Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Yonkers
New York municipal refuse is collected weekly on designated neighborhood days. Recycling is often collected on specific days depending on the borough or county.
State Mandate
Strictly separate e-waste. Electronics are banned from regular trash.
Any standard unmarked barrel (max 30 gallons) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be placed in a 30-gallon or smaller barrel with bags weighing no more than 50 lbs. Do not use thin supermarket shopping bags. Set out no earlier than sundown the evening prior to scheduled pick up.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Heavily soiled paper
Standard recycling bins (Dual-stream separated) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables are picked up on a rotating weekly schedule (commingles one week, paper the next). Materials must be loose in the bin, never bagged in plastic.
Accepted Items
- ✓Commingled glass bottles and jars
- ✓Metal food and beverage cans
- ✓Plastics #1-7
- ✓Clean paper, junk mail, and cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic supermarket shopping bags
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Gas cylinders
- ✕Roofing materials
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Leaves and brush must be placed in open containers or biodegradable paper bags (no plastic bags) and put out on Wednesdays during compost season, or on the second garbage day for the rest of the year. No grass clippings.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush
- ✓Branches
- ✓Christmas trees
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (One non-metal item on your 2nd collection day; Metal items require an appointment)
Placement
Place bulk items curbside no earlier than sundown the evening prior to collection. For appliances like refrigerators, all doors must be completely removed to prevent entrapment.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Tables, chairs, and couches
- ✓ Rugs (cut and tied in 3-foot lengths)
- ✓ Refrigerators, stoves, and AC units (Metal appointment required)
- ✓ TVs larger than 36 inches (Appointment required)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Commercial or construction material (roofing, drywall)
- ✕ Rocks, dirt, and concrete
- ✕ Tires and rims
- ✕ Car batteries and motor oil
- ✕ Medical waste
Non-metal bulk and appointment-based metal bulk removals are provided free of charge by the City of Yonkers for eligible private homes and residential buildings with six units or less.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed holiday falls on a scheduled collection day, standard pickup services are suspended, and the schedule usually shifts forward for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
During holiday weeks, there is typically no designated yard waste collection on the holiday itself or the Wednesday of that corresponding holiday week.
Always refer to the official Yonkers Recycle Coach App or the DPW website calendar to verify exact date shifts for holiday weeks.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring-Fall
April - NovemberDuring the designated compost season, your bagged leaves and brush must go out specifically on Wednesdays. Outside of this season, they are collected on your second standard garbage day of the week.
Fall
October - DecemberFallen leaves must be placed in biodegradable paper leaf bags or open, unlined containers. Any leaves placed in plastic bags will be rejected by the sanitation crews.
Winter
JanuaryChristmas trees can be brought to the Yonkers Organic Yard or placed out during special curbside collection periods, provided all lights, ornaments, stands, and plastic disposal bags are fully removed.
Local Tips & Community Info
Tackling Sanitation in the City of Hills
The geography of Yonkers presents unique challenges for the Department of Public Works (DPW), which efficiently manages waste collection across steep neighborhoods and busy corridors. Residential refuse is generally picked up on a predetermined weekly schedule. To ensure seamless service, residents must position their trash receptacles at the curbline by 6:00 AM on the day of their scheduled route. To prevent neighborhood blight and deter nocturnal pests, the city code strictly prohibits placing any garbage outside before 8:00 PM on the evening prior to your collection date. Adjustments to this timeline frequently occur during severe winter storms, so checking the city's official social media channels during snow emergencies is highly recommended.
Guidelines for Heavy Receptacles
Proper container usage prevents street litter and protects the municipal workforce from physical strain. The DPW mandates that all domestic refuse be contained within durable metal or heavy-duty plastic cans equipped with tight-fitting lids. The absolute maximum volume for any single container is 32 gallons. Furthermore, the combined weight of a filled can, or a standalone securely tied trash bag, is legally capped at 50 pounds. Sanitation crews are instructed to leave behind any excessively heavy or oversized drums, which could result in a citation from local code enforcement officers if left uncorrected.
Sorting Westchester's Recyclables
Environmental regulations set by Westchester County dictate how Yonkers handles its recyclable materials. The city operates a dual-stream collection model, dividing materials into two separate pickup days. Paper products, including cardboard boxes and newsprint, must be bundled or placed in paper bags on their designated day. The alternating collection focuses on commingled plastics, glass bottles, and metal cans, which should be deposited loosely into your designated recycling bin. Using plastic grocery bags to corral your glass and plastic is a major violation that will contaminate the processing facility's sorting line.
Leaves, Brush, and Organic Disposal
Seasonal yard maintenance requires specific disposal methods, especially during the autumn leaf drop. The DPW collects organic yard debris separately from household garbage. Homeowners are required to pack grass clippings and leaves into biodegradable paper bags or place them into open, unlidded 32-gallon trash cans. Plastic landscaping bags are strictly forbidden. For larger brush and branches, the wood must be trimmed to lengths of no more than four feet and tied into manageable bundles. Alternatively, residents can transport their organics directly to the Yonkers Organic Yard Waste Facility for quick disposal.
Navigating Bulky Items and E-Waste
Residents looking to discard large appliances, old mattresses, or bulky furniture must coordinate with the DPW. While some basic bulk items can be left out on your second garbage day, appliances containing Freon, such as refrigerators or air conditioners, require a scheduled appointment and a specific disposal fee. Electronic waste falls under a different category entirely. State law prohibits tossing computers and televisions into the trash. Locals must transport these electronics to the Yonkers Recycling Center located on Saw Mill River Road, where they can be recycled safely and legally.
Drop-off Facilities
Yonkers Recycling Center
735 Saw Mill River Road, Yonkers, NY 10710
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the earliest I can put my trash out in Yonkers?
You are permitted to place your garbage cans at the curb no earlier than 8:00 PM the night before your scheduled DPW collection day.
What is the weight limit for a garbage can in the city?
A fully loaded trash receptacle or a single sealed garbage bag cannot exceed a total weight of 50 pounds. Cans must also be no larger than 32 gallons.
How do I get rid of an old computer in Yonkers?
Computers and other electronic waste cannot be placed at the curb. You must drop them off at the Yonkers Recycling Center on Saw Mill River Road.