Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Syracuse
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.
City-issued Trash Cart (Black/Dark Gray) Bin (Trash)
All trash MUST be bagged before going into the cart. Loose trash is a violation. Cart must be set out between 8:00 p.m. the night before and 6:00 a.m. the day of collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Soiled paper packaging
Blue Recycling Cart Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected bi-weekly (A-Week or B-Week). Items must be loose inside the cart. Do NOT bag recyclables. Set out between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Paper, flattened cardboard, and food boxes
- ✓Metal cans
- ✓Glass jars and bottles
- ✓Plastic bottles and tubs
- ✓Milk and juice jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Hazardous or toxic waste
- ✕Televisions and electronics
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Demolition waste
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste is picked up by quadrant schedule (April-October). Must be kept separate from trash and construction debris. Do not put yard waste in the street or block storm drains.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves (in paper bags only)
- ✓Small twigs and branches
- ✓Brush and limbs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Up to 4 times per calendar year
Placement
Place items in plain view at the curb between 8:00 p.m. the night before and 6:00 a.m. the morning of your scheduled pickup. Piles cannot exceed 2 cubic yards (approx. the size of a washer and dryer side-by-side) or 50 lbs per item.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (not entirely made of wood)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Carpets (must be cut into 3-foot rolls)
- ✓ Up to 4 tires per year
- ✓ Excess bagged trash
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions and electronics
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (must use quadrant days)
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Piles larger than 2 cubic yards
Your four annual pickups are free of charge. If your pile exceeds the strict 2 cubic yard limit, you may be issued a citation and a fine.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed holiday falls on a weekday, trash and bi-weekly recycling collections are typically delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Special quadrant pickups for yard waste or construction debris may be adjusted around holidays. Always refer to the annual City Services Guide calendar for exact dates.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, collection schedules usually remain unchanged, but residents should verify via Cityline.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MayQuadrant-based yard waste collection resumes in April. Alternatively, city residents can begin utilizing the DPW self-drop-off site at 1200 Canal St. Ext. for yard waste starting this season.
Autumn
September - NovemberDuring heavy leaf drop, ensure all leaves are placed securely in biodegradable paper bags. Raking leaves directly into the street is a violation, as it clogs the city's catch basins and causes localized flooding.
Winter
December - MarchCurbside yard waste and construction debris collections are suspended. Ensure your trash and recycling carts are placed on a cleared surface at the curb, free from snowbanks, so the automated truck arms can reach them.
Local Tips & Community Info
Syracuse Municipal Waste & Cart Guidelines
In Syracuse, the Department of Public Works (DPW) provides weekly garbage collection using standardized black carts. The city has transitioned to a modern cart-based system to keep neighborhoods clean and reduce urban litter. All household trash must be securely bagged before being placed inside the black cart, and the lid must be completely shut. If your cart is overflowing or the lid remains open, you risk receiving a sanitation violation. Place your cart at the curb between the sidewalk and the street, making sure to avoid blocking mailboxes or parked vehicles.
Bi-Weekly Recycling & The Blue Cart
Syracuse follows a bi-weekly recycling schedule, which is divided into an A-Week and B-Week rotation. To find out which week your property falls under, residents can consult the official DPW map or contact SYRCityline. When preparing recyclables for your blue cart, do not bag them—materials like flattened cardboard, glass bottles, and metal cans should be placed loosely inside. Plastic grocery bags and styrofoam are strictly prohibited. Remember that placing unacceptable items in the blue container can result in a fine and your cart being left at the curb unemptied.
Strict Curbside Set-Out Timings
The City of Syracuse enforces strict timeframes for when you can place your bins outside. Carts should be rolled to the curb no earlier than 6:00 p.m. the evening before your scheduled pickup. Once the DPW trucks have serviced your address, you have until 7:00 p.m. on your collection day to pull the empty carts back onto your property. Leaving bins out beyond this window is considered a municipal code violation and may result in financial penalties, as the city strives to keep sidewalks clear for pedestrians and street sweepers.
Scheduling Bulk Waste Pickups
Need to get rid of a broken couch or an old appliance? Syracuse residents are entitled to request up to four free bulk trash collections per calendar year. You cannot simply leave large items at the curb; you must arrange these pickups in advance. To schedule a bulk collection, dial 311 (or 315-448-CITY) to speak with SYRCityline at least a few days prior. Each scheduled pickup allows for up to two cubic yards of material. Hazardous materials and construction debris are not accepted through this service and require private disposal.
How Holidays Affect Sanitation Routes
Throughout the year, Syracuse recognizes major holidays that disrupt normal DPW operations. When a holiday such as Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, or Christmas falls on a weekday, garbage and recycling services are delayed by one full day for the rest of that week. For example, Monday collections will happen on Tuesday, and Friday collections will be pushed to Saturday. If the holiday occurs on a weekend, your weekday schedule usually remains unchanged. Residents are encouraged to check the city's official notices during holiday weeks to avoid missing a collection.
Drop-off Facilities
City of Syracuse DPW Yard Waste Drop-Off
1200 Canal St. Ext., Syracuse, NY 13210
Materials Accepted
OCRRA Ley Creek Transfer Station
5158 Ley Creek Dr, Liverpool, NY 13088
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the earliest I can put my trash cart out in Syracuse?
You may place your black trash cart and blue recycling cart at the curb no earlier than 6:00 p.m. the night before your collection day.
How often is recycling collected in the City of Syracuse?
The city collects recycling on a bi-weekly basis, operating on an alternating A-Week and B-Week schedule depending on your neighborhood.
How many bulk item pickups do Syracuse residents get?
Residents are allowed to schedule up to four bulk item collections per calendar year by contacting SYRCityline at 311 or 315-448-CITY.