New York City does not have one universal pickup day or time for trash, recycling, and compost. Instead, pickup is on a rolling basis, and according to NYC 311, it varies by address. Based on where you live, you will have a specific date and time that you need to have your bins out by. If you miss the window, you’ll need to save your items for next week.
Find Your NYC Trash Pickup Schedule By Address
Below, we’ll cover all you need to know about trash, recycling, and compost pickup in NYC, including holiday schedules and set-out times. This breakdown will help you feel prepared, so your trash doesn’t make your home feel dirty and uninviting.
Find Your NYC Trash Pickup Day
Each borough – Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island – has different trash and recycling pickup days. The best way to find out what yours is is to use the official DSNY address lookup tool.
All you need to do is visit the DSNY Collection Schedule website, enter your address, and hit search. The website will auto-generate your schedule broken down by day, including what items are collected on which day and routing times based on residential or commercial buildings.
Use the official DSNY website to avoid outdated information, as routes are subject to change. 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.
NYC Trash Pickup Rules at a Glance
Below, please find a quick reference guide to help you understand New York City’s trash pickup rules.
| Item | Key Rule |
| Trash | Schedule varies by address |
| Recycling | Schedule varies by address |
| Compost | Weekly, same day as recycling |
| Set-out Deadline | By midnight |
| 1-9 unit buildings | Official NYC bin required |
| 10-30 unit buildings | Individual lidded bins (55 gallons or less) or on-street Empire Bins |
| 31+ unit buildings | On-street Empire Bins |
Residents who don’t follow these rules may be subject to fines, so it’s critical that you understand what is expected of you on NYC trash day.
What Time Should You Put Trash Out in NYC?
The time you need to set out your trash depends on the type of container you are using and the number of residents in your building.
- 1-9-unit buildings: Set official NYC bins with secure lids out after 6 p.m. the night before trash collection.
- 10+ unit buildings: Set qualifying bins out after 6 p.m. OR after 8 p.m. if you are using curbside bags the night before trash collection.
All items must be set out by midnight the night before trash collection to guarantee collection of your items.
There are select exceptions to the rule. For example, select larger buildings can enroll in the 4-7 a.m. alternative trash program. This allows them to place their items out in the morning on the day of their trash collection to avoid items being left out all night.
In order to qualify for this alternative program, your building must have more than 9 units and enroll directly with the New York City Department of Sanitation.
NYC Bin Requirements for 2026
As of June 1, 2026, all NYC residential properties with between 1 and 9 units are now required to have official NYC Bins. Full enforcement of the NYC bin requirement began on September 8, 2026.
Bins are available for purchase through local NYC Home Depots or can be delivered to your home. These bins come in 25-,35-, or 45-gallon sizes and should include a secure lid.
If you do not use the proper bins, you will be subject to a $50 fine for the first offense, a $100 fine for the second, and a $200 fine for every subsequent offense.
There are also official recycling and compost bins available. However, at this time, these bins are optional. They are not currently required by NYC as part of their trash and recycling pickup process.
NYC Recycling & Compost Pick-Up
Recycling and composting are required of all New York City residents, and services are offered once a week on the same day.
- Recycling: Place all your items in bins (after 6 p.m.) or clear bags (after 8 p.m.) the night before your collection.
- Compost: Food and yard waste can be placed in a labeled bin with a secure lid after 6 p.m. the night before your collection. You may line your bin as long as the liner is compostable.
All compost must be separated from trash. Failure to do so could result in fines of up to $300.
To help you know what can go where, please see the table below for common items.
| Trash | Foam, flexible plastics, diapers/personal sanitation items, food-soiled items, packaging, etc. |
| Recycling | Paper, cardboard, metal, glass, rigid plastic jugs or containers |
| Compost | Food scraps, yard waste, compostable bags or items |
Some items can be recycled but must be disposed of separately and cannot be mixed in with your other recyclables. Visit the DSNY website to learn more about the special waste drop-off for full details.
2026 NYC Sanitation Holiday Schedule
NYC observes several major holidays that impact the regular garbage and recycling collection schedule. The 2026 schedule includes the following days.
| Recognized Holidays | Date |
| New Year’s Day | January 1 |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | January 19 |
| Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday | February 12 |
| President’s Day | February 16 |
| Memorial Day | May 25 |
| Juneteenth | June 19 |
| Independence Day | July 4 |
| Labor Day | September 7 |
| Columbus Day/Italian Heritage Day/Indigenous People’s Day | October 12 |
| Election Day | November 3 |
| Veterans Day | November 11 |
| Thanksgiving Day | November 26 |
| Christmas Day | December 25 |
Check NYC311 around each holiday for the exact collection changes to understand when you should place your trash, recycling, and compost out.
Bulk Trash & Special Items
Select trash days are designated for large items. These are generally items that are too large to fit in a bin or a trash bag and often include furniture.
If the item is made of metal or rigid plastic, it can be set out on recycling days. You can only set out a maximum of six large items per trash collection day, and you do not need to schedule an appointment.
