Any standard container (Max 32 gallons) Bin (Trash)
The town does not service pails larger than 32 gallons or containers with permanently attached lids designed for automated trucks. An unlimited number of compliant cans or heavy-duty plastic bags may be used, provided no single container exceeds 50 lbs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food and market waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Heavily soiled paper
- ✓Standard household refuse
Yellow S.O.R.T. Pail Bin (Recycling)
Place plastics and metals loose in the yellow pail. Cardboard and paper must be bundled or placed in paper bags next to the recycling container. Do not place recyclables inside plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1 through #7 (bottles, jugs, food containers)
- ✓Metal cans (aluminum, tin, steel)
- ✓Clean cardboard (broken down and bundled next to the pail)
- ✓Newspapers and magazines (tied or in paper bags next to the pail)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars (must go to drop-off Igloos)
- ✕Plastic bags and dry cleaning bags
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam of any kind
- ✕Waxed or coated paper
Yard Waste Bin
Collected on recycling days from April through December. Must be placed in plastic bags (max 50 lbs) or tied in bundles no larger than 4 feet long and 50 lbs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Fallen leaves
- ✓Hedge and shrub clippings
- ✓Tree trimmings and small roots
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Up to 3 items per collection day
Placement
Place items at the curb between 5:00 p.m. the night before and 8:00 p.m. on the day of collection. Garage doors over 8 feet and large stockade fences must be cut in half.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, dressers, tables)
- ✓ Televisions
- ✓ Major appliances (doors must be removed from refrigerators)
- ✓ Mattresses
Not Accepted
- ✕ Contractor or commercial construction debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste and wet paint
- ✕ Propane tanks
- ✕ Medical waste
Bulk collection of up to three items per regular collection day is included in your standard municipal sanitation service at no extra charge.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a holiday falls on a Monday, Monday collections move to Tuesday, and Tuesday moves to Wednesday. If a holiday is on a Thursday, Thursday moves to Friday, and Friday moves to Saturday. If a holiday falls on a Friday, all collections move to Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Recycling and yard waste follow the same holiday sliding schedule as regular garbage.
Regular collections ARE made on Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Columbus Day, Election Day, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Utilize the Glass Igloos
Never put glass bottles or jars into your yellow S.O.R.T. pail. Glass shatters and contaminates other recyclables. Rinse your glass items and bring them to one of the town's designated Glass Igloo drop-off sites.
Keep Pizza Boxes Out
While clean corrugated cardboard is highly valued and should be bundled next to your yellow pail, pizza boxes are saturated with grease and cheese. They cannot be recycled and must go into your regular garbage.
Properly Handle Broken Glass
If you break a drinking glass or a window, do not throw the loose shards into the garbage bag where they can cut a sanitation worker. Broken glass must be placed inside a sealed cardboard box, clearly labeled 'Broken Glass,' and set out with your regular trash.
Seasonal Information
Spring-Fall
April - DecemberDedicated yard waste collection begins April 1 and runs through December 31. Ensure all landscaping debris is separated from household trash and placed out on your designated recycling day.
Winter
JanuaryChristmas trees can be placed at the curb as yard waste. Ensure all ornaments, lights, stands, and plastic disposal bags are completely removed before setting the tree out.
Winter
December - MarchDuring significant snowstorms, sanitation and recycling collections may be delayed or suspended so crews can focus on plowing. Keep containers clear of snowbanks and avoid placing them in the roadway.
About Oyster Bay Waste Management
Mastering the S.O.R.T. Program and Glass Igloos
The Town of Oyster Bay uses the S.O.R.T. (Separate Oyster Bay's Recyclables Today) program, providing residents with a recognizable yellow pail for curbside recycling. While plastics labeled #1 through #7 and metal cans go directly into the yellow bin, glass is no longer accepted curbside due to shifts in the recycling market. Instead, the town has established a specialized glass recycling program. Residents must rinse glass bottles and jars and drop them off at designated 'Glass Igloos' located at several town parks and facilities, including the Solid Waste Disposal Complex and Theodore Roosevelt Park.
Generous Curbside Bulk and Rubbish Allowances
Unlike many municipalities that restrict large item disposal or require paid appointments, Oyster Bay offers exceptionally generous curbside rules. On any of your regular sanitation collection days, you may place up to three bulk items—such as furniture, mattresses, or major appliances—at the curb without needing to call ahead. Additionally, for smaller 'rubbish' like tied carpets or lumber, residents can set out up to 10 items per collection day, provided the total weight does not exceed 200 pounds and no single item weighs over 50 pounds.
Seasonal Yard Waste Collection
From April 1 through December 31, yard waste is collected on your scheduled recycling day. The town allows residents to place grass clippings, leaves, and small roots in heavy-duty plastic bags or tied into bundles. Branches must be cut to a maximum of four feet in length and weigh no more than 50 pounds per bundle. It is critical that no household garbage or animal waste is mixed into yard bags, as this will contaminate the compost and result in the town refusing collection.
S.T.O.P. and Homeowners Cleanup Programs
To keep toxic chemicals and electronic waste out of Long Island's groundwater, Oyster Bay hosts frequent S.T.O.P. (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) and Homeowners Cleanup events at the Solid Waste Disposal Complex in Old Bethpage. These events allow residents to safely dispose of items strictly banned from curbside bins, such as oil-based paints, lithium batteries, pesticides, and televisions. The town even offers secure, on-site paper shredding during Homeowners Cleanup days.
Drop-off Facilities
Town of Oyster Bay Solid Waste Disposal Complex
101 Bethpage-Sweet Hollow Road, Old Bethpage, NY 11804
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a 96-gallon rolling cart for my garbage in Oyster Bay?
No. The Town of Oyster Bay Sanitation Department strictly prohibits the use of containers larger than 32 gallons, containers with permanently attached lids, or bins designed for automated mechanical lifting. Crews collect garbage manually, so no single filled container or bag can weigh more than 50 pounds.
Where do I recycle glass bottles?
Glass is no longer accepted in your yellow S.O.R.T. curbside pail. Residents must bring rinsed glass bottles and jars to one of the town's designated 'Glass Igloo' drop-off locations, such as Theodore Roosevelt Park or the Solid Waste Disposal Complex.
Do I need to call the town to throw away a couch or refrigerator?
No. The town allows residents to place up to three large bulk items—including couches, televisions, and appliances—on the curb during any regular sanitation collection day without scheduling a special pickup. Just ensure doors are removed from refrigerators for safety.
How do I get rid of an old propane tank or half-empty cans of paint?
Hazardous materials cannot be thrown in the regular garbage. You must hold onto these items and bring them to a S.T.O.P. (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) collection day at the Solid Waste Disposal Complex in Old Bethpage.