January 27, 2026

NYC Trash, Recycling, and Garbage Pickup Schedule

When your space feels clean, it becomes a welcoming and pleasant place to spend your time. But if you’re surrounded by trash and recycling, you can go from relaxed to riled up in an instant. Whether you are a resident of New York City or are taking advantage of the Big Apple from an Airbnb or rental property, it’s important to properly dispose of your trash. Here, we’ve got a complete breakdown of the NYC’s trash and recycling pickup schedules, along with tips to help you make the most of this service. 

When is My Neighborhood’s Trash Pick-Up in NYC?

The New York City Department of Sanitation offers a handy tool to help you understand when your borough’s trash pickup is. All you need to do is enter your address, and you’ll see a detailed breakdown of which days you have trash pickup and what items you can dispose of on each day.

For example, twice a week, you may be able to dispose of large items and trash, while on other days, you’re able to dispose of trash, recycling, and composting. The times vary based on whether your property is residential, commercial, or mixed-use. 

Many neighborhoods have their trash collected several times per week, but you can count on having your trash collected at least once every week. 

You can also download the DSNY Pickup or NYC 311 Apps to access this information on the go. While NYC trash pickup has regular schedules, using the scheduling tool can be more accurate than relying on static neighborhood lists. These dynamic tools update in real time when there are changes, including adjustments due to holidays and other service disruptions.

Trash pick-up is free for all NYC residents. If you’re moving into a residence that has never had collection service from DSNY before or that has been vacant, you can easily submit a new collection request. You will need to provide your name, a daytime phone number, and a copy of the Certificate of Occupancy for the residence. A temporary certificate of occupancy that has not expired is also acceptable. After your request is submitted, it is typically reviewed within two weeks.

So, what exactly should you include in your trash? You should discard any items that cannot be recycled, reused, or donated. Trash that can go in your bins or bags may include pet waste, film plastics (like bubble wrap or plastic wrap), wooden furniture, textiles, dishes, and more. When possible, recycle paper and glass items and compost food waste and yard waste.

NYC Recycling Pick-Up

It’s estimated that only 17 percent of NYC’s waste is recycled, and the city is working to change that by making services readily available. NYC residents have access to a recycling and compost pickup service once per week in addition to trash pickup. The city’s recycling program currently accepts the following, provided they are empty and free of food. 

• Cardboard (shipping boxes, pizza boxes, etc., as long as they are clean and flattened)
• Paper (Newspapers, mail, office paper (white/colored), and paperback books)
• Metal (aluminum foil, empty paint cans, and metal hardware)
• Plastic (bottles, jugs, and empty food containers)
• Glass (bottles and jars are acceptable, but eyeglasses and mirrors are not)
• Cartons (as long as you remove the plastic film inside).

Recycling can be placed on the curb in recyclable bags after 8 p.m. or in secure 55-gallon bins with a recycling decal by 6 p.m. All items should be placed on the curb by midnight.

Some items can be recycled but must be disposed of separately and cannot be mixed in with your other recyclables. These materials include electronics, medical waste, non-alkaline batteries, and anything labeled “hazardous” or “flammable.” If you need to dispose of any of these materials, contact DSNY or visit their website for more information. 

Composting is also included with recycling services, and all compost must be separated from trash. Failure to do so could result in fines of up to $300, depending on how many offenses you have had.  

This is because the city recently began a program to convert yard waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper into compost or renewable energy. 
Since its launch in 2024, it has become both the largest and the easiest curbside composting program. In fact, the city continues to break composting records, diverting around 6 million pounds of trash weekly from landfills.

Garbage Pick-Up Holidays in NYC

NYC observes several major holidays that impact the regular garbage and recycling collection schedule, including President’s Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, and others.

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• President’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Labor Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas

For a full list of holidays that impact NYC sanitation pickup schedules, visit the DSNY website or social media platforms.

