Brooklyn Trash Pickup & Garbage Schedule 2026: DSNY Collection Days, Recycling, Compost, Bulk Items and Holiday Help
Brooklyn trash pickup is handled by NYC Department of Sanitation, but there is no single boroughwide pickup day. Your exact garbage, recycling, and curbside compost schedule depends on your Brooklyn street address, building type, sanitation district, and holiday or snow-status changes. Use this guide to find your DSNY collection day, set materials out correctly, avoid fines, and decide what to do with bulk items, mattresses, electronics, appliances, batteries, paint, and yard waste.
Enter your ZIP code below — we'll take you straight to your city's official schedule. No searching, no confusion.
Quick Answer for Brooklyn Residents
To check Brooklyn trash pickup in 2026, use the official DSNY collection schedule lookup and enter your exact address. Compost is collected every week on your recycling day. Trash set-out rules changed for small residential buildings, and properties with 1 to 9 residential units must use secure-lidded bins for trash; starting June 1, 2026, the official NYC Bin rule applies to those properties.
Address, not ZIP alone
A Brooklyn ZIP code can include multiple DSNY routes. Use your full street address for the real trash, recycling, and compost schedule.
Evening before
Most materials should be set out the evening before collection and no later than midnight. The allowed start time depends on bin, bag, material, and building type.
Same day as recycling
Food scraps, food-soiled paper, leaf waste, and yard waste are collected weekly on the same day as recycling.
No appointment for most large items
Brooklyn residents can place up to 6 large items per collection day, but CFC appliances, e-waste, mattresses, and special waste have separate rules.
Call 311 inside NYC or 212-NEW-YORK / 212-639-9675 from outside NYC if the online lookup is difficult. Keep your building address, borough, apartment number, and collection issue ready before calling.
How to Find Your Brooklyn Trash Pickup Day by Address
People often search for “Brooklyn trash pickup schedule by ZIP code,” “garbage collection near me,” or “trash pickup tomorrow Brooklyn.” The practical answer is the same: Brooklyn routes are address-specific, so use the official DSNY tool instead of guessing from neighborhood names like Park Slope, Bushwick, Flatbush, Williamsburg, Crown Heights, Bay Ridge, Bed-Stuy, Canarsie, or Greenpoint.
- Open the DSNY collection schedule lookup. Use the official address form for trash, recycling, and compost collection.
- Enter the full street address. A ZIP code alone is not enough because routes can change by block.
- Write down each stream. Note trash days separately from recycling/compost days, because large items may depend on the stream.
- Check the set-out time. Small buildings, larger buildings, bins, bags, cardboard, bulk items, and CFC appliances have different set-out windows.
- Check holidays and storm alerts. NYC may suspend or delay collection for holidays, winter snow operations, or other service events.
- Save a reminder. Add night-before reminders for trash, recycling, compost, bulk items, and special waste so you do not search again every week.
Brooklyn Daily Pickup Tools: Save This Page and Reuse It
These quick tools are built for real Brooklyn problems: “Can I set this out tonight?”, “Is this trash or special waste?”, “Do I need a bin or bag?”, and “Does the holiday affect my day?” They are practical helpers, not replacements for the official DSNY lookup.
Use the set-out helper the night before pickup, the item helper before cleaning out an apartment, and the holiday helper before long weekends. Brooklyn collection can be correct by address and still fail if the material, bin, timing, or holiday rule is wrong.
