Many East End households haul their own trash. Southampton Town provides no curbside pickup, East Hampton Village says it has none either, and private carters fill the gap for people who prefer them. The three towns handle the paperwork differently, and the difference decides what you do in your first week. Southampton Town makes you buy green bags and issues no permit. East Hampton Town issues an annual permit that runs April 1 to March 31. Shelter Island requires bags sealed by the Town. If a house comes with a private carter, none of this matters until the contract ends, so ask the owner first.
| Place | What you need | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Town of Southampton, including Hampton Bays, Westhampton, Bridgehampton and Water Mill | Green Town garbage bags, bought at stores | Southampton Town |
| Town of East Hampton, including Amagansett, Montauk, Springs, Wainscott and East Hampton Village | Annual self-hauler permit | East Hampton Town |
| Town of Shelter Island | Town-sealed bags | Shelter Island |
Villages can add their own rules. The Village of East Hampton, for example, has no garbage pickup and sends residents to the Town permit or a private carter. Sag Harbor sits in both Southampton Town and East Hampton Town, so which rule applies depends on the address; the village clerk can tell you.
- Southampton Town recycling centers and green bagsNo curbside pickup and no permit: the pay-per-bag system, four recycling centers, hours, bag prices and what is free.
- East Hampton Town recycling center permitsAn annual self-hauler permit runs April 1 to March 31. Where to get it, what it costs in the village, and how Montauk works.
- Shelter Island transfer station and Town bagsTown-sealed bags for garbage, strict recycling sorting, a scale house for bulky items, and a monthly hazardous-waste day.
Sources
- Town of Southampton, Municipal Works - Waste Management
- Town of East Hampton, Sanitation
- Town of Shelter Island, Recycling & Transfer Station
Checked October 2026. Rules, fees and hours change; confirm with the office or operator before you act.