Tompkins County, NY Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Deadline
- 8:00 p.m. day of collection
- Governing law
- Tompkins County Code § 140-7
- First-offense fine
- $15 for waste generator's first violation
- Repeat penalty
- Up to $2,500 misdemeanor after 3 violations/24 mo
- Enforcement
- Solid Waste Manager, police, peace officers
Summary
Tompkins County Code § 140-7 requires anyone who sets a curbside recycling container out for pickup to remove the empty container from the curb, sidewalk or other collection spot by 8:00 p.m. on the day collection happens at that address. The same 8:00 p.m. deadline applies if a hauler refuses solid waste because recyclables were not separated out. The Solid Waste Manager and police enforce it.
Empty curbside recycling containers shall be removed from the curbside or other place of collection by the waste generator responsible for placing the recycling container at curbside no later than 8:00 p.m. the day on which collection is made from the premises. ... the person responsible for initially placing those materials for collection shall remove those materials from any curb, sidewalk, streetside or other designated collection place no later than 8:00 p.m. the day on which collection is scheduled for the premises.
Full Breakdown
Article I of Chapter 140, the county's Solid Waste Management and Recycling Law, puts the burden of curbside timing on the waste generator, not the hauler. the day collection is made at that premises. that same collection day rather than leave it curbside. Only a county recycling hauler or a licensed hauler may collect material left at curbside for a county-sponsored program (§ 140-7A); a resident who wants to arrange private reuse, sale or donation of recyclables cannot stage those materials curbside on or immediately before the scheduled collection day (§ 140-7D).
Enforcement runs through § 140-10: police officers, peace officers, the Solid Waste Manager and other county-designated officials may inspect containers and issue appearance tickets, and the county may also sue to enjoin noncompliance. A violation carries Article I's graduated fine schedule in § 140-10B: $15 for a waste generator's first offense, $30 for a second and $50 for each one after that, with $50, $100 or $250 fines for anyone other than the generator. Three violations within 24 months bumps later offenses to a misdemeanor punishable by up to $2,500.
Violations & Fines
Leaving an empty recycling container or refused solid waste at the curb past 8:00 p.m. on collection day violates § 140-7 and is enforceable under § 140-10. A waste generator's first offense costs $15, rising to $30 and then $50; anyone else pays $50, $100 or $250. Three violations in 24 months make later offenses a misdemeanor punishable by up to $2,500, and the county may also sue to force compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time must I remove my empty recycling bin from the curb in Tompkins County?
Who enforces the curbside removal deadline?
What happens if I keep leaving my empty bin out past 8:00 p.m.?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tompkins County
New York rules heatmap·Compare Tompkins County to another location·View the New York trash & recycling overview
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