Any standard color (Resident-provided) Bin (Trash)
Use containers max 32-gallons in size. Max weight is 50 lbs per container/bag. Limit of 250 lbs per week. Place out after 7 PM the night before collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Paper wrappers
- ✓Rags
- ✓Other standard burnable household refuse
Village-provided recycling container Bin (Recycling)
Glass, plastics, and metals must be rinsed clean with caps removed. Paper and cardboard must be broken down and tied in bundles not exceeding 35 lbs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers (#1 and #2)
- ✓Aluminum and metal cans
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and paper (tied/bundled separately)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Plastic utensils and toys
- ✕Mirrors and window glass
- ✕Ceramics and china
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Branches must be cut, tied, and bundled (max 4 feet long, max 75 lbs). Leaves and grass must be in appropriate containers or yard waste bags. Do not rake leaves into the street.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Hedge and bush trimmings
- ✓Small branches and twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once per week on designated 'Non-Burnable Collection' day
Placement
Place items at the curb after 7:00 PM the night before your non-burnable collection. Wood and rugs must be cut, tied, and bundled, not exceeding 4 feet in length or 75 pounds.
Accepted
- ✓ Tires (rims removed)
- ✓ Bicycles
- ✓ Lawn furniture
- ✓ Empty, dried-out paint cans
- ✓ Small metal items
- ✓ Rugs and padding (cut to 4 ft, tied)
- ✓ Wood with nails removed (cut to 4 ft, tied)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and chemicals
- ✕ Wet oil-based paint
- ✕ Medical waste
- ✕ Large quantities of construction dirt or concrete
- ✕ Freon-containing appliances (requires special handling)
Standard bulk collection is included in village services. However, excessive construction debris or unauthorized commercial waste may require private disposal.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Garbage collections are suspended on major holidays. Service is typically shifted to the next regular business day or handled as specified in the yearly Village Sanitation Schedule.
Yard Waste Exception
During holiday weeks, yard waste and non-burnable collections may be suspended or pushed back to accommodate the shifted garbage schedule.
Residents should consult the annual mailing from the Valley Stream Department of Public Works for exact alternate pickup dates during holiday weeks.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep the Caps Off
When recycling glass bottles or plastic jugs in Valley Stream, remember to remove all caps and lids. Only the rinsed containers should go into your Village-provided recycling bin.
Bundle Your Paper Perfectly
Don't just toss loose paper or cardboard into your recycling bin. Corrugated boxes and newspapers must be broken down and tied securely in bundles under 35 pounds, then placed next to your recycling bin.
Skip the Wire for Yard Waste
When bundling branches and limbs for your weekly yard waste pickup, never use metal wire or plastic bindings. Use natural twine, and ensure the bundle is no larger than 4 feet long and 75 pounds.
Seasonal Information
Autumn
October to DecemberDuring the heavy autumn leaf drop, keep leaves out of the street to prevent flooding in local storm drains. All leaves must be bagged or placed in open containers for your scheduled weekly yard waste collection.
Spring
April to JuneSpring cleaning often uncovers hidden hazardous waste. Keep an eye out for the Town of Hempstead S.T.O.P. events (frequently held at Valley Stream State Park) to safely dispose of old oil-based paints, pesticides, and pool chemicals.
About Valley Stream Waste Management
Complete Guide to Valley Stream Sanitation & Trash Schedules
Navigating the waste management guidelines in the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream is essential for keeping Nassau County beautiful and environmentally safe. The Village's Department of Public Works (DPW) provides robust, multi-day curbside service for residential garbage, ensuring that food waste and standard household refuse are cleared frequently. Knowing your specific weekly schedule—which breaks down pickups by burnable garbage, non-burnable bulk items, and yard waste—helps maintain clean streets and avoids municipal citations.
Strict Curbside Container & Weight Limits
Unlike some Long Island municipalities that use automated mechanical arms for collection, Valley Stream sanitation crews manually load waste. To protect worker safety, the Village enforces strict container regulations. Residents must use garbage receptacles no larger than 32 gallons in capacity, and no single bin or securely tied bag may weigh more than 50 pounds. Furthermore, each household is capped at a maximum limit of 250 pounds of garbage per week. Cans and bags should be placed at the curb no earlier than 7:00 PM the night before your scheduled collection.
Weekly Non-Burnable Bulk Collection
Rather than requiring residents to schedule appointments for every large item, Valley Stream simplifies the process by designating one day a week for 'Non-Burnable Collection.' This weekly pickup is specifically designed for items that cannot be incinerated or processed as standard trash, such as bicycles, old lawn furniture, dried-out paint cans, small metal appliances, and rolled rugs. For heavy materials like wood or carpets, they must be cut down, tied, and bundled in lengths no greater than four feet and weighing no more than 75 pounds.
Hazardous Waste & The S.T.O.P. Program
Because preserving Long Island’s delicate groundwater ecosystem is a top priority, the Village of Valley Stream prohibits the disposal of hazardous materials in regular curbside trash. Instead, residents can participate in the Town of Hempstead's S.T.O.P. (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) events. Frequently hosted at nearby locations like Valley Stream State Park, these weekend drop-off events allow homeowners to safely discard antifreeze, pesticides, oil-based paints, and strong household cleaners completely free of charge.
Navigating Yard Waste and Composting
Maintaining a pristine lawn during the New York spring and summer means generating plenty of green waste. Valley Stream collects yard waste—including grass clippings, leaves, and hedge trimmings—once a week. The DPW mandates that all branches and tree limbs be meticulously cut, tied, and bundled. They cannot exceed 4 feet in length or 75 pounds per bundle, making it manageable for crews to transport them to designated composting facilities.
Drop-off Facilities
Town of Hempstead Homeowner Disposal Area
1600 Merrick Road, Merrick, NY 11566
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How much garbage can I put out per week in Valley Stream?
Residents are limited to a maximum of 250 pounds of garbage per week. Each individual container or bag must not exceed 32 gallons in size or weigh more than 50 pounds to protect the sanitation workers.
Where can I safely dispose of hazardous chemicals and wet paint?
Hazardous household materials like antifreeze, drain cleaners, pesticides, and oil-based paints cannot go in the regular trash. You must bring them to a Town of Hempstead S.T.O.P. (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) event, which is periodically held at local spots like Valley Stream State Park.
Are there special rules for disposing of wood, carpeting, or rugs?
Yes. For your weekly non-burnable collection day, all wood must have its nails removed. Wood, rugs, and padding must be cut down, tied securely, and bundled. Bundles cannot exceed 4 feet in length or 75 pounds in weight.
What should I do if my official recycling bin is damaged or stolen?
If your Village-provided recycling container is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can obtain a replacement from the Department of Public Works. An appropriate fee may apply. The Village also recommends permanently marking your street address on your bin in white marker to prevent theft.