In most cases, garbage collection pick-up in NYC will be delayed by one day. You’ll still place your trash outside at the normal time but will simply act one day behind schedule. By the following week, the pickup schedule will be back to normal.

Helpful Rules and Etiquette for Garbage Pick-Up in NYC

In order for your trash to be picked up, you must hHave your bins out to the curb on the evening before your trash pick-up date. The time varies based on the type of residential building you live in. According to the New York City Department of Sanitation, the set-out times are as follows:

• Residential buildings with 1-9 units: After 6 p.m. in a 55-gallon bin or less with a secure lid
• Residential buildings with 10+ units: After 6 p.m. in a 55-gallon bin or less with a secure lid OR after 8 p.m. if you’re putting your secured bags directly on the curb

All of your trash must be set out by midnight to ensure it will be collected during this trash cycle. Additionally, beginning June 2026, all residential buildings with 1-9 units will be required to use the official NYC Bins for trash. There are also recycling and composting bins available for purchase, though they are not yet required.

Once your trash is picked up, try to bring your bins back in as quickly as possible. The same timing applies to recycling pick-up. If you’re using bags for your recycling, they must be clear.

When you’re placing your bins or bags outside, be mindful of food traffic. Any NYC resident knows just how many people walk down any given street each day, and trash can be a big obstacle (physically and literally) to move through the city smoothly. Leave your bins as close to the curb as possible, and if your street is particularly busy, try to move your bins as soon after pick-up as you can.

Don’t overfill your bins, and make sure they’re not too heavy to lift. If you’re struggling to move your bin, there’s a good chance that a sanitation worker would struggle, too! Clean your trash bins occasionally to cut down on odors and avoid attracting insects and rodents.

If you have something particularly large or heavy to dispose of, you can set it outside next to your trash. There are special disposal rules for a few items, though. If you need to dispose of one of the following items, visit the DSNY website for specific instructions:

• Mattresses and box springs
• Carpets, rugs, and lumber
• Electronics
• Refrigerators and air conditioners
• Construction debris

We’ve already mentioned the final piece of etiquette, but it’s worth repeating: dispose of what you must, but try to recycle and compost as much as possible. New Yorkers get rid of more than 10,000 tons of garbage every day, and every item we can keep out of landfills makes a difference!

Working with White Glove Cleaner

Taking out the trash is a key part of keeping a clean home, but sometimes, it can feel overwhelming to stay on top of it. The good news is that you don’t have to handle all of your household cleaning alone.

White Glove Cleaner is one of the most trusted cleaning services in New York City, serving both residential and commercial customers. As part of our standard cleaning routine, we will gather and bag your trash and recyclables, so you can simply put out the bins or bags and be done!

White Glove Cleaner provides both one-time and recurring cleaning services, so you can schedule a special cleaning before a big event or have us return weekly, biweekly, or monthly to maintain a clean and tidy space. Our team members are individually vetted and background checked, and we provide our own equipment and cleaning solutions, saving you time and money. Learn more about our cleaning services including specialty offerings like home disinfecting services, move-in/move-out cleaning, or green cleaning by contacting White Glove Cleaner today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What day is my trash pickup?

Click here to check your trash pick-up dates by address. 

What time do I have to have my items out?

All items must be placed out after 6 p.m. in a 55-gallon bin or less with a secure lid the day before your scheduled pick up. Residential properties with more than 10 units can also place secured bags on the curb after 8 p.m. All trash must be placed by midnight. 

When do I need my official NYC bin for trash?

Beginning June 2026, all NYC residents of buildings with 1-9 units will be required to use an official NYC bin. 

Do I have to separate my composting from my trash?

Yes, all compostable items must be disposed of separately on the same day as your recycling. Failure to do so could result in fines. 

How do I dispose of bulk items?

Large items can typically be disposed of on the same day as your trash pickup. 

What if there is a holiday or weather-related service disruption?

Pickup is often the next day. Click here to see real-time collection status updates.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on May 7th, 2024 and has been updated to reflect the most current information.