Syracuse, NY Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Set-out window
- No earlier than 8:00 p.m. night before pickup
- Removal deadline
- Off curb by 7:00 p.m. collection day
- Container misuse fine
- $25.00 per violation
- Mixed-waste fine
- Warning, then $50.00 for repeat offense
- Enforcing agency
- Department of Public Works (D.P.W.)
- Compliance reward
- Up to $50.00, capped 12/year citywide
Summary
Syracuse requires every household to source-separate glass, metal, newspaper and certain plastics into city- or county-issued recycling containers. Recyclables go out no earlier than 8:00 p.m. the night before pickup and must be off the curb by 7:00 p.m. on collection day; mixing recyclables into trash risks a fine.
(d) Recyclable materials. Every household waste generator in the city of Syracuse shall source separate recyclable materials as defined herein. Separated materials must be placed in approved recycling containers either provided for by the city, county, Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency, or a licensed private hauler... (e) Recyclable collection... (1) Recyclable materials shall be set out at the curb in recycling containers approved by D.P.W. preferably on the same day but in no event sooner than 8:00 p.m. of the day before the day scheduled for household waste collection... Residents shall remove containers from the curb by 7 p.m. on the day of collection. (2) Containers shall remain the property of Onondaga County. It shall be a violation punishable by a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for a person to: (1) remove a recycling container from the city; (2) willfully destroy a recycling container; (3) dispose of a recycling container other than by returning such container to the city; (4) use such container for other than the temporary storage of recyclable material.
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
Under Revised General Ordinances § 14-18(d), every household waste generator in the city must source separate recyclable materials, defined to include glass jars and bottles (caps removed), ferrous and nonferrous metal, bundled dry newspaper, and HDPE/PET plastics with lids removed. ), supplied by the city, Onondaga County, or the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency, or by a licensed private hauler. on collection day. Newspapers must be kept separated from other recyclables. 00 fine. 00 penalty for a second or repeated offense. 00 per household (capped at twelve awards citywide per calendar year) to residents found in compliance; city officers, elected officials and city employees are ineligible for these awards.
A second container is issued free if the original is lost or stolen, but any further replacement must be paid for by the household at a cost set by the commissioner.
Violations & Fines
Placing recyclables in regular trash containers draws a warning on the first occurrence and a $50.00 fine for repeat offenses under § 14-18(e)(6). Misusing, removing, or destroying a city/county recycling container is a separate $25.00 violation under § 14-18(e)(2). The commissioner may also issue warnings for general noncompliance before escalating to fines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials does Syracuse require residents to recycle?
When can I put my recycling bin at the curb in Syracuse?
What happens if I put recyclables in my trash can in Syracuse?
Who owns the recycling containers issued 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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