Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Rochester
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood route.
Recycling
Collected every other week on the same day as your regular trash collection (following the city's Blue or Green week calendar).
Yard Waste
Collected on your regular refuse collection day (bundled tree and hedge trimmings placed curbside).
Set Out Time
By 6:30 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Standard residential refuse collection fees for 1-to-3 family homes are billed annually directly on your City property tax bill rather than on monthly utility statements.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Personal Bank Bill-Pay, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Property tax exemptions (including Senior Citizen, Enhanced STAR, Veterans, and Disability exemptions) can reduce overall property tax costs. Additionally, curbside cart-pulling assistance exemptions are available for individuals with physical disabilities by calling 311.
Green 96-gallon wheeled toter Bin (Trash)
Place at the curb by 6:30 a.m. on collection day. Overflow must be in sturdy bags or rigid cans next to the toter, not exceeding 60 pounds per container.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Styrofoam
Blue wheeled toter Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected every other week on your designated trash day. Rinse all containers. Do not bag recyclables in plastic.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Metal cans and aluminum foilware
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, jars, and tubs
- ✓Milk, juice, and soup cartons (gable-top and aseptic)
- ✓Newspaper, magazines, and flattened cardboard
- ✓Shredded paper (only if inside a sealed paper bag)
- ✓Defaced license plates
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Single-use plastic cups
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Food-soiled materials
Yard Waste Bin
Wood, branches, and hedges must be tied with string or twine into bundles no longer than 4 feet, no wider than 18 inches, and weighing no more than 60 pounds. Nails must be removed from lumber.
Accepted Items
- ✓Small amounts of grass and leaves (in refuse toter)
- ✓Loose wood
- ✓Trees, bushes, and hedges
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (Occasional basis on regular refuse day)
Placement
Place items on the curb lawn, not blocking sidewalks or pedestrian paths. If you have on-property collection, items must still be brought out to the curb lawn unless a paved area accommodates the truck.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large household appliances (doors removed)
- ✓ Excess bagged garbage (under 60 lbs per bag)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Contractor-generated construction debris
- ✕ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Hazardous materials and wet paint
- ✕ Tires generated from commercial businesses
Occasional bulk collection is free. However, excessive amounts requiring a specialized boom truck, or waste involving appliances like refrigerators (Freon), may incur specific handling fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a designated holiday falls on a weekday, refuse and recycling collections for that day and the remainder of the week are shifted and delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Special bulk or boom truck appointments may face scheduling delays during holiday weeks.
Always refer to the printed tear-off calendar mailed by the city or check the online collection map to confirm holiday adjustments.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring & Summer
April - SeptemberFor major spring landscaping or yard overhauls, do not pile massive amounts of unbundled brush at the curb, as it will be tagged as a violation. Instead, call (585) 428-6928 to arrange for a boom truck pickup for a reasonable fee.
Autumn
October - NovemberThe city conducts an extensive fall leaf collection program. Be sure to check the municipal schedule for your neighborhood's designated leaf pickup weeks, and avoid raking leaves into the street outside of those specific windows to prevent storm drain blockages.
Winter
December - MarchHeavy snowfall can bury your green and blue toters. Ensure your bins are shoveled out and clearly visible from the street by 6:30 a.m. Do not place bins on top of snowbanks where they can tip over or interfere with snow plowing operations.
Local Tips & Community Info
Rochester Residential Trash & Recycling Overview
Keeping our neighborhoods clean is a top priority for the City of Rochester Department of Environmental Services (DES). For standard residential households, municipal refuse collection takes place once a week, while recycling is collected on an alternating, every-other-week schedule. The city supplies each home with a durable 96-gallon wheeled container to make waste disposal as straightforward as possible. If your household regularly generates more waste than the cart can hold, you are permitted to place additional garbage bags or standard trash cans next to your wheeled cart at the curb without incurring an immediate penalty.
Proper Bin Placement & Timing Guidelines
To guarantee your trash and recycling are serviced without interruption, all materials must be accessible at the curb by 6:30 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day. It is generally recommended to place your bins out the night before. Ensure the lids are fully closed to prevent litter from blowing into the street. If you are physically unable to roll your wheeled container to the curb, the City of Rochester offers a curbside exemption program. You can request an evaluation for this special assistance by contacting the city's helpful 311 call center.
Holiday Pickup Delays
Throughout the year, certain major holidays will impact the normal sanitation schedule. If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, all refuse and recycling collection will be pushed back by exactly one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Monday routes are serviced on Tuesday). The city adjusts its operations for New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If a holiday falls on a weekend, your standard weekday schedule generally remains unaffected.
Bulk Waste & Yard Debris Rules
Rochester residents enjoy the convenient perk of free curbside bulk waste collection. Heavy household items such as discarded mattresses, old furniture, and large non-freon appliances can be placed right at the curb alongside your regular trash on your designated collection day. Yard debris follows slightly different guidelines: small amounts of grass clippings or leaves should be placed directly into your refuse receptacle, and branches must be properly bundled. If you are clearing out a large lot or undertaking a massive landscaping project, you must request a special roll-off container or a boom truck pickup for an additional, reasonable fee.
On-Demand Services & Missed Pickups
Are you remodeling a room or moving out of an apartment? The city offers an On-Demand special pickup service to handle excessive amounts of refuse that cannot wait for your normal scheduled day. To arrange this service, or to report a missed weekly pickup, simply dial 311. If you are calling from outside the city limits, you can reach the department at (585) 428-5990. Promptly reporting a missed collection ensures a sanitation crew can return to your neighborhood quickly.
Drop-off Facilities
Monroe County ecopark
10 Avion Drive, Rochester, NY 14624
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should I put my trash bins out in Rochester, NY?
All trash and recycling containers must be placed at the curb no later than 6:30 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. Setting them out the evening before is highly recommended.
How often does the city collect recycling?
While regular household refuse is picked up every week, the City of Rochester collects residential recycling every other week. You can check the city's official route map to confirm your recycling week.
Does Rochester pick up bulk items like mattresses for free?
Yes. Most residential bulk items, including mattresses and standard furniture, can be placed at the curb on your normal refuse day for pickup at no extra charge.