dsweet@cityofithaca.org

Residents need to place trash at the curb the night before the scheduled collection day as the crews start their day at 4:00 A.M.  Criteria for placement of trash is as follows:

Trash cans or plastic bags may be used.  There are no specific rules governing the type of can or bag that may used.

TRASH TAGS

Trash collection is paid for through the purchase of trash tags.  Residents can purchase tags at City Hall or at any of the local grocery stores.  There are two sizes of trash tags:  Half Tags are for 20 pounds of trash; in 2008, a sheet of 6 tags costs $15.00. Full Tags are for 35 pounds of trash; in 2008, a sheet of six (6) tags costs $24.00.  Whole tag strips are to be used; tags torn in half will not be accepted.

One tag is needed for each can or each bag of trash that is placed at the curb.  If more than one bag of trash is put in a can, be sure that the total weight of all the bags does not exceed the weight on the tag.

The tag must be placed around the neck of the bag or on the bag itself.

If trash cans are used, be sure to place the tag on the handle of the can so that it can be readily seen by the collectors.  The weight of a can containing multiple bags/tags cannot exceed 50 pounds.

HOLIDAY TRASH COLLECTION:

Trash is not collected on the major holidays:  New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Trash collection will be a date late for the remainder of the week including Saturday.  All other holidays the trash collection will be on the normal schedule.

RECYCLING:

Recycling is collected in the City of Ithaca every other week on the same day as trash collection.  More information about RECYCLING can be obtained by calling the TOMPKINS COUNTY SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DIVISION at 273-6632.   There is no fee or tag needed for this service, and Recycling bins may be obtained at 122 Commercial Avenue, Ithaca, NY.  Their website is: 

http://www.tompkins-co.org/solidwaste/main.html

Or

Look in the current telephone book:  Verizon SuperPages for the current year.  In the back of the book, next to the last page in the Yellow Page section, there is information about items that can be recycled, and how to place items at the curb. 

YARD WASTE:

NOTE:  LEAVES AND GRASS CLIPPINGS ARE NOT TO BE RAKED INTO THE STREET. 

Yard waste is collected in the City of Ithaca on a regular basis from April 1^st through late fall.  Once snow falls, crews work on snow removal and yard waste collection is suspended.  There is no tag or fee required for yard waste collection.

Yard waste is collected every other week on the weeks opposite Recycling weeks.

Yard waste may also be taken to the Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division at 122 Commercial Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850. 

Criteria for placement of yard waste is:

Only natural materials are considered yard waste (grass, leaves, branches, brush and the like).   Yard waste must be placed in garbage cans (with the lids off) or in untied plastic bags.  All brush must be tied in bundles.  No brush or branches can be longer than four (4) feet in length, and no branch can be larger than two (2) inches in diameter.  No bundle or container should exceed fifty (50) pounds.