Syracuse, NY Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Unacceptable waste categories
- 17 listed
- Effective date
- January 1, 1991
- Mixing penalty
- $50.00 per occurrence
- First offense
- warning only
- Hazardous waste misdemeanor
- up to 1 year prison (§14-25)
Summary
Syracuse excludes seventeen categories of unacceptable waste from regular D.P.W. household pickup under Revised General Ordinances Section 14-18(f), including paint, pesticides, motor oil, batteries, hazardous waste, and propane tanks. Mixing any of these into a trash container is a violation carrying a $50.00 fine per occurrence after an initial warning.
(f)Unacceptable waste. In addition to the recyclable items mentioned above, the following items shall constitute unacceptable waste, unless otherwise determined by O.C.R.R.A, and are excluded from D.P.W. household waste collection effective January 1, 1991, except as otherwise provided herein:(1)Yard waste including brush, leaves, and grass clippings;(2)Construction and demolition debris as defined herein;(3)Insecticides and pesticides;(4)Paints, solvents, and thinners except latex-based paints which have been air dried;(5)Human and animal remains;(6)Animal or human waste, except if properly and securely wrapped and routinely deposited in household waste containers...(13)Hazardous waste;...(17)Hot or burning materials.(g)Inclusion of unacceptable waste with household, commercial, or industrial generated waste shall be a violation for which the fine shall be fifty dollars ($50.00) for each occurrence. Warnings may be issued by the commissioner for initial violations.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 41).
Full Breakdown
Section 14-18(f) carves seventeen categories of 'unacceptable waste' out of Syracuse's regular household collection, effective January 1, 1991. The excluded items include yard waste like brush, leaves, and grass clippings; construction and demolition debris; insecticides and pesticides; paints, solvents, and thinners, except air-dried latex paint; human and animal remains; acids, caustics, and poisons; explosives; motor and cutting oils; auto and household batteries; septic waste; cleaning fluids; hazardous waste; drugs; pressurized propane and compressed-gas containers; and hot or burning materials. 's preference for cloth diapers where practical.
directly rather than guess. 00 violation for each occurrence, though the commissioner may issue only a warning for a first-time offense. 00 unacceptable-waste fine under Section 14-18(g).
Violations & Fines
Setting out any of the seventeen unacceptable-waste categories, from pesticides to propane tanks, with regular household, commercial, or industrial trash is a $50.00 violation per occurrence under Section 14-18(g), though the commissioner can issue a warning instead for a first offense. Improperly disposing of hazardous waste specifically is a separate misdemeanor under Section 14-25, punishable by up to one year in prison.
Frequently Asked Questions
What items can't go in my regular trash can in Syracuse?
What's the fine for putting banned items in my trash in Syracuse?
Can I put wrapped pet waste in my regular trash in Syracuse?
Is throwing away hazardous waste worse than a $50 fine in Syracuse?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Syracuse
New York rules heatmap·Compare Syracuse to another location·View the New York trash & recycling overview
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