Brooklyn Garbage Collection Schedule Overview
Brooklyn residents should think in separate streams instead of one “trash day.” Trash, recycling, compost, large items, CFC appliances, e-waste, and special waste each follow a different path.
| Material | How Brooklyn pickup works | Best action |
|---|---|---|
| Regular trash | Address-based DSNY collection. Small buildings must use secure-lidded bins and official NYC Bins in 2026. | Use the official lookup, then follow your building-type set-out time. |
| Recycling | Required citywide. Paper/cardboard and metal/glass/plastic/cartons must be separated from trash. | Use clear bags or labeled bins; flatten and tie cardboard when bundling. |
| Curbside compost | Collected weekly on your recycling day. Separation is mandatory citywide. | Use labeled secure-lidded bins or DSNY brown bins for food scraps, food-soiled paper, leaves, and yard waste. |
| Bulk / large items | Free curbside removal for up to 6 large items per collection day; no appointment for most bulk items. | Metal and rigid plastic items go with recycling; non-recyclable items go on trash-only day. |
| Mattress / box spring / futon | Collected with trash, but must be sealed in a plastic bag to help prevent bed bug spread. | Use a plastic mattress bag; do not use red or orange bags. |
| Fridge / freezer / AC / dehumidifier | CFC or Freon appliance needs a DSNY CFC recovery appointment before pickup. | Call 311 or use the online CFC request; only tagged appliances are collected. |
| TV / monitor / computer / printer | E-waste is not legal in regular trash or recycling. | Use e-waste drop-off, recycling events, or approved electronics disposal options. |
| Paint / batteries / motor oil / bulbs | Special waste drop-off or SAFE disposal route. | Use the Brooklyn Greenpoint special-waste site or a DSNY event where applicable. |
Brooklyn Set-Out Times: What Time to Put Trash Out in NYC
The most common Brooklyn sanitation fine is not a complicated recycling issue. It is often timing: trash, recycling, compost, cardboard, bulk items, and appliances placed outside too early, too late, or in the wrong container.
| Building / material | Set-out rule | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Residential buildings with 1–9 units | Place trash after 6 PM in a bin of 55 gallons or less with a secure lid. | Starting June 1, 2026, official NYC Bins are required for trash set-out. |
| Residential buildings with 10+ units | Use secure-lidded bins after 6 PM, or bags after 8 PM. | All waste should be out no later than midnight unless a special program applies. |
| Recycling | Use labeled secure-lidded bins after 6 PM, or clear bags after 8 PM. | Cardboard can be flattened and bundled; do not use cardboard boxes as bins. |
| Bundled cardboard and bulk items | Set out any time between 6 PM and midnight. | Use the correct pickup stream: metal/rigid plastic with recycling, other non-recyclable bulk with trash. |
| CFC appliances | Set out between 6 PM and midnight the evening before the scheduled CFC appointment. | DSNY tags the item after CFC removal; tagged items are picked up on the next recycling day. |
| Approved alternate set-out buildings | Set out only between 4 AM and 7 AM on collection day. | This applies only to approved enrolled multiunit buildings; others must follow normal residential rules. |
If your bins are picked up before 4 PM, retrieve them by 9 PM. If collection happens after 4 PM, retrieve them by 9 AM the next morning. Leaving containers out too long can create another problem even when pickup was successful.
NYC Bin Rules for Brooklyn in 2026
A major 2026 search intent is “NYC official trash bins Brooklyn.” The rule matters most for smaller residential properties. Buildings with 1 to 9 residential units must use official NYC Bins for trash set-out starting June 1, 2026. The warning period runs through September 7, and full enforcement begins September 8, 2026.
Official trash bin required
Use official NYC Bins for non-recyclable trash set-out. Trash bins must be 55 gallons or less with secure lids.
Official bins optional
Official recycling and compost bins are available, but labeled secure-lidded bins up to 55 gallons can still be used for recycling and compost.
Some owners may qualify
Owners of one- and two-family homes receiving the STAR property tax benefit may be eligible for a trash-bin reimbursement through NYC Finance.
Empire Bins in Brooklyn: What Larger Buildings Should Know
Brooklyn residents in larger buildings may hear about “Empire Bins” and wonder whether their pickup day changed. DSNY says Empire Bins are on-street sealed trash containers for larger apartment buildings and schools. They are assigned to specific buildings, opened with key cards, and emptied by side-loading DSNY trucks. Your building’s trash schedule may not change, but the set-out process does.
