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Yard Waste, Leaves, and Construction Debris

Yard Waste & Leaves

Yard waste includes brush, small twigs, branches, limbs, and leaves. We pick up yard waste once a month from April through October.

How should I dispose of my yard waste?

Look up your yard waste collection date(PDF, 188KB)
The City picks up leaves in November.
When setting out your yard waste for pickup on your collection date, make sure you:
- Keep yard waste separate from other trash
- Bag leaves in a paper bag (no plastic bags allowed)
- Do not put yard waste or yard waste bags in the street
- Keep your yard waste bag away from fire hydrants, poles, trees, and storm drains (also known as catch basins)
City of Syracuse residents can drop off yard waste any time of the year at the Department of Public Works self-drop off site, located at 1200 Canal St. Ext. during the following hours:
- Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
- Saturday 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (April through October only)
- For City of Syracuse residents only
- No businesses or contractors
- No plastic bags or waste other than yard waste
During winter months, this facility's hours are dependent upon staffing and weather. We recommend calling ahead to Cityline at (315) 448-CITY (2489).

Construction Debris

We pick up construction debris twice a year, in May and September. Residents should look at the City Service Guide(PDF, 356KB) to find their set-out dates for construction debris. These dates are based on the quadrant you live in.

Note: Those living in the Northeast Quadrant should set-out their pick-ups by the last week of April and August. This allows enough time for the City to begin with that quadrant in May and September.

Step 1.How should I dispose of my construction or demolition debris?

Find the 2 dates a year(PDF, 188KB) we will collect yard waste and construction debris in your neighborhood, or call Cityline at (315) 448-2489 to schedule a collection for your construction debris
We will only accept certain amounts of debris:
- You can put out no more than 2 cubic yards, which is the size of a standard washer and dryer next to each other
- If you have more construction debris, you will need to take it to one of the following landfills:
  - OCRRA ‘s landfills
  - Camillus landfill
Put your construction debris on the curb by 6:00 a.m.

If you used a contractor, they are required to remove any construction debris themselves by taking it to a dump. If they don’t, you may get a fine.

Step 2.What is construction or demolition debris?

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), construction and demolition debris is uncontaminated solid waste resulting from the construction, remodeling, repair and demolition of utilities, structures and roads; and uncontaminated solid waste resulting from land clearing. Such waste includes, but is not limited to:

bricks, concrete and other masonry materials
soil and rock
wood (including painted, treated and coated wood and wood products)
land clearing debris
wall coverings, plaster, drywall, plumbing fixtures, non-asbestos insulation
roofing shingles and other roof coverings
asphaltic pavement
glass
plastics that are not sealed in a manner that conceals other wastes
empty buckets ten gallons or less in size and having no more than one inch of residue remaining on the bottom
electrical wiring and components containing no hazardous liquids, and pipe and metals that are incidental to any of the above.

Solid waste that is not Construction and Demolition debris

Solid waste that is not construction and demolition debris (even if resulting from the construction, remodeling, repair and demolition of utilities, structures and roads and land clearing) includes, but is not limited to:

asbestos waste
garbage
corrugated container board
electrical fixtures containing hazardous liquids such as fluorescent light ballasts or transformers
fluorescent lights
carpeting, furniture
appliances
tires
drums
containers greater than ten gallons in size, any containers having more than one inch of residue remaining on the bottom and fuel tanks.

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