The City of Syracuse now uses lidded trash carts for sanitation. The City rolled out new trash carts to all households in September 2023. With the program fully implemented, here is where residents can get questions answered about the new cart program. The new pickup system will improve service for residents; reduce trash and litter that is blown around the city; and, importantly, lower injuries to our sanitation workers.
Similar to the trash cart program, October 7 through October 19 residents will receive new recycling carts. The recycling carts will have lids and wheels. This program comes as OCRRA discontinues its blue bin program throughout Onondaga County. While blue bins have been utilized across the county for three decades, their open design has significantly contributed to litter problems in neighborhoods. The goal of the program is to provide residents with convenient, easy-to-use recycling carts while meeting industry standards and best practices. These changes in sanitation are improving services, reducing costs, and ensuring worker safety.
Residents can call Cityline at (315)448-2489 (CITY) with any questions or concerns and follow us on social media at @SYRCityline for ongoing tips on how to use your cart and keep our city clean.
Getting Started with Recycling Carts
Congratulations! Your new recycling cart has arrived. You must start using your cart immediately on your regular collection day.
Plan to place your recycling cart at the curb on your regular biweekly collection day after you receive your cart. Place your cart at the curb no earlier than 6:00 p.m. before your trash date and remove it from the street by 7:00 p.m. on your trash date. Here are the timeframes:
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Collection Day
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Earliest Set-Out Time
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Cart Must be Removed by:
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Monday
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Sunday 6:00 p.m.
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Monday 7:00 p.m.
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Tuesday
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Monday 6:00 p.m.
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Tuesday 7:00 p.m.
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Wednesday
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Tuesday 6:00 p.m.
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Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
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Thursday
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Wednesday 6:00 p.m.
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Thursday 7:00 p.m.
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Friday
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Thursday 6:00 p.m.
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Friday 7:00 p.m.
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Updated regulations for your recycling set-out.
To keep our City clean and help our sanitation crews, please follow these simple rules and be aware that failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in a violation notice and fine.
DO:
- Place only unbagged materials in your recycling carts. Bagged materials will not be collected.
- Securely close the cart lid to prevent litter and scavenging.
- On your designated recycling week, place your cart at the end of your driveway or in front of your house between the sidewalk and street on your regular collection day.
- Recyclable materials include paper, flattened cardboard and food boxes, metal cans, milk and juice jugs, glass jars and bottles, and plastic bottles and tubs. Learn more about recycling at ocrra.org/services/recycle/
- Call Cityline at 315-448-CITY (2489) if you have an item that does not fit in your cart to request a bulk pickup.
DON’T:
- Don’t use any container other than the City provided recycling cart.
- Don’t place recyclables in your trash cart.
- Don’t place prohibited items, such as household trash, yard waste, hazardous/toxic waste, paint, TVs and other electronics, demolition waste, medical/pathological waste, explosives or radioactive materials in your recycling cart. Find out how to manage these items at ocrra.org.
To learn more about using your new recycling cart, see the Frequently Asked Questions.
Still have questions or need language interpretation? Call (315) 448-CITY (2489).
2024 Biweekly Recycling Schedule
Second Cart Application
This application is necessary to request an additional trash cart for any property owner receiving sanitation services from the City of Syracuse. Please fill out the below application and submit it either by mail or in person at the City Payment Center.
Second Cart Application(PDF, 257KB)
Elderly and Disabled Exemption
The Department of Public Works currently offers assistance to those in need of an accommodation. Please call Cityline at (315) 448-2489 for information on about this service.
Download Exemption Form(PDF, 128KB)
Fines
Fines may be incurred for improper use of trash and recycling carts. All residents are required to use the trash and recycling carts provided by the City
DPW will not pick up trash and recycling that is improperly set out, and crews will issue a violation notice. Property owners will have 24 hours to pull back their setout from the curb to avoid having to pay the fine. Materials can then be set out properly for pickup the following week. Excess trash and recycling can also be transported to an Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency drop-off site. Locations and fee information for OCRRA drop-off site can be found at ocrra.org.
You may receive fines for Health & Sanitation Violations (illegal set-outs and/or cart violations) including:
Cart Violation
- Containers not pulled back
- Overflowing cart - lid not shut
- Trash not bagged
- Recycling bagged
- Improper containerization
- Early or late set out
Health and Sanitation Violation
- Improper separation of trash
- Excessive trash/construction debris
- Debris in roadway
- Mixed use property
- Overweight can/bag
- Litter & dumping
- Commercial trash in public view
For more information on Health and Sanitation Violations click here.
- Don’t place prohibited items, such as yard waste, hazardous/toxic waste, paint, TVs and other electronics, demolition waste, medical/pathological waste, explosives, or radioactive materials in your cart.
When is my trash and recycling day?