Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Union
Trash Day
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday (varies by neighborhood zone; Wednesdays are reserved for holiday makeup routes)
Recycling
Weekly on the same designated day as your trash collection
Yard Waste
Weekly on your scheduled collection day from April through early December
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Refuse and recycling services are financed through a user fee included directly on your annual property tax bill, whereas municipal water and sewer are billed separately.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Property Tax Bill / Escrow, Online, Mail, In Person
Any standard can Bin (Trash)
Residents must use standard garbage cans (maximum 33 gallons) with handles and unattached lids. The limit is six cans per parcel, and no individual can may weigh more than 50 pounds. Place behind the curb by 6:00 a.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
Town-issued bin Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed in the town-provided container. Overflow recyclables can be placed in brown paper bags next to the bin. Do not put recyclables in plastic grocery bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Metal cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Clean cardboard and paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Hazardous waste
Yard Waste Bin
Grass and leaves MUST be in garbage cans (max 33 gal/50 lbs). No bags or cardboard boxes are allowed. Brush must be tied and bundled. There is a maximum limit of six cans/bundles per pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush (under 2 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (concurrent with regular trash) or by appointment
Placement
Place bulk items behind the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection day. For white goods like refrigerators, state law mandates all doors be completely removed before placing them outside.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture
- ✓ Bedding and mattresses
- ✓ Carpeting (tied in bundles max 6 ft / 50 lbs)
- ✓ White goods (by request only)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Furnaces
- ✕ Auto parts
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Televisions (must be dropped off)
There is no extra fee for standard bulk items at the curb. Appliances dropped off at Scarborough Drive incur a $15 fee; call (607) 786-2980 to coordinate curbside appliance removal.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a town-observed holiday falls on your collection day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday), your refuse and recycling will be collected on Wednesday of that week instead.
Yard Waste Exception
When a holiday triggers a schedule shift to Wednesday, there will be no yard waste collection for the entire town during that week.
Always refer to the official Town of Union Holiday Refuse Schedule to confirm exact dates.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MayThe dedicated Wednesday yard waste collection season officially begins the first week of April. Ensure your brush is bundled securely and your grass is loaded into standard cans without bags.
Summer
June - AugustDuring peak lawn care season, remember the strict six-item limit for yard waste (a combination of cans and brush bundles). The town encourages 'grasscycling'—leaving clippings on your lawn to return nutrients to the soil.
Fall
October - DecemberYard waste collection concludes for the year in early December. Any leaves generated after this date must be composted on your property or saved for the spring collection.
Local Tips & Community Info
Garbage Collection Operations in Union
Routine refuse and recycling operations in the Town of Union operate four days a week: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. To ensure timely service, local sanitation crews hit the streets early. The department mandates that residents must place all household materials out before 6:00 AM on their scheduled route day to avoid missed pickups.
Financing Solid Waste Services
Unlike some municipalities that rely on a complicated pay-per-bag model or private subscriptions, Union finances its residential refuse collection through a consolidated user fee. This charge is conveniently integrated directly into your annual property tax bill, meaning homeowners do not have to worry about tracking separate monthly invoices for basic neighborhood garbage removal.
Supplying Your Curbside Recycling Bin
The municipality takes recycling seriously and supports sustainable neighborhood practices by providing one recycling container to each refuse customer at absolutely no charge. If you are a new resident or simply need a replacement bin due to weather damage, these containers can easily be acquired by visiting the Scarborough Drive location during standard operational hours.
Rules for Proper Street Placement
Keeping streets clear and safe for motorists is a top town priority. Property owners are instructed to place their garbage bags and recycling receptacles strictly behind the curb line. Keeping solid waste containers completely off the immediate roadway helps prevent daily traffic hazards, avoids blocking snowplows in the winter months, and ensures smooth operation of neighborhood street sweepers.
Yard Waste Regulations Without Extra Fees
Seasonal property maintenance produces a lot of organic material, but the Town of Union makes disposal quite simple for local families. Leaves, brush, and standard yard waste are collected routinely by municipal trucks. The most beneficial aspect of this program is that there are no additional fees attached to yard waste removal.
Avoiding Service Disruptions and Holiday Delays
Recognizing national holidays is standard practice for the sanitation division. When a major Town-observed holiday conflicts with your regularly scheduled pickup day, collection routes are generally delayed. Households should refer to the official town calendar or call the refuse hotline for specific routing shift details so carts aren't left outside unnecessarily for multiple days.
Drop-off Facilities
Scarborough Drive Dump Facility
Scarborough Drive (Contact office at 3111 E. Main St, Endwell for details)
Materials Accepted
Broome County Hazardous Waste Facility
286 Knapp Rd, Binghamton, NY 13905
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need to put my trash out for collection?
Please ensure all garbage and recycling containers are placed securely behind the curb by 6:00 AM on your assigned collection day.
Does the Town of Union charge an extra fee for collecting leaves and yard debris?
No, residential yard waste collection is provided to community members without any separate or additional fees applied.
Where can I obtain a new blue recycling bin if mine is broken?
The town provides recycling containers at no charge to refuse customers, and they can be conveniently picked up in person at the Scarborough Drive facility.