Please note: as of November 12, 2024, new residential waste containerization rules require single- and two-family homes, and buildings with up to 9 apartments to use bins with secure lids for non-recyclable trash set out. 

Residential buildings with 1-9 Units must:

• Place trash out after 6 PM in a bin of 55 gallons or less with a secure lid. 

Residential buildings with 10+ Units must:

• Place trash out after 6 PM in a bin of 55 gallons or less with a secure lid, or
• Place trash out after 8 PM, if putting bags directly on the curb.

Bundled cardboard and bulk items can be placed out any time between 6 PM and midnight.

Recycling can be placed out at the curb after 6 PM in a bin of 55 gallons or less with a secure lid and labeled with a recycling decal, or, if using bags, set out at the curb after 8 PM.

Appliances containing CFC must be placed out between 6 PM and midnight the evening before the scheduled CFC and Freon Removal appointment.

To ensure collection, all waste must be set out no later than midnight the night before your collection day.

Property owners of buildings with 9+ residential units and a janitorial staff can apply for an alternate setout time between 4 AM to 7 AM on their collection day. 

The online application is only open during the opt-in period, which runs between January 1 and January 31 each year. 

If you already applied and your application was:

• Approved, your building’s alternate set-out time is in effect from April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027. 
• Not approved, you must follow the set-out times for all other residential properties.

Properties enrolled in the program are required to set out waste only during 4 AM to 7 AM on their collection day. If you set out your material at any other time, including the evening before, you may be fined. If you receive two of these fines, your property may be removed from the program.

Learn about DSNY’s alternative setout program for multiunit buildings, including how to opt out.

American Flag

There are no specific sanitation regulations for disposing of an American flag.

Asbestos

Asbestos cannot be discarded with regular trash. For disposal of asbestos or items containing asbestos, contact a private hazardous/chemical waste company.

COVID-19 Test Kits

Throw out COVID-19 test kits with your regular trash. These test kits are not considered medical waste.  

Medicine

Printed materials that come with prescription medication should be referred to for specific disposal instructions.

Most prescription drugs should be mixed with an undesirable substance (such as used coffee grounds or kitty litter) and put in impermeable, non-descript containers (such as empty cans or sealable bags) before throwing them out in the trash.

Printer Ink and Toner Cartridge

You can mail ink and toner cartridges back to the manufacturer or throw them away with your regular trash.

Printer cartridges are not recyclable.

Trash, Recycling, or Compost Bin Disposal

Waste bins that are mostly plastic or metal are recyclable. Set out unwanted trash, recycling, and compost bins with your recycling. Turn them upside down and include a note to indicate that they should be collected with recycling.

Set out all other non-recyclable waste bins (cans, pails, containers) with trash.

When throwing out broken glass, it should be placed in a cardboard box labeled "broken glass" to avoid bag punctures.

The box should be sealed with tape and placed in a trash can or securely closed trash bag. Small containers of broken glass may be placed directly into a trash can or bag.

Larger cardboard boxes with broken glass inside that are properly sealed and labeled can be placed out for collection next to regular trash containers and bags.

The broken ends of smaller single pieces of broken glass can sometimes be protected with several pages of newspaper taped around the broken end before being placed into a trash can or bag.

Dispose of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and detectors with your trash. Make sure to remove the batteries before disposing.

Some smoke and carbon monoxide detectors contain small amounts of radioactive material. Check the label or look for manufacturer's instructions. While you can put these ionization detectors in the trash, many manufacturers offer take back programs. 

If you are doing a major construction or renovation project in your home, you need to get a dumpster through a private trash removal service. If you hire a contracting company, it should arrange for private disposal of debris, such as heaters, sinks, and tubs.

If you do repair work in your own one or two-family home and don't hire anyone to help, you can place up to six items curbside with your regular trash. Items must be light enough to be lifted by two people and small enough to fit in a garbage truck.

Work on income properties (on 3-family homes and larger), fee for service, and contractor material must be serviced by hiring a private carter or dumpster.

Residential property owners are responsible for making sure all waste for their building is set out correctly for collection.

Fines may be issued for each violation, and the amount may increase with each additional violation issued within a 12-month period.

Learn more about collection laws for residents.

Setout

If you set your waste out incorrectly or at the wrong time, or on the wrong days, you may be fined:

• $50 for the first offense
• $100 for the second offense
• $200 for the third and subsequent offenses

Bins

If you use a bin that is broken or if waste spills out of your container, you may be fined:

• $50 for the first offense
• $100 for the second offense
• $200 for the third and subsequent offenses

All New York City properties with 1-9 residential units must use a bin (55 gallons or less) with a secure lid for trash.  Metal/Glass/Plastic/Cartons and Paper/Cardboard can be set out in clear bags. 

Failure to use a bin that is 55 gallons or less with a secure lid for trash set out will result in fines:

• $50 for the first offense
• $100 for the second offense
• $200 for the third and subsequent offenses

Separation

All NYC residents (in buildings of any size) must:

• Separate compost from trash and place in a DSNY brown bin or any labeled bin (55 gallons or less) with a secure lid.
  • Property owners may receive a fine if compostable material is not separated from trash.
• Separate recycling from trash and set out recyclables correctly.

Failure to properly separate and set out compost and recycling will result in fines:

• Buildings with 1 to 8 units:
  • $25 for the first offense
  • $50 for the second offense
  • $100 for the third and subsequent offenses

•  Buildings with 9 or more units:
  • $100 for the first offense
  • $200 for the second offense
  • $300 for the third and subsequent offenses

You can't remove items, materials, or bags that other residents have placed out for pickup.

Only authorized employees or agents of the Department of Sanitation may collect them.

There are no longer public dumps in New York City.

There are only Special Waste Disposal sites for items such as batteries, paints, and motor oils. These sites don't accept bulk items.

If your collection day falls on a holiday, there may be changes to your collection schedule. 

Make sure to always check back near the date of the holiday to confirm the exact guidelines.

2026 Sanitation Holidays