for Zone 2). Bulk metals/electronics are Thursdays/Fridays.
Placement
Bulk items must not be placed out before 5:00 p.m. the evening prior. Tape up glass on storm windows and completely remove doors from refrigerators and freezers.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Storm windows (glass must be thoroughly taped)
- ✓ Appliances (Freon stickers required)
- ✓ Televisions and electronics
- ✓ Bulk metals
Not Accepted
- ✕ Wet paint
- ✕ Propane tanks
- ✕ Hazardous household chemicals
- ✕ Contractor-generated construction debris
Standard curbside bulk collection is free for residents. However, disposing of appliances containing Freon may require professional Freon removal and a certification sticker beforehand.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a holiday falls on a collection day, garbage pickup is typically canceled and pushed back. On holiday weeks, bulk metal and electronics pickups are entirely suspended.
Yard Waste Exception
Organic yard waste pickup may also be delayed or canceled during holiday weeks to prioritize standard garbage routes.
The Village publishes a highly detailed, zone-by-zone holiday schedule matrix annually. Always check the official DPW website for exact alternate days.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Dry Out Leftover Paint
Liquid paint is strictly banned from the sanitation trucks. You must air-dry your leftover latex paint or use kitty litter to harden it. Once the paint is completely solid, you can safely place the cans in your regular garbage with the lids removed.
Remove Appliance Doors
If you are disposing of a refrigerator or freezer for bulk metal pickup, it is a strict village safety requirement that you must completely remove all doors before setting the appliance on the curb to prevent children from becoming trapped.
Secure Medical Needles
If you must throw away medical needles or syringes, never toss them loosely into the garbage. They must be placed inside a hard plastic container with a secure screw-top lid, clearly labeled, and then placed in the regular trash.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - MarchDuring winter storms, sidewalk snow and ice must be cleared within six hours after the precipitation stops (excluding 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.). Do not shovel snow into the roadway. Garbage pickup may be delayed; leave bins at the curb.
Fall
October - DecemberThe Highway Department operates a leaf vacuum machine in most areas during autumn. However, certain state routes still require residents to bag their leaves strictly in biodegradable paper bags.
Spring/Summer
April - OctoberYard waste is picked up consistently on your designated organic waste day (Monday or Tuesday depending on your zone). Remember to keep local streams clean by minimizing the use of lawn chemicals and pesticides.
About Ossining Waste Management
Ossining's Two-Zone Sanitation Schedule
The Village of Ossining Department of Public Works divides residential garbage collection into two distinct zones. Residents in Zone 1 receive standard household refuse pickup on Mondays and Thursdays, while those in Zone 2 are serviced on Tuesdays and Fridays. Regardless of your zone, all garbage containers must not exceed 35 gallons, must be watertight with tight-fitting lids, and should be placed at the curb no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the night before your scheduled collection day.
Alternating Wednesday Recycling System
In Ossining, curbside recycling is strictly collected on Wednesdays for the entire village, utilizing an alternating bi-weekly schedule. One Wednesday is dedicated exclusively to commingled recyclables like glass bottles, plastic containers, and metal cans. The following Wednesday is reserved for paper products and corrugated cardboard. To participate, residents must place recyclables in a designated village bin or a clearly marked container, ensuring items are never enclosed in plastic bags.
Yard Waste and Organic Collection
Organic yard waste is collected weekly during the growing season. Zone 1 properties receive organic waste pickup on Tuesdays, while Zone 2 properties are serviced on Mondays. The DPW requires all grass clippings, weeds, and leaves to be placed in biodegradable paper bags—which can be purchased directly at the DPW office—or open, unlidded containers. Limbs and branches under five inches in diameter must be securely tied in bundles facing the same direction to guarantee pickup.
Bulk Trash and Metal Collection Rules
Discarding large household items requires adhering to specific collection days. General bulk trash, such as furniture and mattresses, is collected on your first garbage day of the week (Mondays for Zone 1; Tuesdays for Zone 2). However, bulk metals, electronics, and appliances—including televisions and refrigerators—are exclusively collected on your second garbage day (Thursdays for Zone 1; Fridays for Zone 2). Always remember to remove refrigerator doors before placing them curbside for safety.
Managing Hazardous Household Chemicals
Like many Westchester County municipalities, Ossining prohibits the disposal of hazardous liquids, heavy chemicals, and wet paints in the regular trash. Residents looking to discard toxic substances, pesticides, or bulk tires must utilize the Westchester County Household Material Recovery Facility (H-MRF) in Valhalla. Access to the H-MRF requires scheduling a drop-off appointment in advance via the county's Recycling HelpLine.
Drop-off Facilities
Westchester County Household Material Recovery Facility (H-MRF)
15 Woods Road, Valhalla, NY 10595
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispose of a refrigerator in the Village of Ossining?
Refrigerators and air conditioners are collected on your zone's designated bulk metal day (Thursdays for Zone 1, Fridays for Zone 2). However, you must first have the Freon properly removed and a certification sticker affixed. You are also required by law to remove the refrigerator doors before placing it curbside.
When does the Village of Ossining pick up recycling?
Recycling is collected village-wide every Wednesday on an alternating schedule. One Wednesday is dedicated solely to commingled items like glass, plastic, and metal containers. The following Wednesday is for paper and flattened cardboard. You can view the exact alternating calendar on the DPW website.
Are there size limits for my regular garbage cans?
Yes. The Village of Ossining DPW mandates that standard household garbage containers must not exceed 35 gallons in capacity. They must be made of sturdy plastic or metal, be watertight, and have a tight-fitting lid to prevent wildlife scavenging.
What are the rules for yard waste and brush collection?
Organic waste is collected on Mondays for Zone 1 and Tuesdays for Zone 2. Leaves, weeds, and shrub trimmings must be placed in biodegradable paper bags or unlidded containers—plastic bags are strictly prohibited. Branches must be less than 5 inches in diameter, cut to under 5 feet long, and tied into manageable bundles.