I’ve now had an old 5,000-BTU window unit sitting next to the recycling bins in my building’s side alley since the heat wave, and it has survived two metal/recycling collection nights. I tried the obvious: drained the water in the drip pan, made sure it wasn't packed with anything, and left it out the night before metal collection. Our super insists the city only picks up appliances if the building calls the private carter and "pays separately," which I’m pretty sure is not exactly how it works for a small walk-up in Astoria.

DSNY’s guidance seems to split between bulk collection and CFC-containing appliances, and the website is a maze. I don’t want to be the jerk who leaves a compressor on the sidewalk for three weeks, but the super won’t let me bring it back inside because he says it attracts pests. Has anyone actually gotten DSNY or a private carter to take an old window AC, or is this one of those things where everyone in the borough just sneaks it into a construction dumpster? I’m not above calling 311, but I’d rather know what to say so I don’t get bounced between agencies.

Oh man, same. I put mine out on recycling night last week because I thought anything with metal and a plug goes out with the metal, right? It got an orange sticker and the next morning it was still there, but the sticker said something like "unacceptable setout." I didn’t realize it had Freon. Can you actually schedule a pickup from the city for one unit, or do they only do whole buildings? Would love to know because my landlord is ignoring me.

firstwinter: the orange sticker is DSNY’s way of saying it wasn’t an eligible setout. AC units are not regular metal/rigid plastic and not part of the state e-waste program at the curb, because they contain refrigerants that have to be recovered before the metal can be scrapped. For a typical small residential building in Queens, you can request a CFC/appliance pickup through 311. The operator will ask if it’s a single unit, whether it’s a window AC or fridge, and whether it’s already at the curb. They usually want it placed out the evening before the scheduled day, not left there for days.

In larger buildings, the owner or super may be responsible because private collection is treated as building waste, which is why supers say "pay separately" — that part isn’t total nonsense. But for a small walk-up, DSNY can do it. I called yesterday; the person confirmed they’ll pick up one window unit and asked me to put it out after 6 p.m. the night before. No fee. They also said to leave the cord intact, which felt counterintuitive.

Since your super won’t let you store it inside, call 311 yourself and schedule the pickup. If you get a service request number, write it on a piece of paper and tape it to the unit. That sometimes keeps the quality-of-life crews from stickering it before the scheduled pickup. But definitely don’t just leave it unannounced again.

YES. I get so worked up about this because people do the "sneak it into the dumpster" thing and the refrigerant vents directly into the alley, which is terrible. Modern window units from the last few years are often R-32 or R-410A, not all "Freon," but they still need recovery! If anyone has an older early-2000s unit with R-22, it’s even more important — you can hear the compressor kick on and just know the stuff is still in there.

astoria_arch is right that 311 can schedule a CFC pickup, but have you checked whether the manufacturer or your utility is running a turn-in event? Con Ed has had local e-waste events that sometimes also take room ACs, and those events usually document the refrigerant handling. Also ask the 311 operator straight up: "Is this collected as CFC or just bulk metal?" If they say bulk metal, ask again politely — sometimes the first answer is wrong. The key phrase is "CFC appliance pickup," not "air conditioner pickup."

And drain the drip pan again! The crew hates musty water dripping down their legs. Keep us updated if they actually show up!

Thanks astoria_arch and RiverdaleRambler. I tried 311 this morning and the operator did mention CFC pickup when I used the exact phrase! They scheduled me for next Tuesday and told me to put it out the night before after 6, separately from trash and not inside a bag. My super still won’t let it back in the basement, so I have it on my fire escape for one more week. Did you get a confirmation number or just a service request number? I wrote it down but forgot to ask which one I need.