Curbside Collection
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Residents who prefer to drop off their curbside recyclables may bring materials to the Recycling and Solid Waste Center (RSWC), at 160 Commercial Avenue in Ithaca during regular business hours. There is no disposal fee or permit required for dropping off recyclables.
The Public Drop-Off Area is provided for the convenience and safety of our customers. Only one pick-up truck load or less of garbage or acceptable recyclable materials may be taken to the Public Drop-Off Area per trip. To ease handling of your load, more than one pick-up truck load of recyclable materials or garbage must go to the Tipping Floors.
Please refer to the list below to determine what can be brought to the RSWC.
Acceptable Materials | Includes | Preparation | Limitations |
Curbside Recyclables | Recyclable mixed paper must be separated from recyclable mixed containers and placed in the proper container at the Drop-off area. | Must be kept separate from trash | |
Phones, TVs, stereos, copiers, fax machines, VCRs, and camcorders. | Items should be carefully placed in the designated location at the Reuse Building. | Residential Only | |
Computers, keyboards, monitors, mice, hard drives, printers, scanners and cables | Items should be carefully placed in the designated location at the Reuse Building. | Residential Only | |
Large and Small Appliances | Washers, dryers, *refrigerators, *freezers, *air conditioners, hot water heaters, *dehumidifiers, dishwashers, stoves, microwave ovens, toasters, toaster ovens, other items that are mostly metal. | Must unhinge and remove glass doors from appliance before recycling. | NO: Glass doors, such as those on commercial freezers and cold cases. |
Lead-Acid Batteries | Auto, marine, motorcycle, etc. | If leaking, place in plastic bag with absorbent material before recycling. Place on pallet. | Vehicle batteries only. Limit: 10 per load. |
Rechargeable Batteries | Ni-Cad, lithium, low mercury and silver (button) | Place in battery bucket at the public drop-off. | NO: Alkaline batteries (dispose of with household trash) |
Fluorescent Bulbs | 4' foot tubes and compact bulbs. | Items should be carefully placed in the designated location at the Public Drop-off Area. | NO: Broken bulbs. Residential only. |
Clean, wearable clothing, paired shoes, hats, purses, belts, scarves, other apparel and accessories, clean bedding (blankets, sheets, spreads), draperies, and towels. | Place items in the box located at the RSWC Public Drop-Off area. Items must be in clear bags. | NO: grease-stained, mildewed or wet items. | |
Althetic shoes ONLY. | Place items in the box located at the RSWC Public Drop-Off area. | NO: Metal parts, including cleats or eyelets, boots, sandals, flip-flops, dress shoes, or slippers. | |
Scrap Metal: Ferrous and non-ferrous household scrap | Includes metal furniture, pots and pans, toys, wheels, hub caps, fixtures, window and door frames, fence wire, drain pipes, pipes, tools, small engines, lawn mowers, chain saws, empty GRILL SIZE propane tanks and paint cans. | Remove non-metal handles from pots and pans, if possible. Paint cans must be completely empty and dry. Remove all upholstery from metal furniture. Small engine fuel tanks must be completely dry and empty–remove and discard cap. Store leftover or unused paint safely or donate to others. | NO: Paper, plastic, glass, textiles, upholstery, window screens, or hazardous materials. |
Leaves, grass clippings, and brush. | Limit: one pick-up truck load or less per trip. | NO: Brush larger than 6" in diameter. Check with your local municipality about yard waste collection service and schedules. |
*There is a $20 charge per unit, if Freon has to be removed.
SPECIAL NOTICE
All loads brought to or from the RSWC, whether recyclables or trash, must be securely covered. Collecting or scavenging materials at the RSWC is not allowed. Tompkins County reserves the right to inspect all vehicles containing solid waste that enter the Center.
