Sanitation

Sanitation Services - Curbside Trash, Recycling & Food Scrap Collection Services in Middletown 

In Middletown, regular household waste must be picked up with a curbside service. Most residents in Middletown are serviced by private trash haulers.  A list of these haulers is available here. If you live in the City Sanitation District, your service is provided by the City of Middletown Sanitation Department directly. See below for more information. 

No place left for our trash! It's a problem in New England! 

Learn about the statewide waste crisis through this Story Map designed by the Naugatuck Valley Regional Council of Governments. 

City Sanitation District trash collection 

The City Sanitation District collects trash, recyclables and food scraps in the central and northern part of Middletown. Residents and businesses in the district pay a separate fee for this service. The Sanitation Department provides carts and dumpsters to all its customers. To set up service, contact the Public Works Department at 860-638-4851.  

Not sure if you are in the District? Check out the map here: Sanitation District Boundaries 

Clean Outs - The Sanitation District will provide an extra cart at $35/cart/pickup for move outs and clean outs. Call the office at 860-638-4850 to pay/schedule.  

ATTN: Sanitation District Cart Customers: Changes coming to SAYT (orange and green bag) program!

The Sanitation District has participated in a trash-reduction pilot program funded by DEEP since November, 2023. This program was discontinued Dec. 31st, 2025.  Sanitation district customers who have their trash collected in curbside rolling carts are to resume using regular trash bags effective January 1st, 2026. Please click here for more details about changes to Sanitation District municipal waste collection.

Sanitation District Billing

Sanitation bills are sent out twice a year to all property owners in the Sanitation District.  Bills are for a six month period: 

  • November - April (Bill due Nov. 1st)
  • May - October (Bill due May 1st)
  • Payment can be made by mail, at the Tax Collectors office online through this link: 

Curbside Bulky Waste Collection 

Bulky household waste, which includes brush, furniture, appliances, wood, metal, mattresses and large plastic items, is collected separately. The charge for bulk waste is $75/pick up plus $36 per each mattress and box spring. More information on Bulk Waste Collection can be found here.

Fall 2025 Notice: Brush and Bulk Waste Collection will be suspended for the season after 10/10/2025. All requests for collection must be received by 4:00pm at the PW Office on 10/10/25.

Recycling: All haulers must offer trash and recycling services and follow the RecycleCT Recycling Guidelines.  Find a list of "What's In, What's Out" for recycling here.  

 Food Scraps Food Scraps Food Scraps Food Scraps Food Scraps Food Scraps Food Scraps Food Scraps Food Scraps Food Scraps Food Scraps Food Scraps

Middletown residents: The City offers free food scrap drop-off bins for all residents. 

Businesses in the Sanitation District: Restaurants using City Sanitation Service have the option to use a separate cart for food scraps serviced by Blue Earth Compost at no additional charge. To arrange for a food scrap bin, please contact the Recycling Coordinator at recycling@middletownct.gov. 

Sanitation Garbage & Recycling Pickup Schedule

Recycling and garbage are picked up on the same day. To see what day your pickup day is, see the Cart Pick-up Schedule.

Recycling bins are collected every week!  Note: If non-recyclable materials are placed in the recycling cart, your cart may not be emptied!  

Holidays

The Sanitation District usually observes the following holidays: Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day. Sign up for the Community Connector App or Check the News Flash section of the Public Works page or the Middletown Facebook site for confirmation as to whether crews are working on these days. You can sign up for these notices to come right to your inbox.  

If in doubt, always put your trash and recycling out on your regular collection day.  Even if it is a holiday week, and the holiday doesn’t fall on your collection day, still put your carts out on the regular day.  Crews work to catch up immediately.  Half the route may be on schedule, half a day behind, so please be patient with the holiday pick-up.   

Recycling

Everyone in Connecticut must recycle certain mandatory items.  Here are the general guidelines (PDF) for curbside recycling. More information on recycling can be found in the Mixed Recycling Guidelines (PDF). 

Private Trash Haulers 

If you live outside of the Sanitation District, you are serviced by a private trash hauler (PDF). You must contact them directly for service and costs. All private haulers must be registered with the City and provide both trash and recycling services.

Private Trash Haulers must complete these forms (PDF) to operate in the City of Middletown. 

All Trash and Recycling Carts must be removed from the curb after collection

On March 3, 2014, the Common Council adopted ordinances, Sections 253-23 to 253-26, which require that all garbage carts and recycling bins be removed from the curbside within 24 hours of pick up. A fine of $25 will be issued for each violation. Please note that each continuing day of noncompliance shall constitute a separate violation. 

Sanitation District Questions:


Operational Questions:  860-638-4850

Billing Questions: 860-638-4851 

Learn about the statewide waste crisis through this Story Map designed by the Naugatuck Valley Regional Council of Governments.