Official 'City of Utica Blue Bags' (Can be placed in standard cans) Bin (Trash)
All trash MUST be contained in official City of Utica Blue Bags. Max 10 bags per single-family home per week. Cans holding the bags cannot exceed 35 gallons or 50 lbs. Set out between 5 PM and 11 PM the night before collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Normal household garbage
- ✓Food packaging
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
Orange Bin or container with 'RecycleOne' decal Bin (Recycling)
Single-stream program. All items must be placed loosely in the bin—never in plastic bags. Ensure containers are clean and dry.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Metal food and beverage cans
- ✓Mixed paper and flattened cardboard
- ✓Beverage cartons (milk, juice)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Hardcover books
- ✕Napkins and tissue paper
- ✕Paper plates
- ✕Construction paper
Yard Waste Bin
Summer (June-Sept): Must be in 32-gallon barrels (max 50 lbs, max 5 barrels). Spring/Fall: Bulk uncontainerized piles allowed based on schedule. NO trees, stumps, logs, or plastic plant pots.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Weeds and flowers
- ✓Bundled limbs and branches (max 4 feet long)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (Limit of 1 item per week)
Placement
Place your one bulk item between the sidewalk and curb between 5:00 PM and 11:00 PM the night before your scheduled collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, dressers, large chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large appliances (washers, refrigerators)
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, computers, game consoles)
- ✓ Room-size rugs (rolled and tied, under 6 feet)
- ✓ Up to 2 car tires per week
Not Accepted
- ✕ 55-Gallon drums
- ✕ Pianos
- ✕ Safes
- ✕ Propane tanks and oil tanks
- ✕ Large trees and stumps
The single weekly bulk item is included in standard municipal services. Prohibited items like propane tanks and oil tanks must be taken to the OHSWA Convenience Station and will incur a fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a holiday falls on a weekday, garbage and recycling collections are generally delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the adjusted holiday refuse schedule when in season, but residents should note that major fall and winter holidays typically mark the suspension of green waste programs.
Utica occasionally maintains normal routes on specific holidays (such as Thanksgiving for certain years). Always check the OHSWA website for specific week-of holiday alerts.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Do Not Bag Recyclables
Never place your recyclables inside plastic grocery bags. Keep all bottles, cans, and paper loose in your orange RecycleOne container to prevent sorting machinery jams at the OHSWA facility.
Keep Green Waste Pure
The DPW will leave your green waste at the curb if it contains any foreign matter. Ensure yard debris is completely unmixed with stones, bricks, plastic flower pots, dirt, or household garbage.
Exclude Certain Paper Products
While mixed paper is highly recyclable, Utica's guidelines specifically prohibit tissue paper, napkins, paper plates, and hardcover books from being placed in the recycling bin. These must be placed in a Blue Bag.
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MayThe DPW permits uncontainerized bulk green waste piles at the curb. Refer to the city's specific neighborhood rotation schedule to know when bulk collection operates in your zone.
Summer
June - SeptemberBulk yard waste piles are strictly cited as code violations. All grass clippings, weeds, and leaves must be containerized in open 32-gallon barrels weighing 50 pounds or less.
Autumn
October - NovemberBulk uncontainerized green waste pile collection resumes. However, after the final designated pickup week in late November, you must stop placing bulk yard waste at the curb.
About Utica Waste Management
The Mandatory 'Blue Bag' System
The City of Utica utilizes a localized pay-as-you-throw system requiring all standard household garbage to be disposed of in official 'City of Utica Blue Bags.' These specialized bags must be purchased from local vendors, ensuring that the cost of waste disposal is equitably distributed based on volume. Single-family homes are permitted a generous limit of up to 10 Blue Bags per week. To protect against wildlife, residents are encouraged to place these Blue Bags inside durable metal or plastic trash cans (under 35 gallons) when setting them out at the curb.
Exceptional Curbside E-Waste Collection
While the vast majority of New York municipalities strictly ban electronic waste from curbside pickup, Utica offers a highly unique and convenient exception. Through coordination with the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority (OHSWA), residents are explicitly permitted to place e-waste—including televisions, computer monitors, and video game consoles—at the curb as their one allotted bulk item for the week. A specialized municipal truck collects these electronics for legal, environmentally sound recycling.
The RecycleOne Single-Stream Program
Utica participates in OHSWA's 'RecycleOne' program, which allows all acceptable recyclables to be commingled in a single container. Residents must use either an orange recycling bin or a personal container prominently displaying a free 'RecycleOne' decal. While plastics, glass, and metals are accepted alongside mixed paper and cardboard, the city actively strictly bans items like hardcover books, tissue paper, and construction paper from the recycling stream.
Seasonal Shifts for Yard Debris
Utica's Department of Public Works enforces stringent seasonal regulations for green waste. During the brief 'Spring Cleanup' (April to late May) and 'Fall Cleanup' (October to late November) periods, residents may place bulk, uncontainerized piles of green waste at the curb according to a rotating neighborhood schedule. However, from June through September, bulk piles are strictly prohibited and will result in a citation; all yard waste during summer must be containerized in 32-gallon barrels weighing no more than 50 pounds.
The EcoDrop Utica Facility
For hazardous materials, wet paint, and items that simply cannot go in a Blue Bag, Utica residents benefit from localized access to the EcoDrop facility on Sewage Plant Road. Operated by OHSWA, this site serves as a year-round drop-off location for household hazardous waste, bulky rigid plastics, and excess recyclable materials, ensuring toxic substances stay out of the regional landfill.
Drop-off Facilities
EcoDrop Utica (Household Hazardous Waste & Recycling)
824 Sewage Plant Road, Utica, NY 13502
Materials Accepted
Eastern Transfer Station
824 Sewage Plant Road, Utica, NY 13502
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Blue Bags mandatory for all trash in Utica?
Yes, the City of Utica strictly enforces a pay-as-you-throw system. All normal household garbage must be placed inside official 'City of Utica Blue Bags', which can then be placed inside a regular trash can at the curb to protect against animals.
How do I throw away a television or old laptop?
Unlike most cities, Utica allows residents to place electronic waste—including televisions, computers, and monitors—at the curb as their one permitted weekly bulk item. The city collects these electronics for proper recycling.
What is the rule for green waste in the summer?
From June through September, bulk yard waste piles are illegal. All grass clippings, weeds, and leaves must be placed in open 32-gallon barrels (weighing no more than 50 pounds) or properly bundled with twine.
When can I place my garbage and recycling at the curb?
City code mandates that all garbage, recycling, and bulk items must be set out strictly between 5:00 PM and 11:00 PM on the night before your scheduled collection day. Empty cans must be removed the following day.