Recycling & Compost

Curbside garbage and recycling programs are managed by each of the towns in Putnam County. For more information about your program, including pickup schedules, please contact your town.

Click here for a list of permitted waste haulers.

Event Recycling Container Rental:

Planning an outdoor fair, community gathering, or special event? Help your guests recycle right by borrowing our convenient recycling containers. We offer clearly labeled bins to make it easy for attendees to sort recyclables and reduce waste. Whether you're hosting a small neighborhood picnic or a large public festival, our containers support a cleaner, more sustainable event—and show your commitment to environmental responsibility. Submit a request with this form.

For more information about what can and cannot go in your recycle bin, please visit Recycle Right NY or click here.

The Putnam County Local Solid Waste Management Plan (LSWMP) is currently under review by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. To view the draft LMSWMP, click here.

Backyard composting is an easy way to reduce waste and turn your kitchen scraps into a soil amendment for your garden. To order a reduced-cost Earth Machine compost bin for your backyard, click here.

Find more information about backyard composting from Cornell Cooperative Extension Putnam County.

Image of an Earth Machine Compost Bin

Licensed Haulers

What is a Waste Hauler & Why Permits Matter

A Solid Waste Hauler is a company that collects and transports everyday waste and recyclables such as household trash, construction debris, and yard waste.

A Septic Waste Hauler is a company that pumps, transports, and disposes of waste from septic systems, holding tanks, and portable toilets.

In Putnam County, these haulers are required to obtain permits to:

Ensure waste is handled, transported, and disposed of safely
Protect public health, drinking water, and the environment
Comply with local and state regulations
Prevent illegal dumping and improper disposal practices

Only permitted haulers have been reviewed and approved by the county to meet these standards.

Using an unpermitted hauler may result in improper waste handling and potential fines or environmental harm.

Note: Inclusion in this list does not constitute an endorsement by the Putnam County Department of Health.

Waste Hauler Application Information

Waste Hauler/Transporter renewal applications must be submitted to the health department by February 13, 2026 or a late fee will be applied.

Click here to download the 2026 Solid/Septic Waste Hauler Permit Application

Instructions for the Waste Hauler Dashboard

Select Hauler Type
- Choose Solid Waste Hauler or Septic Waste Hauler depending on the service you need. Follow the steps below to find the waste hauler to suit your needs:
Filter by Town
- Use the Town filter to narrow results to your local area.
Search by Waste Type
- Use the search bar to enter the type of waste you need handled (e.g., “yard waste” or “scrap metal”). Use the table (indicate location on website) to help identify what keywords you need to help find the right hauler
- The dashboard will show haulers that accept that specific material.

Waste Types & Examples

Waste Type	Examples
Single Stream Recycling	Mixed recyclables (plastic bottles, cans, paper in one bin)
C&D Debris	Construction materials and home renovation debris (wood, drywall, concrete)
Scrap Metal	Old appliances, metal pipes, car parts
Food Waste	Leftover food, spoiled groceries
Medical Waste	Sharps, bandages, medical supplies
HHW / Chemicals	Paint, cleaners, pesticides
Paper / Cardboard	Boxes, newspapers, office paper
MSW (Municipal Solid Waste)	Everyday household trash
Tires	Car or truck tires
Used Cooking Oil	Grease from cooking, fryer oil (in large volumes)
Yard Waste	Leaves, grass clippings, branches
Grease Trap Waste	Restaurant grease trap contents
Petroleum Contaminated Solids/Liquids	Oil-soaked rags, contaminated soil or water

Medication Takeback

Unused or expired medications can be brought to any of the Medication Drop Boxes in Putnam County.

Acceptable items include prescription, over-the-counter, and pet medications. Syringes, sharps, and lancets are NOT acceptable. These items can be brought to any hospital or nursing home in New York State. Please call the facility prior to bringing any items for disposal. Click here for information about bringing sharps to Putnam Hospital.

Click here for a list of public disposal locations for controlled substances in Putnam, Westchester, Dutchess and Orange counties.

Medication Take Back events are held at least twice a year on the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Days. They take place in the Spring and Fall and are done in conjunction with the Prevention Council of Putnam, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, and Putnam Hospital.

