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Trash Carts

Overview

The City expanded the sanitation cart program citywide in September 2023. With the program in full force, here is where you can get all your 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.

Why Carts?

By following proven best practices from other municipalities and bringing its sanitation fleet and operations up to industry standard, the City can create safer work environments for sanitation crews and cleaner neighborhoods for our residents in a way that is convenient, consistent and equitable.

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.

#TrashTalk

Getting Started

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Congratulations! Your new trash cart has arrived. You must start using your cart immediately on your regular collection day.

Plan to place your trash cart at the curb on your regular 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:

Collection Day Earliest Set-Out Time Cart Must be Removed by:

Monday Sunday 6:00 p.m. Monday 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday Monday 6:00 p.m. Tuesday 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday Tuesday 6:00 p.m. Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
Thursday Wednesday 6:00 p.m. Thursday 7:00 p.m.
Friday Thursday 6:00 p.m. Friday 7:00 p.m.

Updated regulations for your trash set-out.

To keep our City Clean and help our sanitation crews, follow these simple rules. If not followed you may incur a fine.

Place only bagged waste in your trash carts. Loose trash will not be collected.
Securely close the cart lid to prevent litter and scavenging.
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.
Store your cart on the side of the house/garage, behind the house/garage, or in your garage when it is not your collection day.
Call Cityline (315-448-2489) if you have an item that does not fit in your cart.

DON’T

Don’t store your cart in front of your residence.
Don’t use any container other than the City provided cart. If you have more waste than you can fit into your cart, you may dispose of it yourself at an OCRRA drop-off site. More information at OCRRA.org.
Don’t place recyclables in your trash cart. Recycling carts will be rolled out to the City in 2024. Continue to use your current recycling container.
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 trash cart. Find out how to manage these items at OCRRA.org.

To learn more about using your new trash cart, see the Frequently Asked Questions page. Still have questions or need language interpretation? Call (315) 448-2489.

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 carts. All residents are required to use their new covered trash carts upon receiving them.

As of November 1, 2023 DPW will not pick up trash that is improperly set out, and crews will issue a citation notice. Property owners will have 24 hours to pull back their trash setout to avoid having to pay the fine. The trash can be set out properly for pickup the following week. Excess trash 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.

Fines are $100 for households that fail to correct violations after receiving a citation.

The requirements for trash setouts are:

All Trash must be bagged.

Trash must not overflow the cart.

On your regular collection day, place your cart at the end of your driveway or in front of your house between the sidewalk and street.
If possible, do store your cart on the side of the house or garage, behind the house or garage, or in your garage when it is not your collection day.
Call Cityline at (315)448-CITY (2489) if you have an item that does not fit in your cart.
Don’t place recyclables in your cart. Recycling carts will be rolled out to the city in 2024. Continue to use your current recycling container. Blue recycling containers can also be picked up at designated locations, follow the link below to learn where:
- Recycling Bin Pick Up Locations(PDF, 56KB)
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.