Queens County, NY Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)

The NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) collects residential trash and recycling in Queens on a set-out schedule that varies by sanitation district. Each address can look up its schedule using the DSNY Collection Schedule Lookup tool. Under the new set-out rules (Local Law 85 of 2023 and DSNY rulemaking finalized in 2023-2024), residential trash must be placed on the curb after 6 p.m. the night before collection or after 4 a.m. the morning of collection. Starting April 1, 2024, most 1 to 9 unit residential buildings must put trash in secure bins with lids, not loose black bags. Starting November 12, 2024, this expanded to include a DSNY-approved Official NYC Bin for most residential properties. Buildings with 10+ units transitioned on a later timeline, with a phased bin mandate expected through 2026. Recycling is collected once per week and sorted into two categories: paper in clear bags or blue bins, and metal/glass/plastic/cartons in clear bags or blue bins with green lids. Queens has 14 sanitation districts (QW1 through QW14 and Queens East equivalents) with collection Monday through Saturday except major holidays. After holidays, collection typically skips one day. DSNY also collects organic waste (food scraps, yard waste) under the curbside composting program, which became mandatory citywide on October 6, 2024, with enforcement fines starting April 1, 2025. Bulk items must be scheduled through 311 in advance.