Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Poughkeepsie
New York municipal refuse is collected weekly on designated neighborhood days. Recycling is often collected on specific days depending on the borough or county.
State Mandate
Strictly separate e-waste. Electronics are banned from regular trash.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Sanitation fees are billed quarterly on March 15, May 15, August 15, and October 15; unpaid balances by mid-October are re-levied onto your annual city property tax bill.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
Discounts are available for property owners with an Enhanced STAR exemption ($62.50/quarter for single-family residences).
PKGO toter with Black Lid Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be placed inside plastic bags before going into the black-lidded PKGO toter. Place at the curb no earlier than 5:00 PM the night before pickup and space bins 3 feet apart with handles facing the home.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
PKGO toter with Blue Lid Bin (Recycling)
Items must be placed loosely in the blue-lidded toter. Do not use plastic bags. Rinse all food and beverage containers completely clean before recycling.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles and tubs
- ✓Metal and tin cans
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and junk mail
- ✓Flat and corrugated cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Scrap metal
- ✕Paper towels
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in biodegradable paper bags, a clean un-lidded garbage can, or tied into bundles. Place at the curb no earlier than 5:00 PM on Tuesday for Wednesday collection. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Garden debris
- ✓Brush and branches (under 3 inches thick, cut to 3-foot lengths)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By paid appointment or bi-annual free drop-off
Placement
For scheduled curbside service, items must not be placed out prior to the night before the scheduled pickup day. For the drop-off program, resident must accompany the load to the Transfer Station.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Carpets
- ✓ Bedding
- ✓ Major appliances (freon items require a $15 fee)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Propane tanks
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Yard debris mixed with bulk
Curbside pickups require a $35 baseline fee (waived for seniors 65+). Special surcharges apply: $15 for mattresses/freon units and $10 for tires.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Holidays generally delay service. Always check the official city holiday schedule, but keep in mind that if regular sanitation routes are bumped to a Wednesday, that week's yard debris pickup is completely suspended.
Yard Waste Exception
Suspended during any holiday week where standard trash and recycling routes overlap into Wednesday.
Any week featuring a holiday modifies the pickup schedule; call the DPW at 845-451-4111 if you are unsure of your specific adjusted day.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
April to MaySpring yard debris collection officially kicks off in April. Additionally, May marks the first of the two annual free bulk drop-off windows at the Howard Street Transfer Station for sanitation fee-paying residents.
Autumn
October to NovemberWednesday yard debris collection remains active through November, giving you ample time to clear fall leaves. Do not rake leaves directly into city streets; they must be bagged in biodegradable paper or placed in an open can.
Winter
December to MarchYard waste pickup officially halts after the first measurable snowfall. During severe weather, Poughkeepsie follows an inclement weather 'Rule of Thumb' delay: missed early week (Mon/Tue) pickups typically shift one day forward, while late week (Thu/Fri) pickups shift to the next week.
Local Tips & Community Info
City of Poughkeepsie Sanitation Overview
The Department of Public Works (DPW) manages municipal solid waste and recycling for residents within the City of Poughkeepsie. Unlike neighboring towns that might rely on private haulers, the city uses a standardized, municipally run collection program to ensure all neighborhoods receive consistent service. Maintaining street cleanliness heavily relies on following the local DPW schedules and taking personal responsibility for household waste management.
Utilizing Your PKGO Toters Correctly
Poughkeepsie issues specific PKGO branded toters to every eligible household. Black lids designate your regular household garbage, while blue lids indicate recycling. It is crucial to remember that all regular trash must be placed inside plastic garbage bags before being tossed into the black-lidded toter. The city enforces strict weight limits to protect workers and equipment: a 95-gallon bin must not exceed 335 pounds, and a 65-gallon cart has a maximum weight of 250 pounds.
Curbside Recycling Do's and Don'ts
Poughkeepsie actively promotes sustainability through its single-stream recycling program. In your blue-lidded cart, you can combine corrugated cardboard, junk mail, magazines, glass jars, tin cans, and plastic bottles. However, you must absolutely keep pizza boxes, Styrofoam, ceramics, and scrap metal out of this bin. Most importantly, do not bag your recyclables in plastic grocery bags—leave items loose to ensure they can be processed efficiently.
Strict Container Placement Timings
The municipal code establishes specific timeframes for when receptacles can sit on the curb. You are permitted to roll your cans out no earlier than 5:00 p.m. on the evening before your designated collection day. After the DPW trucks have serviced your street, all empty bins must be returned to the rear or side of your residence within 16 hours. Failing to follow these placement rules can result in official violation notices and monetary fines.
Weather Delays and the Holiday Rule of Thumb
Severe winter storms or municipal holidays occasionally interrupt the standard sanitation routes. Poughkeepsie utilizes a unique Rule of Thumb for weather-related missed pickups. If Monday or Tuesday collections are missed, they shift one day forward. Wednesday pickups generally remain unchanged. If a Thursday or Friday route is suspended, those collections will be moved to the beginning of the following week.
Electronics and Hazardous Waste Drop-Off
Items containing toxic chemicals or complex electronic components cannot be discarded at the curb. For old computers, televisions, and monitors, residents can utilize the electronics drop-off box located at the DPW facility at 26 Howard Street during normal weekday business hours. For household hazardous waste like paint thinners and pesticides, residents should look out for the annual collection days sponsored by the Dutchess County Resource Recovery Agency (DCRRA).
Drop-off Facilities
City of Poughkeepsie Transfer Station
26 Howard Street (End of Howard St. off Hudson Ave), Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time am I allowed to place my garbage bins at the curb?
The city ordinance states that residents cannot place their cans at the curb any earlier than 5:00 p.m. on the evening before their scheduled pickup day.
How do I get a replacement if my blue recycling cart breaks?
You will need to contact the Department of Public Works (DPW) directly at 845-451-4111. They can arrange for a replacement city-issued PKGO recycling toter.
Are plastic grocery bags allowed in the recycling bin?
Absolutely not. Plastic bags jam the sorting machinery at the materials recovery facility. All recyclables must be placed loosely in your blue-lidded toter.