The next Medication Take Back Day is Saturday, April 25 at Putnam Hospital from 10 am to 2 pm.

Medication Drop Boxes can be found in each town:

Carmel Town Hall
60 McAlpin Ave
Mahopac, NY 10541
845-628-1500
Kent Police Department
25 Sybil’s Crossing
Kent, NY 10512
Open 24/7
Putnam County Sheriff’s Department
3 County Center
Carmel, NY 10512
Open 24/7
ACME Pharmacy
1511 Route 22
Brewster, NY 10509
845-940-0565
Community Pharmacy
100 Independent Way Ste G
Brewster, NY 10509
845-278-2700

Hazardous Waste Drop-Off

Putnam County hosts two Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Days (HHWD) each year, typically the first weekends of May and October at the Canopus Beach Parking Lot at Fahnestock State Park.

The next Household Hazardous Waste Collection event is Saturday, May 2. Click here to register for the event.

To join the email notification list for the fall event, please click here.

All waste is subject to inspection and will only be accepted in the County’s discretion. Please be advised that if any not accepted items as specified above are brought and are determined to present a hazard to residents, workers or the environment, Putnam County reserves the right to take any necessary safety measures, the cost of which shall be the resident’s responsibility.

What to Bring:

Propane Tanks
Photo Chemicals
Non-latex driveway sealer
Pool Chemicals
Creosote
Waste Fuels (Kerosene, Gasoline, oil mixtures, brake fluid, antifreeze, auto fluids)
Flammable liquids (Lighter Fluids)
Metal polish
Drain/oven cleaners
Rug/upholstery cleaners
Wood Preservatives
Turpentine
Stains & Varnishes
Paint Thinners & Strippers
Wood Preservatives
Mothballs
Rodent poisons
Flea powders & collars
Bug spray
Nail polish remover, hair dye & hair sprays
Pesticides (Bactericides, Herbicides, Fungicides, Insecticides)
Chemical Fertilizers
Adhesives, Resins, Solvents
Oil-based & Latex paints
Mercury containing products
Button cell batteries (from watches, hearing aids) non-rechargeable only
Fluorescent light bulbs & tubes
Hand sanitizer (methanol tainted)

What NOT to Bring:

Electronics, Computers, VCR's (e-waste)
Used motor oil
Plastic bags
Tires
Unlabeled/unidentified containers
Household batteries(AAA, AA, C, D, 9V)
Rechargeable batteries, sealed lead acid batteries, car batteries, tool batteries
Fire Extinguishers
Ammunition, explosives, fireworks
Asbestos products
Construction debris
Furniture, toys or clothing
Smoke Detectors
Medical waste, old medications
NO COMMERCIAL BUSINESS ITEMS
ITEMS IN GARBAGE AND/OR LAWN BAGS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

Disposal Guide

Batteries

Alkaline batteries have two options for disposal: recycling or trash. Staples will accept alkaline batteries for recycling for free, and the Battery Network has a mail-in program for a fee. If disposing of alkaline batteries in the trash, place packing or electrical tape over the ends to prevent sparks from starting a garbage fire.

Lithium-ion batteries must be recycled; they cannot be put in the trash since they can cause fires or explosions in garbage trucks or processing facilities. There are several locations in and near Putnam County where lithium-ion batteries can be recycled for free: Home Depot, Lowes, and Staples. Best Buy and other cell phone retailers will accept cell phones and accessories for recycling as well. EV batteries are too big for any of these recycling programs and must be recycled by the vehicle manufacturer.

Coin and button cell batteries also have two options for disposal: recycling or trash. Again, there are several locations in and near Putnam County where coin and button cell batteries can be recycled at no cost: Home Depot, Lowes, and Staples. If disposing of coin and button cell batteries in the trash, tape them over with packing or electrical tape to prevent any sparks from starting a garbage fire.

Lead-acid batteries should be brought back to where they (or their replacement) were purchased. When a lead-acid battery is sold, a deposit is charged, which is refunded when the old battery is returned.

Electronics

Each town in Putnam County has their own electronics recycling program. Please check with your town for additional information.

