City-issued Tote (varies by size) or Resident-provided Bag Bin (Trash)
Use an official $5 Blue Refuse Sticker for a resident-provided bag (max 40 lbs, 32 gallons, no contractor bags), or rent a City Refuse Tote. Place at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓General household solid waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste
Resident-provided bin or City-issued Recycling Tote Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is mandatory but is only collected if you actively participate in the City's refuse program (meaning you use a tote or set out a stickered bag at least once every six weeks).
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Rigid plastic containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Hazardous waste
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Food waste
Yard Waste Bin
Place at the curb by 7:00 a.m. the business day BEFORE your normal trash pickup. Branches must be bundled (< 5 ft long, < 18 inches thick). Leaves/grass must be in paper bags or rigid 40 lb containers. NO plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush and tree limbs (max 4 inches diameter)
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Weeds and yard plants
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On Demand (Seasonal from April through October)
Placement
Place approved bulk items neatly at the curb only after successfully scheduling your pickup and confirming the price with the DPW.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large household appliances
- ✓ Typical bulky household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tires and vehicle batteries
- ✕ Blankets, pillows, and clothing
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Paints and solvents
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
Prices vary based on size and weight. DPW staff will provide an estimate or conduct a brief site visit to calculate your final collection costs before hauling.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, refuse and recycling collection may be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Because yard waste is collected the business day prior to normal trash collection, holiday delays will shift your yard waste day accordingly. Always check the DPW schedule during holiday weeks.
Refuse and Recycling must always be at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your designated pick-up day, regardless of holiday shifts.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Skip the Heavy Contractor Bags
Even if you purchase a Blue Refuse Sticker, the City of Watertown will not collect oversized contractor bags. Ensure your trash is placed in standard 32-gallon bags weighing less than 40 pounds to ensure safe lifting for DPW workers.
Plastic Bags Ruin Green Waste
Never use plastic trash bags for your seasonal leaves or grass clippings. Yard waste must be placed in compostable paper lawn bags or reusable rigid containers. Any green waste in plastic bags will be flagged as contaminated and left at the curb.
No Bedding or Clothes in Bulk Trash
When scheduling an On-Demand Bulk Pickup, remember that soft goods like blankets, pillows, sheets, and everyday clothing are explicitly prohibited from bulk collection. Donate textiles to local charities or place them in your standard stickered trash bag.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to MarchWatertown's heavy lake-effect snowfalls require clear roads for plowing. Keep your refuse totes and stickered bags safely out of the street and sidewalks to prevent them from being buried, damaged, or knocked over by passing snowplows.
Spring/Summer
April to SeptemberThe city's Seasonal Brush and Green Waste collection officially kicks off in early April, along with On-Demand Bulk pickups. Remember to place your yard waste out the business day prior to your standard trash collection.
Fall
October to NovemberOctober marks the end of the seasonal On-Demand Bulk Pickup program. However, leaf and green waste collection will continue through the end of November, weather permitting, giving you plenty of time to clear out your autumn yard debris.
About Watertown Waste Management
The Pay-As-You-Throw Blue Sticker Program
Watertown offers a flexible, pay-as-you-go refuse system for its residents to encourage recycling and reduce waste. If you don't generate enough trash to justify a quarterly subscription, you can purchase official City of Watertown Blue Refuse Stickers for $5.00 each at various local vendors. Simply attach one sticker to a standard household garbage bag—maximum 32 gallons and weighing no more than 40 pounds. Be aware that heavy-duty contractor bags are strictly prohibited under this sticker program.
City Refuse Totes vs. Bag Stickers
For households that consistently generate more weekly waste, the City's Department of Public Works offers quarterly tote rentals in 32, 64, and 96-gallon sizes. Choosing a tote provides a cleaner look at the curb, deters local wildlife, and is often more cost-effective than repeatedly buying blue stickers. Refuse totes are billed quarterly, and prompt payment is required to avoid an interruption of service and a $50 re-delivery fee.
Strict Seasonal Brush and Green Waste Scheduling
Watertown provides dedicated curbside pickup for seasonal yard debris from early April through November. A unique feature of Watertown's collection schedule is that green waste is picked up on the business day prior to your regular refuse pickup. For example, if your standard trash day is Monday, your brush and green waste will be picked up the preceding Friday. All material must be correctly bundled or placed in paper lawn bags, as plastic bags will not be serviced.
Curbside Assistance for Residents with Physical Limitations
The City of Watertown strives to make sanitation services accessible to everyone. If you or a family member have physical limitations that make it difficult to roll heavy refuse and recycling totes to the curb by 7:00 a.m., the DPW offers a specialized Curbside Assistance program. Residents can request, complete, and submit a medical assistance form directly to the DPW office on Newell Street to qualify for this doorstep service.
Drop-off Facilities
Town of Watertown Transfer Station
19624 Heines Road, Watertown, NY 13601
Materials Accepted
Watertown Department of Public Works
557 Newell St, Watertown, NY 13601
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to buy a city refuse tote if I don't have much garbage?
No, Watertown offers a flexible system for lighter waste generators. You can purchase $5.00 Blue Refuse Stickers at local vendors. Simply stick one on a standard 32-gallon trash bag (weighing up to 40 lbs) for curbside collection.
When does the city pick up yard waste?
Seasonal brush and green waste is collected from April through November. Uniquely, Watertown picks up yard waste on the business day prior to your standard trash day. For instance, if your garbage is collected on Tuesday, your yard waste goes out on Monday.
Can I leave my old couch at the curb for free pickup?
No. The City of Watertown runs an On-Demand Bulk Pickup program from April to October that requires scheduling and payment. You must call the DPW at (315) 785-7842 to get a price estimate and arrange the collection.
What should I do if I can't physically roll my trash cart to the curb?
The Department of Public Works provides a Curbside Assistance program for residents with physical limitations. You can complete and mail or fax a Curbside Assistance form to the DPW to have crews collect your waste from closer to your home instead of the curb.