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
!Contamination Tips
Yard Waste Cans Only
The Town of Union has a strict zero-bag policy for grass clippings and leaves. Do not use plastic or biodegradable paper yard bags, and do not use cardboard boxes. All loose organic matter must go into a rigid 33-gallon trash can.
Keep Auto Parts Out
Sanitation crews will not collect automotive parts or tires with your weekly garbage or bulk pickup. Tires must be taken to the Broome County Landfill or a designated tire disposal event, not left at the curb.
Use Paper Bags for Extra Recycling
If your town-issued recycling bin is full, do not load the excess into a plastic garbage bag or a cardboard box. The town requires overflow recycling to be placed strictly in brown paper bags.
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.
About Union Waste Management
Municipal Refuse Services in the Town of Union
The Town of Union Environmental Services department operates a comprehensive municipal waste collection system for its residents. Standard refuse and single-stream recycling are collected four days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday), leaving Wednesdays open for dedicated seasonal yard waste pickups. Residents are permitted to place up to six 33-gallon garbage cans out per parcel, providing ample capacity for typical household waste without the need for large, unwieldy automated carts.
Navigating Broome County Recycling Guidelines
Union residents must adhere to the broader Broome County recycling regulations. The town provides a free recycling bin to each household, which can be picked up at the Scarborough Drive location. If you generate more recyclables than your bin can hold, the town allows you to place the overflow in brown paper bags—clearly labeled for recycling—next to your primary container. It is critical to have all materials placed out by 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection morning.
The Unique Wednesday Holiday Shift Rule
Unlike many municipalities that push their entire collection schedule forward by a day after a holiday, the Town of Union employs a unique 'Wednesday Shift' method. If a town-observed holiday falls on your normal Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday collection day, your trash and recycling will automatically be collected on Wednesday of that week instead. Consequently, there is no yard waste collection on weeks containing a major holiday.
Strict 'No Bags' Policy for Grass and Leaves
Managing organic debris requires strict adherence to town codes. From early April through early December, Wednesday yard waste collections handle grass clippings and leaves. However, the town strictly prohibits the use of plastic bags, paper yard bags, or cardboard boxes for this material. All grass and leaves must be placed loosely into standard garbage cans (no larger than 33 gallons and no heavier than 50 pounds).
Utilizing the Scarborough Drive Dump
For items that cannot be collected curbside, or for urgent disposal needs, the town operates a drop-off facility located on Scarborough Drive in Endwell. The facility accepts computer monitors and televisions at no charge, ensuring e-waste is kept out of local landfills. Appliances can also be dropped off for a $15 fee, or residents can call the Environmental Services office to arrange a direct pickup for large white goods.
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
Can I use plastic garbage bags for my grass clippings and leaves?
No. The Town of Union has a strict rule against using any type of bag or cardboard box for yard waste. Grass clippings and leaves must be placed directly into a standard garbage can no larger than 33 gallons.
What happens if a holiday falls on my normal trash day?
If a town-observed holiday falls on your collection day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday), your pickup will be rescheduled to Wednesday of that week. Yard waste collection is canceled for the entire week.
How do I throw away an old couch or mattress?
Standard bulk items like furniture, bedding, and mattresses can simply be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your regular refuse collection day without needing an appointment.
How do I get rid of an old refrigerator?
White goods and appliances require a special pickup. You must call the Environmental Services office at (607) 786-2980 to request a pickup. By state law, you must remove all doors from refrigerators and freezers before placing them outside.