Select large, bulk, or special items have specific rules about how they should be disposed of. You can click the links below for more information on the DSNY website.
- Large appliances
- Mattresses and box springs
- Construction debris
- Rugs and carpets
- Electronics and e-waste
If you don’t meet the disposal requirements, your items may not be collected, and you may face a fine.
Tips from NYC Cleaning Professionals
There are steps that you can take to help manage your trash to make pickup day go more smoothly. Here are a few tips from the cleaning professionals at White Glove Cleaner.
Avoid Common Trash and Recycling Mistakes
It can be hard to keep all the rules straight, and we’ve seen a lot of common mistakes over the years with our clients.
- Use the right container. This is even more important now with the bin, recycling, and composting requirements.
- Setting your trash out too early – or too late. Make sure that your bins are placed out after 6 p.m. and your bags out after 8 p.m. Be sure to set everything out by midnight to avoid missing your window.
- Sort your items properly. It can be really easy to toss plastic wrap in the recycling or forget to put your food scraps in composting. Pay attention when you’re throwing things out to ensure you are putting your waste in the correct bins.
- Rinse out residue. If you’re recycling a pasta jar, rinse out the remainder before you toss it in the bin. If you don’t, it could contaminate the entire bin and send it to the landfill.
Our team takes the guesswork out of sorting your trash and recycling. This can be especially important if you are an Airbnb or Vrbo host. You need someone who understands the pickup schedule and will keep the trash from building up in your home.
Prevent Odors and Pests Between Collection Days
Built-up waste can quickly lead to foul and musty smells in your NYC apartment – or worse. It can attract pests, leading to an even bigger headache. We recommend the following simple tips to keep your home fresh in between collection days.
- Identify the source of the smell. Musty odors could mean dust and mold. Once you know what’s causing it, treat the root cause. Don’t just spray air freshener, or it will quickly return with a vengeance.
- Place filters throughout your home. Activated charcoal filters are great odor neutralizers that you can toss into a trash can. They can help soak up foul smells.
- Clean up after cooking. Pests are attracted to the smell of food, so you want to make sure your sink isn’t full of dirty dishes, your counters are clean, and all leftovers are in secure containers.
- Secure your trash, recycling, and compost. Use lidded containers and make sure that you rinse out any leftover food. Even the smallest crumbs will act like a magnet to pests.
Keeping a clean and sanitized home can help prevent odors and pests from setting up shop.
Manage Trash in Small NYC Apartments
There aren’t a lot of places to hide trash in smaller New York apartments, so you need to get creative.
Use hanging bins over pantry doors to maximize space. You can place food scraps in the freezer until you’re ready to take them out. Declutter so you have fewer things to clean and manage.
Regular deep cleaning can help you feel like your apartment is more spacious than it really is because you don’t let the trash and clutter build up.
Prepare Garbage/Recycling During Move-In and Move-Out
If you are getting ready to move, you have to be strategic about your cleaning. Otherwise, you’ll feel overwhelmed by the amount of stuff you need to keep in your apartment between trash days.
- Be strategic about big deliveries. Schedule deliveries the night before your trash or recycling days. That way, you can put together items and dispose of big boxes and wrapping immediately instead of letting it sit.
- Get your bins ready. Have your trash, recycling, and compost bins easily accessible. That way, as you pack or unpack, you can quickly get rid of items and waste.
- Leverage a cleaning checklist. It can be so hard to stay on top of what needs to be done during move-in and move-out. A cleaning checklist can help you stay focused while allowing you to phase your cleaning to coincide with the garbage cycles.
Make sure you understand the garbage cycle before you tackle big jobs. Otherwise, the build-up between pickup days can hinder your packing or unpacking.
Working with White Glove Cleaner
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!
Contact us today to learn more about our cleaning services, including specialty offerings like home disinfecting services, move-in/move-out cleaning, or green cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What day is trash pickup in NYC?
Trash pickup in NYC varies by borough and by address. There is no single trash pickup day in New York City.
How do I find my pickup day by address?
The DSNY website offers a detailed breakdown of trash pickup days. You simply need to search for your address to learn what days your trash, recycling, compost, and large item trash pickup days are.
What time can I put trash outside?
For buildings with 1-9 units, all trash should be placed in the required bins after 6 p.m. For buildings with 10+ units, trash can be placed in qualifying bins after 6 p.m. or in bags after 8 p.m. All trash should be placed out by midnight the night before unless otherwise stated.
What happens to trash pickup on holidays?
The New York Department of Sanitation recognizes 13 public holidays that may disrupt trash pickup. Check the official NYC311 around each holiday for more information on the exact collection changes.
Are NYC Bins mandatory in 2026?
NYC bins are mandatory for buildings with 1 to 9 units. All trash should be placed in these official lidded bins. There are official recycling and compost bins, but they are not currently required.
What do I do if my trash wasn’t picked up?
You can report the missed collection by contacting NYC311. Please wait to report the missed collection until 8 a.m. the day after your pickup and be sure to leave your bins out. Your missed collection should be picked up within 5 days.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on May 7th, 2024 and has been updated to reflect the most current information.