Yonkers Trash Schedule: Collection Days and Guidelines

Yonkers has a comprehensive trash and recycling collection system to help keep the city clean and environmentally friendly. This article provides a detailed overview of Yonkers’ trash and recycling schedule, including collection days, guidelines, and other key information for residents and businesses.

Curbside Collection Schedule

The City of Yonkers provides curbside collection of trash and recycling for residents of private homes. Collection occurs on a regular weekly schedule.

Trash Collection

• Trash is collected twice per week on Mondays and Thursdays or Tuesdays and Fridays, depending on your address.

• Only trash in cans 32 gallons or smaller will be collected curbside. Oversized items should be brought to the Recycling Center.

• Trash must be placed curbside after 6pm the evening before collection day and no later than 7am on collection day.

• Trash collection occurs between 7am-3pm on the scheduled day. Times are estimates and can vary.

Recycling Collection

• Recycling is collected once per week on Wednesdays or Saturdays, depending on your address.

• Recyclables should be separated into two categories:

  • Mixed recyclables (“commingles”), including plastic bottles/jugs, glass bottles/jars, metal food/beverage cans, cartons, and empty aerosol cans.

  • Paper recyclables, including cardboard, newspaper, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, cereal boxes, office paper, and flattened corrugated cardboard.

• Recyclables must be placed curbside after 6pm the evening before collection day and no later than 7am on collection day.

• Collection occurs between 7am-3pm on Wednesdays and 7am-2pm on Saturdays. Times are estimates and can vary.

Refer to the official recycling calendar to look up your address and determine your collection schedule.

Collection Guidelines

Follow these guidelines to ensure your trash and recycling are collected properly:

• Place all materials curbside by 7am on collection day, but not before 6pm the previous evening.

• Use trash cans 32 gallons or smaller with tight fitting lids. Do not overfill.

• Bundle or bag recyclables to keep materials contained on windy days.

• Break down and flatten all cardboard boxes.

• Keep a 3ft clearance around trash cans and recycling.

• Do not place trash or recycling in front of parked cars.

• Avoid placing items curbside when snow or ice is forecasted.

• Keep trash and recycling 3-5ft apart from each other.

• Do not block sidewalks or bike lanes with trash or recycling.

Recycling Center

The Yonkers Recycling Center accepts many items that cannot be disposed of curbside:

• Metal items (grills, metal furniture, pipes, pots and pans, etc.)

• Non-metal bulk items (furniture, mattresses, plastics, etc.)

• Appliances and electronics

• Hazardous wastes like paint, chemicals, motor oil, and batteries

• Tires, up to 2 per visit

The Recycling Center does not accept commercial waste, construction debris, medical waste, explosives, or ammunition.

Visit the Recycling Center page for hours, address, and a full list of accepted and prohibited items.

Bulky Item Pickup

Yonkers provides at-home bulk item pickup for metal items like appliances and furniture for homes with 6 or fewer units. To schedule a pickup:

• Call the Mayor’s Help Line at 914-377-4357.

• Provide your name, address, phone number, and a list of items for pickup.

• Items must be brought to the curb for collection on the scheduled date.

• Limit of 2 pickups per year.

Yard Waste Disposal

Yonkers has an Organic Yard that processes leaves, branches, and Christmas trees. Residents can drop off these materials for free. The facility cannot accept plastic bags, grass clippings, or stumps.

Visit the Organic Yard page for hours, address, and a full list of accepted materials.

For curbside collection of bagged leaves in the fall, follow the same guidelines as trash collection. Note that leaf vacuuming only occurs in designated areas.

Trash Schedule for Businesses & Multi-Family Homes

Private carting companies provide trash collection services for multi-family residences and commercial businesses in Yonkers. Contact your property manager or private hauler for your trash and recycling schedule.

The City does provide municipal collection for some multi-family complexes. Refer to the collection calendar or contact the Sanitation Division for details.

Holiday Schedule Changes

Trash and recycling collection are suspended on several major holidays each year:

• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

If your normal collection day falls on or after a holiday, pickup is delayed by one day that week. Check the collection calendar for adjusted schedules around holidays.

Tips for Proper Disposal

Follow these tips to safely and responsibly dispose of trash in Yonkers:

• Review the recycling and refuse A-Z guide to learn how to properly dispose of specific items.

• Avoid putting hazardous materials like batteries, paint, or chemicals in your curbside trash. Take them to the Recycling Center instead.

• When in doubt, look up an item using the Recycle Coach tool or call 914-377-4357.

• Reduce waste by reusing, donating, composting, and recycling whenever possible.

• Report illegal dumping by calling 914-377-3867. You may receive a reward for reporting.

Changes to Collection Schedule

The collection calendar is subject to change year to year. Sign up for email and text alerts through the Recycle Coach app to receive notifications about schedule changes, holidays, cancelations, and more.

Check the City of Yonkers website, social media, and local news for any announcements regarding modifications to the garbage and recycling schedule.

Conclusion

Familiarizing yourself with the Yonkers trash and recycling schedule is key to ensuring your household or business has reliable collection services. Use the resources provided in this article to look up your collection days, learn what can and cannot be disposed of curbside, and properly handle your waste. Contact the Sanitation Division or Recycling Center directly if you need assistance. Sustainable waste management is a shared responsibility – every resident and business must play their part in keeping Yonkers clean and green.