Any standard trash can with a secure lid Bin (Trash)
Containers must not exceed 32 gallons or weigh more than 50 pounds. Lids must be secured (e.g., with bungee cords). Place at the curb by 7:00 a.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Routine household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Broken glass (must be boxed and labeled)
Town-issued or labeled recycling can Bin (Recycling)
Dual stream: Paper/Cardboard alternates weeks with Plastic/Metal/Glass. Items must be loose in the can. Do not use plastic bags for recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean glass bottles and jars
- ✓Metal cans
- ✓Plastic containers
- ✓Newspaper and copy paper
- ✓Flattened corrugated cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Waxed or metallic paper
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Soiled paper or pizza boxes
- ✕Milk and juice cartons
Yard Waste Bin
Branches must be tied in bundles no longer than 6 feet and piles no higher than 5 feet. Grass clippings are strictly prohibited from collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves (in bags)
- ✓Tree branches
- ✓Brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By Appointment Only
Placement
Place scheduled bulk items at the curb securely. Large appliances (refrigerators, washers) require a separate call to the town at (631) 269-4548.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, chairs, dressers)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Carpeting (cut and rolled in 4-foot lengths)
- ✓ Fencing (cut and tied in 2x2x4 bundles)
- ✓ Large mirrors and plate glass
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (e.g., sheetrock, roofing)
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Tree stumps
- ✕ Commercial property clearing debris
Standard household bulk pickups are included in town services when scheduled. C&D debris must be hauled to the MSF and incurs a fee of $20 minimum (or 10 cents per pound over 200 lbs).
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Holiday schedules depend heavily on your specific carter district and whether your standard pickup is Mon/Thu or Tue/Fri. Collections may be skipped or delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Highway Department brush and leaf collections may pause during winter holidays to prioritize municipal snow and ice control.
Because collection districts vary, residents must check the annual Refuse and Recycling Calendar mailed to their home for exact holiday makeup dates.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Box Up Broken Glass
Never throw loose broken glass into a garbage bag, as it poses a severe laceration hazard to carter employees. All broken glass must be placed inside a cardboard box, securely taped shut, and clearly labeled 'BROKEN GLASS' before being placed with your trash.
Keep Cartons Out of Recycling
It is a common misconception that waxy milk, juice, and egg cartons belong in the paper recycling stream. In Smithtown, these items are considered non-recyclable contaminants and must be disposed of in your regular household garbage.
Separate Bamboo from Brush
Because bamboo is considered a highly invasive and fibrous plant, the Smithtown Highway Department requires that it be completely separated from all other yard waste and brush piles at the curb to ensure proper disposal.
Seasonal Information
Spring/Summer
April - SeptemberRemember that grass clippings are banned from town collection. Use a mulching mower to return the clippings to your lawn to retain moisture and nutrients, or start a backyard compost pile.
Autumn
October - DecemberThe Highway Department conducts heavy leaf pickups. Do not rake or blow leaves into the street where they can clog storm drains. All leaves must be bagged and placed on the curb edge.
Winter
December - MarchDuring snow events, keep your garbage cans and recycling bins out of the roadway so town plows can safely clear the streets. The Highway Department is responsible for snow control and will not collect stumps or large clearing debris.
About Smithtown Waste Management
Navigating Smithtown's 12 Collection Districts
The Town of Smithtown is divided into 12 distinct solid waste collection districts, each serviced by specific town-contracted private carters such as Winters Bros, Brothers Waste, and Garofalo Carting. Depending on your neighborhood, your standard household garbage will be picked up twice a week, either on a Monday and Thursday schedule or a Tuesday and Friday schedule. There is no limit to the number of cans you can place at the curb, provided each container does not exceed 32 gallons in size or 50 pounds in weight.
Wednesdays Are for Dual-Stream Recycling
Regardless of your standard garbage days, Wednesdays in Smithtown are universally reserved for curbside recycling. The town enforces a strict dual-stream system, meaning residents must alternate weeks between setting out paper and cardboard one Wednesday, and commingled plastics, metal, and glass the next. To prevent damage to the sorting equipment at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), all recyclables must be placed loosely in your bin rather than bagged in plastic.
Mandatory Appointments for Bulk and Appliances
In Smithtown, bulk items like furniture and mattresses are never collected alongside regular household trash. Residents must proactively call their specific district's carter to schedule a curbside bulk pickup. However, for large household appliances (white goods) and electronics, the protocol is different: residents must call the Smithtown Parks Department/Recycling division at (631) 269-4548 to arrange for collection, or transport the items directly to the Municipal Services Facility.
Highway Department Yard Waste Rules
Unlike typical municipal waste programs, Smithtown's yard waste is collected by the Highway Department rather than the garbage carters. A highly unique rule in Smithtown is that grass clippings are strictly prohibited from curbside pickup—residents are required to mulch grass back into their lawns or compost it on-site. When preparing brush, branches must be tied neatly, cut no longer than 6 feet in length, and stacked no higher than 5 feet. Surprisingly, due to specific town disposal protocols, leaves are one of the few yard waste items permitted to be set out in plastic bags.
The Municipal Services Facility (MSF) in Kings Park
For disposal needs beyond curbside service, the Municipal Services Facility (MSF) located at 85 Old Northport Road is Smithtown's primary drop-off center. Open Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., the MSF accepts consumer electronics for free to comply with New York State recycling laws. Homeowners undertaking DIY renovations can also drop off construction and demolition debris, such as roofing materials and treated lumber, for a weight-based fee.
Drop-off Facilities
Smithtown Municipal Services Facility (MSF)
85 Old Northport Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of an old couch or mattress in Smithtown?
Bulk items like couches and mattresses are not picked up with your regular twice-weekly garbage. You must call your district's designated private carter to schedule a special bulk pickup at the curb.
Where can I dispose of my old television or computer?
New York State law prohibits electronics in household garbage. You can call Smithtown Recycling at (631) 269-4548 to arrange an e-waste pickup, or drop off your electronics for free at the Municipal Services Facility (MSF) in Kings Park.
Will the town pick up my grass clippings?
No. The Town of Smithtown Highway Department strictly prohibits the curbside collection of grass clippings. Residents are advised to mulch grass clippings back into their lawns or utilize a backyard compost pile.
Can I put my recycling in plastic grocery bags?
No. All recyclables must be placed loosely into your recycling can. Plastic bags can severely damage the sorting equipment at the Materials Recovery Facility and will cause your bin to be left at the curb.