Dept. of Public Works (DPW)

Mandatory Recycling Guidelines for Curbside Pick-Up

Nothing larger than an official recycling bin may be placed at the curb for collection.
  
Only those residents using at least one City blue bag per calendar month shall put out recyclables. Trash must be “inside” the City blue bags.

Clear and colored glass food and beverage containers are recyclable. Discard lids and caps. Don't worry about removing labels, but remember - glass and all other containers should be thoroughly rinsed out. This is critical to the city's efforts to run an efficient program. Dirty containers will NOT be picked up.

Non-recyclable: plate glass, dishes, pottery, Pyrex, light bulbs, mirrors

Plastic Containers

Clean plastic containers – those with the numbers "1" through "7" stamped on the bottom without lids are recyclable. Foam meat trays and egg cartons are not recyclable.

Non-recyclable: medicine bottles, motor oil bottles, toys, styrofoam

Metal Containers

Recyclable metal containers include empty aerosol cans and those made of aluminum, metal and tin. Make sure cans are rinsed out. Detached lids can be disposed of with regular trash.

Non-recyclable: pots, pans, small appliances, silverware

Newspapers

CLEAN DRY newspaper and inserts, catalogs and magazines MUST be recycled. Place them in a paper bag (NO PLASTIC BAGS PLEASE) and lay it across the top of the "blue bin" on collection day. Opened mail, office paper, non-metallic wrapping paper, manila folders and telephone books are also recyclable – NOT IN PLASTIC BAGS.

Cardboard

CLEAN DRY CORRUGATED cardboard MUST be flat and tied in bundles no larger than 2' wide, 2' long and 12" high. PIZZA BOXES ARE NOT RECYCLABLE UNLESS CLEAN but may be placed next to your blue city bag. Cereal, pasta, cake mix, cracker, shoe and tissue boxes may be flattened and put in the paper bag with your newspapers. Remove plastic box liners. Paper egg cartons are also recyclable. Paper milk and juice cartons should be rinsed, drained and flattened if possible. Remove lids and straws from drink boxes.

Non-recyclable: wax coated cardboard, wet cardboard

Remember!

Trash and recycling must be at the curb by 7 a.m. on your trash day.

Improperly prepared trash and/or recyclables WILL NOT be collected. A sticker explaining the particular problems will be left with the uncollected trash. Uncollected trash, recyclables and/or garbage that is not removed from curbside within 24 hours will subject the landowner to a possible fine plus the cost of having the materials picked up!

Holidays

Holidays for trash collectors that will cause collection to be a day late:

• New Years Day
• Memorial Day
• Fourth of July
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

If/when the above holidays fall on Friday, Friday collection will be done on Thursday.

Important Contact Numbers:

• Cortland County Landfill: 607-756-8077
• Cortland County Recycle Center: 607-756-8077
• Trash Collector: 1-800-273-1567 and 277-3000