Parts of CD2 are already involved
Brooklyn Community District 2 includes areas such as Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Vinegar Hill, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Boerum Hill, Fulton Ferry, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard area.
Large items still go curbside
If something bulky cannot fit into an Empire Bin, leave it in front of the building as directed. Do not leave trash bags outside the Empire Bin or block the container.
Brooklyn Recycling Schedule and Sorting Rules
Brooklyn recycling pickup is address-based, and residents must separate recyclables from trash. Recyclable items include paper and cardboard plus metal, glass, rigid plastic, and beverage cartons. There is no limit to the amount of recycling you can set out, but it must be set out correctly.
Keep it clean and organized
- Flatten corrugated cardboard.
- Bundle cardboard with twine when not using a bin or clear bag.
- Use clear plastic bags or a labeled secure-lidded bin.
- Do not use cardboard boxes as recycling bins.
Separate from household trash
- Use clearly labeled bins or clear bags.
- Keep recyclables separate from trash.
- Do not hide e-waste, batteries, paint, or special waste in recycling.
- Check DSNY disposal guidance for questionable items.
Brooklyn Compost Pickup: Food Scraps, Yard Waste and Food-Soiled Paper
Curbside composting is available citywide and collected every week on your recycling day. Brooklyn residents must separate compostable material from trash, including food scraps, food-soiled paper, leaf waste, and yard waste.
| Compost material | Brooklyn curbside path | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Food scraps | Compost bin / DSNY brown bin | Meat, bones, dairy, prepared foods, shells, and food scraps are accepted. |
| Food-soiled paper | Compost bin | Greasy uncoated paper plates and pizza boxes may go with compost. |
| Leaves and yard waste | Compost collection day | Use paper lawn bags, clear plastic bags, or labeled secure-lidded bins. |
| Twigs and branches | Bundled next to bins and bags | Bundle with twine; large wood debris should be 2 feet by 4 feet or smaller and not over 40 pounds. |
| Wrappers, diapers, pet waste, medical waste, foam | Not compost | These are not accepted in curbside compost. |
Brooklyn Bulk Trash Pickup: Large Items, Mattresses, Furniture and Appliances
A lot of Brooklyn searches ask whether a couch, mattress, dresser, rug, fridge, TV, or cabinet needs an appointment. In NYC, most large items no longer use pickup appointments, and residents can set out up to 6 large items per collection day. The rule changes depending on the item type.
| Large item | Set-out stream | Brooklyn rule |
|---|---|---|
| Sofa, dresser, wood furniture, non-metal furniture | Trash-only day | Set out between 6 PM and midnight before your trash-only collection day. |
| Metal item, rigid plastic item, metal furniture, bicycle | Recycling day | Set out with recycling, not trash, because DSNY treats metal and rigid plastic as recyclable large items. |
| Mattress, box spring, futon | Trash / bulk day | Must be sealed in a plastic bag; do not use red or orange bags. |
| Rugs and carpets | Usually trash-only day | Check item-specific rules; large rolled items should be prepared so crews can handle them safely. |
| Refrigerator, freezer, AC, dehumidifier | CFC appointment first | Call 311 or submit a CFC request before set-out. Only tagged appliances are collected. |
| TV, monitor, computer, printer | Not regular trash | Use e-waste disposal. It is illegal to place covered electronics in trash or recycling. |
Brooklyn Special Waste, E-Waste, Batteries, Paint and Drop-Off
Some items should never go in regular Brooklyn trash or recycling. Electronics, rechargeable batteries, lithium-ion batteries, paint, motor oil, fluorescent bulbs, e-cigarettes, and mercury-containing devices can create fires, toxic exposure, and rejected collection.
TVs and computers are not trash
TVs, monitors, computers, laptops, printers, tablets, e-readers, game consoles, and similar covered electronics need an e-waste route.
