Sanitation & Garbage Collection




Garbage Collection
All residential properties in the City of Elmira receive garbage collection unless the property owner has filed an opt-out or exemption form in the Assessor's Office:

• You can OPT IN anytime if you do not receive garbage collection and are not currently paying the fee and receiving the service. The City Chamberlain's office will pro-rate your fee for the remainder of the year.
• You can OPT OUT anytime to eliminate the fee and garbage pickup. The City Chamberlain's office will pro-rate whatever amount you may or may not be due. You only need to file once but you must opt in to resume pick-up.
• You can file an EXEMPTION by March 1st for 1 or more non-rentable and vacant units in a multi unit property. Inspection may be required. You must sign a form stating you will notify the City of any change in status for the non-rentable unit(s). Each unit for which you claim an exemption must have been empty for at least six months prior to March 1st.
  

1. There is a six (6) bag limit each week, per unit. This includes solid waste, leaves, and grass clippings. ALL garbage must be in bags. The City does not accept loose solid waste in garbage cans.
   
   WINTER MONTHS: For our workers' safety, do not place solid waste and/or recycling bins on the snow banks. Place them in the driveway approach or in an area that has been shoveled.
   

   OOPS! Too many bags! More than 6 bags will be tagged with a sticker that informs you of the problem

   
   
2. The weight limit for each solid waste bag is thirty pounds (30 lbs).
   
   
3. Broken toys, empty oil cans, and flowerpots are to be placed in solid waste bags.
   
   
4. The blue recycling bin is to be placed at the curb each week along with the solid waste bags.
   
   
   The blue bin should be placed out with your garbage each week -even if you have no recyclables
   
   Place flattened corrugated cardboard next to the blue bin.
   
   
   
   
5. The only cardboard that is recyclable is "corrugated" (2 layers of cardboard with a wavy section between layers). The cardboard must be flattened and placed next to the blue recycling bin at the curb - unbound. All other cardboard is not recyclable and must be cut or broken down and placed in solid waste bags.
   
   The exception: pizza boxes are corrugated, but are considered food contaminated. Pizza boxes must be broken down and placed in solid waste bags.
   
   Cardboard should not be placed out in inclement weather.
   
   
6. All metal cans must be rinsed out.
   
   
7. Newspapers, magazines, etc. must be in a brown or plastic bag and placed on top of the blue recycling bin. (Do not put out in inclement weather)
   
   Place newspapers in bags on top of all other items in the blue bin.
   
   
8. Glass bottles are to be rinsed out. The labels may be left on. Do not put broken glass in recycling bins.
   
   
9. Paint cans must have lids removed and the can must be empty and dry and placed in your solid waste bags.
   
   
10. Disposing of garbage not generated from your property is illegal dumping and will be reported to the Elmira Police Department.

»Download and print a handout that explains the rules and regulations...
»more from the Chemung County Solid Waste Management District...

Dial-A-Truck
If you have excessive yard and organic wastes that exceeds your six bag limit, you can use the Dial-A-Truck program for easier disposal. On the designated day, Public Works Street Division will park the truck near the registered residence at approximately 2:00pm. The homeowner can fill the truck with grass, leaves, clippings, and other organic wastes. Public Works will pick the truck up on the next business day at 7:30am and dispose of the wastes.

• Register in the City Clerk's Office
• Register at least 48 hours before you need the truck
• There is a $30 fee - Proof of residency is required
• The fee and proof of residency must be provided to the City Clerk before the truck can be delivered

Furniture and Appliance Pickup
If you have furniture or appliances for disposal, Public Works will pick your items up and dispose of them. Furniture and Appliance pickup is every Friday morning.

• Register in the City Clerk's Office
• Register and pay by Wednesday at 4:30pm for a Friday pick-up
• There is a $10 fee per item - proof of residency is required
• The fee and proof of residency must be provided to the City Clerk before the items may be picked up.
• The City cannot pick up air conditioners, freezers, refrigerators, or any appliances that contain Freon or other toxic chemicals. Contact a commercial hauler for proper disposal of these items.
• There are no refunds if the item or items are removed by a party other than the City.

Leaf Pickup
Each fall the City will collect leaves in bulk or bags. Please bag your leaves and place the bags at the curb on your normal day of garbage collection (do not exceed the six bag limit). The bulk leaves program typically runs from mid-October to early December. Leaf vacuum units and street sweepers are used to pick-up leaves from the streets. For excessive yard wastes, consider using the Dial-A-Truck program.

Christmas Tree Pickup
Christmas tree pickup is available for residents paying the sanitation fee. Beginning on December 26th, place your Christmas tree between the curb and the walk. Crews will pick up your tree on your normal garbage collection day.

Christmas trees are chipped and mulch is available for citizens in the Spring. Please call the Work Center at (607) 737-5750 if you are interested in obtaining mulch for your landscaping.

Carry-Out Permits for Elderly/Disabled
Individuals who are elderly or disabled and are unable to place garbage bags and bins at the curb, may apply for a Carry-Out Permit. After the individual provides proof of disability, garbage crews will pick up garbage from an agreed upon location outside the house instead of at the curb. To apply, contact Public Works Administration.

Landfill and Shredder Station
If you need to dispose of items that the City won't pickup, you can take it directly to the Landfill or Shredder Station yourself. The Chemung County Landfill is located on County Route 60 in the Town of Chemung and the Shredder Station is located on Lake Street, just North of Sullivan Street. Before you go, make sure you check the Chemung County Solid Waste Management website for instructions on where to take which items.  In general, household items go to the Shredder Station and construction and demolition materials go to the landfill, but check the website to be sure. The Chemung County Landfill and Shredder Station are operated by Casella Waste Systems and are not associated with the City of Elmira.
»Click here for a map to the Chemung County Landfill
»more from the Chemung County Solid Waste Management District...

Recycling Programs in Chemung County
Chemung County contracts with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chemung County to manage specific recycling programs. Visit Cornell Cooperative Extension's website below for information on recycling and disposing of items such as: household hazardous wastes, used batteries and motor oil, electronics including computers, monitors, TVs, microwaves, etc, and appliances with Freon.
»Visit Cornell Cooperative Extension's Website for recycling programs...