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
!Contamination Tips
Banish Supermarket Plastic Bags
Putting your garbage or recyclables in thin plastic supermarket shopping bags can lead to a $1,500 fine under Yonkers City Code. They break easily, causing garbage to scatter across sidewalks and storm drains.
Keep Grass Clippings Out
The Yonkers DPW strictly prohibits the collection of grass clippings in both standard trash and yard waste bags. They will also be rejected at the Organic Yard. Leave them on the lawn to naturally decompose.
Adhere to the Dual-Stream Schedule
Yonkers operates on a rotating dual-stream recycling schedule. Keep your paper and cardboard completely separated from your commingled glass, plastics, and metals to avoid a rejected curbside pickup.
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.
About Yonkers Waste Management
Navigating the Yonkers Dual-Stream Recycling Schedule
The City of Yonkers utilizes a dual-stream recycling system, requiring residents to consciously separate their materials. Rather than combining all recyclables into one container, residents must place mixed commingles (glass, metal cans, and plastics #1-7) out one week, and clean paper and cardboard out the following week. Keeping these streams strictly separated according to the annual DPW rotating calendar is essential for collection.
Strict 30-Gallon Trash Barrel Limits and Enforced Fines
Yonkers enforces strict regulations under §91-17 of the City Code regarding trash container sizes. Residents are required to use garbage barrels that are no larger than 30 gallons, and standard plastic garbage bags must weigh less than 50 pounds. Crucially, the city bans the use of thin supermarket shopping bags for holding trash, as they easily break and litter the streets. Failure to comply is classified as a Class III offense and can lead to a fine of up to $1,500.
Non-Metal vs. Metal Bulk Waste Collection
Bulk disposal in Yonkers is divided into two distinct categories: metal and non-metal. For non-metal items such as mattresses, tables, and couches, residents of homes with six units or fewer can place one item at the curb on their second scheduled collection day (Thursday or Friday). However, if you are disposing of metal bulk like refrigerators, washing machines, or bed frames, you must secure an appointment by calling 914-377-HELP.
The Grass Clippings Ban and Organic Yard Regulations
Landscaping waste requires special attention in Yonkers. While leaves and brush are routinely collected on designated days during compost season, the city strictly prohibits the collection of grass clippings. Sanitation trucks will not pick them up, and residents are barred from dropping them off at the Yonkers Organic Yard. The DPW advises homeowners to practice "grasscycling" by leaving clippings on the lawn to return vital nutrients to the soil.
E-Waste and Residential Drop-Offs at Saw Mill River Road
To prevent toxic metals from entering landfills, electronic waste cannot be placed out with standard refuse. Residents must bring old computers, small appliances, and televisions smaller than 36 inches to the Yonkers Recycling Center at 735 Saw Mill River Road. Large TVs (over 36 inches) are the only exception and can be picked up curbside, but only if a specialized appointment is booked in advance.
Drop-off Facilities
Yonkers Recycling Center
735 Saw Mill River Road, Yonkers, NY 10710
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispose of a large flat-screen television in Yonkers?
Televisions larger than 36 inches require a scheduled curbside pickup appointment by calling the Mayor's Help Line at 914-377-HELP (4357). Alternatively, smaller TVs and electronics can be dropped off directly at the Yonkers Recycling Center at 735 Saw Mill River Road.
Will the city pick up my grass clippings in the summer?
No. The City of Yonkers will not collect grass clippings curbside, nor can they be delivered to the Organic Yard. Residents are instructed to practice grasscycling by leaving the clippings on their lawn.
How large can my trash barrels be?
Under Section 91-17 of the City Code, residents must use standard garbage barrels that are no larger than 30 gallons. In addition, the garbage bags inside must not exceed 50 pounds. Violating this rule is a Class III Offense that is punishable by a $1,500 fine.
Can I drop off construction debris at the Yonkers Recycling Center?
No, the Yonkers Recycling Center strictly prohibits commercial waste, roofing materials, and construction and demolition debris. The facility is strictly for household recyclables, electronics, and standard residential bulk drop-offs.