Old or broken electronics can also be brought to Best Buy or Staples for recycling. For items that still work, consider a trade-in program, selling or donating the item.

Paint

New York State participates in the paint recycling program PaintCare, with several drop-off locations in and near Putnam County. For a list of accepted products, as well as a locator, visist paintcare.org

Pizza Boxes

Make sure there is no melted cheese or other food in the box and remove any parchment. Then place in the recycling bin.

Previous guidance advised disposal of oily cardboard spots bigger than a credit card. This no longer applies moving forward, at least in Putnam County.

For more information on pizza box recycling:

Recycle Right NY Recyclopedia: https://recyclerightny.org/statewide-recyclopedia & search pizza
American Forest & Paper Association guidelines: https://www.afandpa.org/sites/default/files/2021-08/AFPAPizzaBoxStatements2021.pdf

Check back soon

Information on how to dispose of other items will be added soon!

Litter Cleanup

Did you know Putnam County has a Litter Patrol? If you see litter on the roadside, let us know by filling out this form. Your request will be shared with the Litter Patrol to place on their workorder list.

Litter Pick-up Equipment Rental

Planning a community clean-up or beautification project? We offer free rental of litter pickup equipment to help keep your neighborhood looking its best. Residents can borrow high-visibility safety vests, litter grabbers, traffic cones, "Slow Traffic" signs, and orange garbage bags. Whether you're organizing a school project, volunteer day, or neighborhood cleanup, our gear ensures your team can work safely and efficiently. Submit a request with this form: https://forms.office.com/g/VavL7Uucsa

Litter clean-ups are an opportunity for residents to assist in efforts to keep Putnam County roadways clean. Most importantly, these clean-ups should be done in a safe manner and only on county or town roads.

Have a safe and successful litter cleanup:

Safety Checklist for Litter Clean-up Event

Immediately call 911 when an emergency happens.
Never walk on guide rails.
NO HORSEPLAY
Stay off the underside of overhead bridges.
Do not lean over bridge railings.
Always face on-coming traffic.
Do not to park vehicles on roadways or shoulders.
All must always wear orange shirts or vests.
Wear long pants, sturdy shoes/boots, and appropriate gloves.
Never pick up needles, syringes, jagged glass, animal carcasses or heavy objects. Volunteers are not to pick up anything that could be hazardous.
All 12-to-17-year-old volunteers must be supervised; there must be at least one adult supervisor for every six 12-to-17-year-olds.
There will be no activity of any kind by volunteers on the roadway surface. Stay to the left of the white pavement stripe.
Do not engage in horseplay or other such activity that might jeopardize the volunteers’ safety or distract motorists.
Volunteers should have a first aid kit with them, and transportation should always be available.
At least one volunteer at each cleanup should know CPR in case there is an emergency.
Volunteers should avoid over exertion and make arrangements to provide drinking water in hot weather.

Tips for a Successful Litter Clean-up Event

The day before the cleanup, take 2 backpacks and individually stuff as many orange bags as you can into each backpack (individually vs. all together is very important). The backpacks will allow the volunteers to just pull out additional bags as they walk along.

NOTE: having one hand for the litter grabber and the other for the bag does not allow volunteers to carry the additional bags…the 40″ X 48″ bags are thick and are just too big to put over one’s belt. There will generally be 18 -24 bags used per mile.
Bring a fully charged cell phone, gloves, and wet wipes. Hiking shoes will give more support than sneakers.

To keep the volunteers from slowing each other down…

Everyone meet at a place approximately in the middle of your section.
Split the group in half.
Each group to walk (WALKING FACING TRAFFIC) along your section heading in opposite directions.
When the 2 groups get to the respective ends your section (where the Adopt-a-Highway signs are), they are then to carefully cross the road and walk back to the place where they parted with the other group WALKING FACING TRAFFIC.
Splitting the groups means that each will only have to walk 1/2 the distance and they will not bunch up.

Fill the bags only 2/3 please, as the crews have to lift them over their heads into the back of a truck. As the bags get 2/3 filled, tie the tops and leave them alongside the road. If you find a large object, just put that on top of the orange bag.