Fire risk item
Rechargeable and lithium-ion batteries should not go in trash or recycling. Follow DSNY battery preparation and drop-off guidance.
Brooklyn special waste site
Brooklyn’s special-waste site is in Greenpoint at 459 North Henry Street, with entrance guidance near Kingsland Avenue.
| Drop-off item | Accepted path | Limit / note |
|---|---|---|
| Aerosols, batteries, e-cigarettes, vape pens | Special Waste Drop-Off | Battery terminals may need clear tape or individual bagging depending on type. |
| Electronics covered by NYS disposal ban | Special Waste Drop-Off or e-waste event | Do not set TVs, monitors, computers, or printers out as regular trash. |
| Fluorescent bulbs and CFLs | Special Waste Drop-Off | Handle carefully to avoid breakage. |
| Motor oil and transmission fluid | Special Waste Drop-Off | Up to 10 quarts per visit. |
| Paint | Special Waste Drop-Off | Up to 5 gallons per visit. |
| Passenger car tires | Special Waste Drop-Off | Up to 4 tires per visit. |
CFC and Freon Appliances in Brooklyn: Fridge, Freezer, AC and Dehumidifier
Do not place a refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner, dehumidifier, water cooler, or wine cooler out like a regular bulk item. Appliances that cool or chill can contain CFC/Freon and need a DSNY recovery appointment before final pickup.
- Make a CFC appointment. Call 311 or submit the online DSNY CFC recovery request. Up to 10 appliances can be scheduled per appointment.
- Prepare refrigerators and freezers safely. Remove hinges and locks as a safety precaution for children and animals.
- Set out after 6 PM. Place the appliance at the curb the night before the appointment with the back facing the street.
- Wait for the DSNY tag. DSNY removes the CFC and tags the appliance. Sanitation workers collect tagged appliances on your next recycling day.
- Check the refrigerant warning. Some newer R600a or R32 appliances cannot be collected through the normal CFC process and require a manufacturer or private disposal option.
Brooklyn Yard Waste, Leaves, Branches and Christmas Trees
Leaf and yard waste separation is mandatory. Brooklyn residents can set plant, leaf, and yard waste out for curbside composting. That includes flowers, house plants, leaves, twigs, branches, and grass clippings when prepared correctly.
Use compost collection
Set out leaves in paper lawn and leaf bags, clear plastic bags, or a labeled secure-lidded compost bin.
Bundle correctly
Branches and limbs should be bundled with twine or rope, 2 feet by 4 feet or smaller, and not over 40 pounds.
Remove lights, ornaments, tinsel, and stands. Natural trees are set out for curbside compost collection and should not be bagged. Artificial trees go out as garbage, with metal parts removed for recycling where possible.
Brooklyn Trash Pickup Holiday Schedule 2026
During NYC sanitation holidays, Brooklyn trash, recycling, and compost collection can be suspended or delayed. DSNY tells residents to check the holiday page, 311, press releases, and service updates near the holiday because exact instructions can change.
