Understanding Trash Pickup Schedules in Syracuse, NY

Syracuse is the fifth most populous city in New York, home to over 140,000 residents. With a city this size, effective trash and recycling pickup is crucial for cleanliness and public health. This article will explain Syracuse’s trash and recycling schedule, including:

• When trash is collected
• What days trash pickup is delayed
• What time to put out trash
• How much trash is allowed
• What items are prohibited
• Who to contact with questions

Trash Pickup Schedule

The City of Syracuse provides weekly trash and recycling pickup to all residential properties.

To find your specific pickup day, use the Trash & Recycling Pickup Route Map and enter your address. Trash and recycling are collected on the same day.

Pickup occurs weekly on your designated day. There are exceptions for the following holidays:

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

If your normal pickup day falls on or after one of these holidays, pickup will be delayed by one day that week.

For example, if you normally have Wednesday pickup and Christmas is on a Monday, your pickup that week will be on Thursday.

Trash Pickup Policies

Follow these policies to ensure your trash is collected properly:

• Put trash out by 6 AM on your pickup day – any later may be missed
• Don’t put trash out too early – before 8 PM the evening before pickup to avoid citations
• Make trash accessible – remove ice/water so workers can collect it

Trash Cart Size

Syracuse provides 96-gallon trash carts to all households. This is the expected capacity per week.

If you occasionally have extra trash that won’t fit, you have a few options:

• Schedule a bulk pickup (4 allowed per year) for large items like furniture
• Bring extra trash to an OCRRA dropoff site
• For landlords managing multifamily buildings, establish a clear system for managing trash volume

Prohibited Materials

Do NOT place the following materials in your trash cart:

• Bulky items (furniture, appliances)
• Yard waste or construction debris
• Hazardous waste (chemicals, batteries, fluorescent bulbs)
• Electronics (TVs, computers)
• Tires
• Liquids (paint, oil)
• Medical waste

Improper disposal of these items is illegal. Syracuse provides proper disposal methods for each:

• Bulk items: Schedule pickup by calling 315-448-CITY
• Yard waste: Special seasonal drop off days
• Hazardous waste: Drop off events or permanent OCRRA locations
• Electronics: Drop off at OCRRA sites
• Tires: Tire dropoff events or retailers that collect tires
• Liquids: OCRRA hazardous waste sites or Onondaga County’s household hazardous waste day
• Medical waste: Follow medical waste guidelines

Review OCRRA’s website or call 315-453-2870 for proper disposal of prohibited items. Improper disposal can result in fines.

Recycling Schedule

Recycling is collected weekly on the same day as trash. Refer to the pickup map tool to find your designated day.

Place recycling curbside by 6 AM on your pickup day. Recycling should be loose in your bin – not bagged.

See the recycling guide for a detailed list of accepted materials like paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, and metal. Non-recyclable materials in your bin may be treated as trash.

Missed Pickups

If your trash or recycling is missed on your scheduled day, report it right away to Syracuse Cityline at 315-448-CITY (2489). This number can also be used to report illegal dumping sites for cleanup.

Syracuse Waste Management Contacts

For any other questions or concerns about trash and recycling, contact:

Syracuse Cityline
315-448-CITY (2489)

Department of Public Works
315-448-2489
[email protected]

Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency (OCRRA)
315-453-2870
ocrra.org

Proper trash disposal is important for cleanliness, visual appeal, and responsible environmental practices. Following Syracuse’s trash schedule and policies helps maintain a healthy, sustainable community.