New York Waste Rules: Set-Out Times and Containers
A plain guide to New York City household waste rules: set-out windows, approved containers, weight limits by building size, holiday shifts, and missed
In New York City, trash and recycling may be placed at the curb only during a set-out window that begins at 6 p.m. the evening before collection day and ends at midnight. Containers must be rigid, lidded, and no heavier than 55 pounds when filled, and the rules change with building size. Missed collections are reported through 311, and persistent problems can lead to fines.
What are the set-out times for trash and recycling in New York?
Residential buildings covered by the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) may put waste out no earlier than 6 p.m. on the day before their scheduled collection. For buildings with nine or more units, the window opens at 6 p.m. as well, but the collection itself may occur later in the evening or early morning. Waste set out after midnight on the collection day risks a ticket. The exact hours vary by district and by whether the building uses a private carter, so residents should check the DSNY collection schedule for their address. A practical guide to these set-out times, trash, recycling and container rules is maintained for New York residents, supers, and small property owners.
Recycling follows the same set-out window as trash. Paper and cardboard go out on one day, metal, glass, plastic, and cartons on another, depending on the district. Compost, when the building participates, is also placed at the curb during the same evening window. Holiday weeks shift the entire schedule by one day after the holiday, and the DSNY publishes a calendar each year showing those shifts.
Paper and cardboard go out on one day, metal, glass, plastic, and cartons on another, depending on the district.
Which containers are approved for trash and recycling?
Trash must be in a rigid container with a tight-fitting lid, or in a securely tied heavy-duty plastic bag if the building has fewer than nine units. Loose bags are not allowed for larger buildings. The container itself cannot exceed 32 gallons in capacity for manual collection, and it must have handles if it is heavier than 20 pounds when empty. Recycling may be placed in clear bags or in rigid containers labeled for recycling; paper should be kept dry and separate from glass and metal.
For buildings with nine or more units, the rules require containers of no more than 32 gallons, or wheeled carts of up to 95 gallons that are compatible with the collection truck’s tipper. Bags may not be used as the primary container for these buildings. Compost must be in a rigid container with a lid, or in a DSNY-approved brown bin, and the contents should be free of plastic. Bins must be placed at the curb, not in the street, and they must be removed by 9 p.m. on the day of collection.
What are the weight and volume limits for waste containers?
A filled container may not weigh more than 55 pounds. This limit applies to trash, recycling, and compost alike. For manual collection, the container itself should not exceed 32 gallons; larger wheeled carts are allowed only where the building has a tipper-compatible collection. Volume limits are tied to the container size: a 32-gallon bin is the maximum for hand collection, while a 95-gallon cart is permitted for buildings with mechanical collection. Overfilled containers that prevent the lid from closing are subject to a violation.
Bulk items such as furniture and mattresses are collected on specific days and must be scheduled in advance. Mattresses must be sealed in plastic bags. Electronic waste cannot be placed at the curb; it must be taken to a designated drop-off site or returned to a retailer. Construction debris and hazardous waste are not part of regular residential collection.
How do holiday shifts affect collection?
When a public holiday falls on a weekday, collection is suspended that day and resumes the following day. The entire week’s schedule shifts by one day, so a normal Tuesday pickup becomes Wednesday, and so on through Saturday. If the holiday falls on a weekend, there is usually no shift. The DSNY publishes a holiday calendar each year, and residents can sign up for text or email reminders. During snow emergencies or other disruptions, collection may be suspended without a one-day shift, and residents should check the DSNY website or call 311.
What happens when a collection is missed?
If the collection crew does not arrive on the scheduled day, residents should first confirm that the waste was set out correctly and within the allowed window. If the set-out was proper, the missed pickup can be reported to 311 or through the DSNY website. The report generates a service request, and a crew is usually sent within 24 to 48 hours. Repeated missed collections may indicate a route or access problem, and the building’s superintendent or manager should contact the local DSNY garage.
If a violation is issued for a missed collection, it is often because the waste was set out too early, in an unapproved container, or in a way that obstructed the sidewalk. The ticket will state the section of the administrative code that was violated. Recipients can contest the ticket online or in person at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH). The deadline to contest is usually 30 days from the date of the notice. Ignoring a ticket leads to additional penalties and possible liens on the property.
Why building size changes the rules
Buildings with one to eight units may use bags for trash, while buildings with nine or more units must use rigid containers. This threshold also affects recycling: larger buildings must provide separate containers for paper and for metal, glass, plastic, and cartons. Compost collection is mandatory for all buildings in certain districts, and the container requirements are the same regardless of size. Property owners should check the DSNY rules for their specific building classification, because the definitions of "small" and "large" can change with the number of units and the presence of a commercial tenant.
The set-out windows, container rules and weight limits described on this page follow the published source behind it: the city department that collects household trash, recycling and compost, and that publishes the collection calendar, the container rules and the notice of violations. Readers who want the current version of those figures, including holiday shifts and missed pickups, can consult the New York City sanitation rules directly. Rules of this kind are revised from time to time, so the published text, not this summary, governs what a building may place at the curb.
For residents and supers, the practical steps are simple: know the set-out window, use the right container, keep the weight under 55 pounds, and report missed pickups promptly. The rules are detailed, but they are published and consistent, and the city offers reminders and calendars to help.