Trash & Recycling in Cayuga County, NY (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Cayuga County, New York.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Cayuga County lets solid waste collectors refuse to pick up trash that still contains recyclables, as long as they clearly label the rejected waste with the reason. The County Health Department's Public Health Director enforces the recycling program and can inspect disposal facilities to verify compliance.
Collectors May Reject Unsorted Trash in Cayuga County
Some RestrictionsCayuga County Code § 230-13
A. Solid waste collectors may choose not to collect solid wastes which contain recyclables. However, such collectors shall clearly label uncollected wastes with an explanation of rejection. ... ... D. The County reserves the right to enter solid waste disposal facilities for the purpose of verifying compliance with this article upon twenty-four-hour prior notice to the facility operator. The op...
Recycling Requirements
Cayuga County Code Chapter 230 requires every person generating solid waste destined for a county disposal facility to separate recyclables before disposal. Solid waste haulers, public and private, must offer residents and businesses recycling opportunities for every source-separated material, and no recyclable material may be buried at any county disposal facility. The Cayuga County Health Department enforces the program.
Cayuga County Curbside Recycling Rules
Some RestrictionsCayuga County Code §§ 230-10, 230-11, 230-12, 230-16
§ 230-10. Source separation required. Source separation shall be required of each and every person in the County of Cayuga producing solid waste destined for a disposal facility within Cayuga County. § 230-11. Recycling opportunities required. Public and private entities performing solid waste collection services shall provide recycling opportunities for residents and businesses for all source-...
Illegal Dumping
It's unlawful to bring solid waste that originated outside Cayuga County into the county for disposal or burning at a landfill, incinerator or waste-to-energy facility, or to run a transfer station that ships in outside waste for out-of-county disposal. Violators face up to $10,000 in fines and a year in jail per offense, with each day a separate violation.
Cayuga County Bans Importing Outside Solid Waste
Heavy RestrictionsCayuga County Code §§ 230-3, 230-4
§ 230-3. Regulations. ... A. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, partnership or other legal entity to bring into Cayuga County or cause to be brought into Cayuga County, for the purpose of disposal or burning at an incinerator, waste-to-energy facility or landfill, any solid waste which originated or was collected outside the territorial limits of Cayuga County. ... ... § 23...
Yard Waste Collection
Cayuga County's recycling law classifies yard wastes, grass clippings, leaves, garden debris and brush as 'recyclables' under Chapter 230, so anyone producing them must source-separate them from other trash and can't have them buried at a county disposal facility. Violations carry the article's escalating fine schedule.
Yard Waste Counts as Recyclable in Cayuga County
Some RestrictionsCayuga County Code §§ 230-9, 230-16
RECYCLABLES Glass jars and bottles, tin cans, aluminum, plastic containers and yard wastes. Definitions listed below are subject to change according to market conditions. ... ... E. Yard wastes, grass clippings, leaves, garden debris and brush. ... ... § 230-16. Penalties for offenses. ... ... B. A violation of any provision of this article shall constitute a violation punishable on conviction ...
Recycling Rules
Every person in Cayuga County producing solid waste bound for a county disposal facility must source-separate recyclables under Chapter 230, and every collection service, public or private, must offer residents and businesses a way to recycle those separated materials. Buried recyclables are barred outright from any county disposal facility.
Cayuga County Requires Source-Separated Recycling
Some RestrictionsCayuga County Code §§ 230-10, 230-11, 230-12
§ 230-10. Source separation required. Source separation shall be required of each and every person in the County of Cayuga producing solid waste destined for a disposal facility within Cayuga County. § 230-11. Recycling opportunities required. Public and private entities performing solid waste collection services shall provide recycling opportunities for residents and businesses for all source-...
All Cayuga County ordinances
See every category we cover for Cayuga County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Cayuga County Ordinance Hub →