| 2026 DSNY holiday | Date | Brooklyn resident action |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thursday, January 1 | Check DSNY holiday instructions; if collection is suspended, expect backlog and follow official set-out guidance. |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Monday, January 19 | Verify whether your normal Monday route is affected before placing materials out. |
| Lincoln’s Birthday | Thursday, February 12 | Use the holiday page near the date for final trash, recycling, and compost guidance. |
| Washington’s Birthday / Presidents’ Day | Monday, February 16 | Check before set-out, especially if Monday is your trash or compost/recycling day. |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 25 | DSNY announced no collection on Memorial Day; normal Monday material may be placed Monday evening for collection beginning Tuesday. |
| Juneteenth | Friday, June 19 | DSNY announced no collection on Juneteenth; normal Friday material may be placed Friday evening for collection beginning Saturday. |
| Independence Day | Saturday, July 4 | Check the official holiday page because Saturday routes and backlog handling can vary. |
| Labor Day | Monday, September 7 | Verify Monday collection status before placing carts, bins, bags, bulk, or compost out. |
| Italian Heritage Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day | Monday, October 12 | Check DSNY holiday guidance close to the date. |
| Election Day | Tuesday, November 3 | Do not rely on a repeating phone reminder without checking official DSNY status. |
| Veterans Day | Wednesday, November 11 | Check the official holiday page if Wednesday is your collection day. |
| Thanksgiving | Thursday, November 26 | Holiday backlog is common; confirm the DSNY instruction before setting out Thursday material. |
| Christmas | Friday, December 25 | Verify Friday trash, recycling, and compost instructions before placing material out. |
Missed Trash Pickup in Brooklyn: What to Do Before Reporting
Do not report a missed pickup too early. NYC accepts missed trash, recycling, or compost reports starting at 8 AM the day after your collection day. DSNY will not accept a missed report if collection was suspended or delayed, if items were set out incorrectly, if they were out on the wrong day, or if they were not curbside before midnight the day before pickup.
Before filing a 311 report
- Was it your correct address-based collection day?
- Was the material set out before midnight?
- Did you use the correct bin, bag, or bundle rule?
- Was there a DSNY holiday, snow operation, or service suspension?
- Was it the correct stream: trash, recycling, compost, bulk, CFC, or special waste?
- Was the item rejected because it needed a bag, appointment, or drop-off route?
Use NYC311 after 8 AM next day
If everything was set out correctly and DSNY still missed it, report the missed collection through NYC311. Keep the items at the curb until they are collected after your report.
Brooklyn Apartments, Co-ops, Condos, Supers and Building Staff
Brooklyn has many brownstones, small multi-family homes, co-ops, condos, rentals, NYCHA buildings, and large apartment buildings. Your personal reminder is useful, but the building’s waste system controls what you should actually do.
1–9 residential units
Trash must be set out in secure-lidded bins, and official NYC Bins are required for trash in 2026.
10+ residential units
Building staff may use bins, bag set-out, storage rooms, alternate set-out programs, or Empire Bins depending on the property.
Compost storage area
Owners and managers of buildings with 4 or more units must provide a designated storage area with clearly labeled compost bins.
If you live in a larger building, ask the super or property manager where to put compost, recycling, bulk items, e-waste, and mattresses. Do not assume the curb rule for a one-family home applies to your building.
Helpful Video: NYC Curbside Setout of Recycling and Trash
Use this video section as a quick refresher for residents who want a visual explanation of how curbside trash and recycling set-out works in NYC.
Always use the official DSNY written rules for final set-out times, bin requirements, and holiday instructions because rules can change after a video is published.
Official Brooklyn / NYC Trash Pickup Links
Use the right official page for the right task. The biggest time-waster is opening a recycling page when you actually need missed collection, or opening the collection lookup when you need CFC appliance pickup.
Related Trash-Pickup.org Guides
These internal links are included because they help Brooklyn readers solve related tasks, compare big-city rules, and move to deeper large-item or tool pages.
Resident Search Intent Covered in This Brooklyn Guide
This page is built around how Brooklyn residents actually search: pickup day by address, trash pickup near me, recycling schedule, compost pickup, holiday delays, set-out time, official NYC Bin rules, missed pickup, bulk trash, mattress disposal, e-waste, and special waste drop-off. Each intent is answered with a section, table, checklist, tool, FAQ, or official link instead of a keyword list.
“What day is pickup?”
The answer is address-specific, so the guide pushes residents to the DSNY schedule lookup and explains why ZIP codes and neighborhood guesses fail.
“What time can I put it out?”
The set-out section separates 1–9 unit buildings, 10+ unit buildings, recycling, cardboard, bulk, CFC appliances, and alternate set-out buildings.
“Why wasn’t it collected?”
