The Division of Solid Waste Management of the Dutchess County Department of Planning and Development formulates programs for the collection and disposal of solid waste (discarded material) generated within Dutchess County.
Our main function is to implement the Dutchess County Local Solid Waste Management Plan.
The three main goals of the plan are:
Reducing the amount of waste generated within Dutchess County
The Dutchess County Division of Solid Waste has entered into an agreement with a consulting firm to conduct a waste reduction and diversion feasibility study. The study officially kicked off in October 2025.We will be hosting a virtual presentation on the findings of the study in the fall of 2026. After the presentation the Division will open a comment period where residents will be welcomed to submit their comments by mail or email.
Project update inclusive of analysis of waste composition, recovery estimation, and gap analysis can be viewed or downloaded by clicking here .
Keep checking back for updates and announcements!
For questions, please email our office at solidwastemgmt@dutchessny.gov or call (845) 486-2826.
What happens to your trash Beyond the Bin in New York State? With landfills becoming full, what is thrown away matters more than ever. Go behind the scenes of municipal solid waste management in New York State and hear from experts about where the waste goes, the challenges facing our disposal systems, and how reducing waste helps conserve our earth's natural resources.
In this video developed by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, they examine where garbage goes once it leaves the curb.
Learn about composting from an expert! Join us on September 28, 2026 at 5:30 pm at the Pleasant Valley Free Library to learn how to compost at home, how to resolve common problems and how finished compost can be used.
Seating is limited; registration is required and will open closer to the date. Check back in August for more information.
The June Household Hazardous Waste event registration has filled. The County will be hosting two more events later this year. Dates are listed below:
September 19th at Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NY (online registration opens August 19th)
October 17th at 626 Dutchess Turnpike, Poughkeepsie, NY (online registration opens September 17th)
Dutchess County has partnered with Recycle Coach, a free mobile and desktop app designed to help residents better understand what can and cannot be recycled, right from their smartphones or computers. The collaboration aims to avoid confusion about recycling and answer residents' questions about recycling at any time of day.
The Recycle Coach digital platform offers several benefits to residents, including a handy search tool to learn how to properly dispose of household items - from aerosol cans to wrapping paper - as well as educational tips to reduce waste, reuse materials and recycle more effectively. Users of the mobile app can snap a photo of materials and learn how they can be correctly recycled or disposed of. Residents can access the Recycle Coach app directly through this website at the top of the page, or download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Each month we will be focusing on a recycling topic to support efforts to reduce contamination in household recycling across Dutchess County.
Dutchess County holds a hazardous waste collection event for businesses, schools and farms that generate less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month. The 2026 event date will be October 16, 2026. Registration packets will be available August 17th. For more information, email solidwastemgmt@dutchessny.gov or call (845)-486-2841.
Textile Recycling
Find information on composting and how to purchase a backyard compost bin
Helpful information on reducing and reusing items
Our next event: September 19th (online registration opens August 19th)
The County has recycling containers to borrow for your next big event
See where your local transfer station is located and what items they will accept
Recycling rates, accomplishments, facility information and more in the 2019 Annual Report
