West Haven, CT Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)

Chapter 119, Article I (Ord. No. 196, adopted 2-14-1983) governs regular trash service. Section 119-1(D) makes the Department of Public Works responsible for collection, removal and disposal of garbage, refuse and other waste material from all private dwellings in the city. The code defines private dwellings to include residential condominiums and excludes apartments and cooperative housing ownership. Condominium refuse is collected under policies set by the Director of Public Works, including method, placement and times, and the collection shall not exceed one pickup per week per condominium.

Industrial, business and apartment buildings of more than four dwelling units handle their own collection, which § 119-1(E) makes the property owner's responsibility. Private collectors serving commercial buildings, apartments and condominiums work under the jurisdiction of the Director of Public Works.

Each householder must provide sufficient approved containers to hold all garbage, refuse and other waste material between the regularly scheduled Public Works Department collections. An approved container has no ragged or sharp edges, holds no more than 30 gallons and weighs no more than 70 pounds. Metal or plastic, disposable or nondisposable, all qualify, and nonconforming containers are not collected in the regular rubbish collections.

Containers go at the curbline, or the edge of the roadway where there is no curb, and no earlier than 24 hours preceding the day of collection. Ord. No. 356 (5-28-1996) added the 24-hour limit. Recyclables are collected Monday through Friday on the same day as solid waste under § 119-13(D).

Section 119-3 covers oversized items, all collected at times established by the Commissioner of Public Works. Bulk refuse measures more than three by three feet by three feet but not more than six feet in any direction, or weighs more than 70 pounds but not more than 300 pounds. Appliances such as washers, dryers, stoves, refrigerators and hot-water heaters are a separate class. Lumber and brush must be cut to six feet or less and tied in bundles not exceeding 70 pounds. Hazardous refuse, including containers of warm or hot ashes, is not collected (§ 119-2).