The missed-pickup section explains the 8 AM next-day report rule and the checks that prevent unnecessary or rejected 311 reports.
Brooklyn Trash Pickup Schedule FAQ
How do I find my Brooklyn trash pickup schedule for 2026?
Use the official DSNY collection schedule lookup and enter your exact Brooklyn street address. A ZIP code or neighborhood name is not reliable enough because routes can differ by block.
Is Brooklyn trash pickup the same day everywhere?
No. Brooklyn does not have one boroughwide trash day. Pickup depends on your address and DSNY route, and holiday or snow operations can change service.
What time can I put trash out in Brooklyn?
For residential buildings with 1 to 9 units, trash should be placed out after 6 PM in a secure-lidded bin of 55 gallons or less. Larger buildings may use secure-lidded bins after 6 PM or bags after 8 PM. All waste should be out by midnight unless an approved alternate set-out program applies.
Do Brooklyn small buildings need official NYC Bins in 2026?
Yes. Properties with 1 to 9 residential units are required to use official NYC Bins for trash set-out starting June 1, 2026. The warning period runs through September 7, and full enforcement begins September 8, 2026.
When is compost picked up in Brooklyn?
Compost is picked up every week on your recycling day. Use a labeled secure-lidded bin or DSNY brown bin for food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard waste.
Can I put a sofa or dresser out with regular Brooklyn trash?
Most non-recyclable large furniture can be set out on your trash-only day. NYC allows up to 6 large items per collection day. Metal and rigid plastic large items should go with recycling instead.
Do I need an appointment for Brooklyn bulk trash?
Most large items no longer require pickup appointments. CFC appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers still require a CFC recovery appointment before collection.
How do I throw away a mattress in Brooklyn?
Set out a mattress, box spring, or futon with trash/bulk collection, but seal it fully in a plastic bag first. Do not use red or orange bags.
Can I put a TV or computer in Brooklyn trash?
No. Covered electronics such as TVs, monitors, computers, laptops, printers, tablets, and many video devices are e-waste and should not go in regular trash or recycling.
Where is the Brooklyn special waste drop-off site?
The Brooklyn Special Waste Drop-Off site is in Greenpoint at 459 North Henry Street, with entrance guidance near Kingsland Avenue. Check the official DSNY page before visiting for hours, closures, accepted items, limits, and residency proof.
When can I report missed trash pickup in Brooklyn?
You can report missed trash, recycling, or compost collection starting at 8 AM the day after your collection day. Do not report on the same day, and first check whether there was a holiday, snow operation, wrong set-out time, or incorrect material.
Does Brooklyn recycling get collected on holidays?
Holiday service can change. Check the DSNY holiday schedule near the date. If your normal collection day falls on a holiday, follow the official holiday instructions before setting out recycling.
Are Brooklyn apartments and co-ops different from small homes?
Yes. Large apartment buildings, co-ops, condos, and buildings with supers may have storage rooms, alternate set-out programs, private staff procedures, or Empire Bins. Ask building management before using curbside rules meant for a small home.
Is Trash-Pickup.org the official DSNY site?
No. Trash-Pickup.org is an independent resident help guide. For live collection days, service alerts, enforcement rules, and official decisions, use DSNY or NYC311 links on this page.
Final Brooklyn Resident Summary
For Brooklyn trash pickup in 2026, start with the DSNY address lookup, not a neighbor’s calendar. Trash, recycling, and compost are address-based, and compost is collected weekly on your recycling day. Small residential buildings must use secure-lidded bins for trash, and official NYC Bins are required for 1 to 9 unit properties starting June 1, 2026.
Set material out at the correct time, keep recycling and compost separate, bag mattresses, schedule CFC appliance recovery, keep electronics and batteries out of regular trash, and use NYC311 only after checking timing, holiday, snow, and set-out rules. That is the simplest way to avoid missed pickups, fines, and repeated Brooklyn sanitation problems.
Franklin TN Trash Tools
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