Standard metal or plastic container (max 50 gallons) or heavy-duty plastic bags Bin (Trash)
Maximum volume of 50 gallons and fitted with a lid. The total amount placed out must be manageable by one person and take no more than 4 trips to the truck. Set out between 4:30 p.m. the day before and 12:01 a.m. on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Wrappers and non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Broken glass (wrapped and secured)
Blue or Green Bin Bin (Recycling)
Single-stream collection. Place items loosely inside the provided recycling bin. Do not bag recyclables in plastic. Must be out by 12:01 a.m. on your designated day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass containers (clean and rinsed)
- ✓Metal and aluminum cans
- ✓Plastics #1-7
- ✓Newspapers and magazines
- ✓Flattened cardboard (max 3' x 2')
Do NOT Include
- ✕Broken glass
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Ceramics
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Hazardous waste
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in biodegradable paper bags. Branches must be bundled with non-synthetic twine, no longer than 4 ft 4 inches. No plastic bags, dirt, or stones.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Branches
- ✓Brush
- ✓Christmas trees (seasonal)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On regular collection day, with 24-hour prior notice
Placement
Place alongside regular trash between 4:30 p.m. the day before and 12:01 a.m. on collection day. Mattresses must be wrapped in heavy-duty plastic or hypoallergenic covers.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Porcelain tubs and toilets
- ✓ Refrigerators and freezers (doors must be removed)
- ✓ Tires
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paint
- ✕ Electronics and TVs
- ✕ Commercial construction debris
- ✕ Excessive piles requiring more than 4 trips to the truck
Bulk collection is included for residential properties with 4 or fewer units, provided quantities are not deemed excessive.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
In Albany, all holidays will have normal scheduled trash and recycling pickup. Your collection day does not shift, so place your bins out as usual.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste also continues on regular schedules during holidays, provided it is properly bagged or bundled.
Trash must still adhere to the strict 4:30 PM to 12:01 AM set-out window, even on holidays.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of Recycling
Never place your single-stream recyclables inside plastic grocery or garbage bags [1.1.2]. Put them loosely in the blue or green bin to avoid jamming the sorting machines at the recycling facility.
Flatten and Size Cardboard
Large, unbroken boxes can take up too much space and slow down collection. Ensure all corrugated cardboard is flattened and tied so that it is no larger than 3 feet by 2 feet.
Separate Hazardous Materials
Never throw latex paint, batteries, or electronic waste into your normal trash or recycling bin. Bring these materials to the city's designated Household Hazardous Waste drop-off events.
Seasonal Information
Spring-Fall
April - DecemberYard waste collection generally runs from mid-April through December 1st (or the first snowfall). Ensure all grass and leaves are in biodegradable paper bags and placed alongside your regular trash.
Fall
October - NovemberWhen cleaning up autumn leaves, do not rake them into the street. They must be bagged in paper yard waste bags to avoid straining street sweepers and contributing to landfill methane.
Winter
JanuaryChristmas trees can be placed curbside for seasonal pickup. Remove all decorations, lights, tinsel, and stands. Do not place the tree inside a plastic disposal bag.
About Albany Waste Management
Understanding Albany's Strict Curbside Set-Out Windows
Albany enforces a strict timeframe for setting out your trash and recyclables [1.1.4]. Residents are prohibited from placing items curbside before 4:30 p.m. the day before their scheduled collection. Everything must be out by 12:01 a.m. (midnight) on collection day. Placing bins out too early can result in hefty fines under the City Code, potentially up to $650, plus an additional bill for the removal of the debris.
Single-Stream Recycling Made Simple
The City of Albany utilizes a single-stream recycling system, meaning you don't need to separate your paper, plastic, glass, and metal. All approved recyclables can be co-mingled loosely inside the free blue or green recycling bins provided by the Department of General Services. Remember to rinse all food containers thoroughly and flatten corrugated cardboard to no larger than 3 feet by 2 feet to ensure smooth collection.
Biodegradable Bags Required for Yard Waste
When the yard waste collection season rolls around, usually starting around April 15, residents must adhere to strict packaging rules. Grass clippings and leaves must go into biodegradable paper bags—plastic bags are completely banned for yard waste and will be left at the curb. For larger branches, bundle them securely with non-synthetic twine (no wire or tape) in lengths under 4 feet and 4 inches.
Dealing with Bulky Trash and Appliances
Disposing of old furniture or a broken washing machine requires a quick phone call. Residents can place bulky items, including mattresses and 'white goods' like refrigerators, at the curb. However, you must notify the Department of General Services by calling (518) 434-CITY at least 24 hours prior to your normal collection day. If you are discarding a refrigerator or freezer, New York State Law mandates that the doors must be completely removed before placing it curbside.
Drop-off Facilities
Department of General Services Permanent Electronics Drop-off
1 Richard J. Conners Blvd, Albany, NY 12204
Materials Accepted
City of Albany Yard Waste Composting Facility
1 Richard J. Conners Blvd, Albany, NY 12204
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I place my garbage on the curb in Albany?
Trash and recycling must be placed curbside between 4:30 p.m. the evening before your scheduled pickup and 12:01 a.m. (midnight) on collection day. Putting items out too early can result in a fine of up to $650.
Does the trash schedule change when there is a holiday?
No. The City of Albany does not alter its collection schedule for holidays. All holidays will have normal scheduled trash and recycling pick up on your regular day.
How do I throw away a mattress in Albany?
You can place a mattress curbside for bulk pickup on your normal trash day, but you must wrap it in heavy-duty plastic or a hypoallergenic mattress cover. You also need to call (518) 434-2489 at least 24 hours in advance to schedule the pickup.
Can I use plastic bags for my yard waste?
Absolutely not. Albany requires all yard waste, such as leaves and grass clippings, to be placed in biodegradable paper bags. Plastic bags will not be collected. Branches must be tied in bundles no longer than 4 feet 4 inches using non-synthetic twine.