Varies by private hauler Bin (Trash)
Curbside trash pickup is entirely managed by permitted private haulers. All guidelines, including bin placement times and container types, are determined by your specific subscription.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household solid waste
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Varies by private hauler Bin (Recycling)
Private haulers utilize single-stream recycling, meaning all accepted recyclables go into one bin. Do not use plastic bags unless specifically instructed by your private hauler.
Accepted Items
- ✓Mixed paper (newspapers, magazines, mail)
- ✓Corrugated cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Plastic containers
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Metal cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Clothing and textiles
- ✕Food scraps
Yard Waste Bin
Place yard waste curbside in biodegradable paper bags or reusable open containers. Branches must be cut to a maximum of 4 feet, stacked neatly, and no more than 3 feet tall.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Brush and branches (max 4 feet long)
- ✓Yard trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Varies by private hauler or via self-haul to the Transfer Station.
Placement
Bulky items should be placed at the curb only on the morning of your pre-arranged pickup appointment to prevent neighborhood code violations.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Washers and dryers
- ✓ Refrigerators
- ✓ Mattresses
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Electronics (take to Transfer Station)
- ✕ Wet paint
- ✕ Liquid chemicals
Extra fees apply for curbside bulk pickups through your private hauler. Alternatively, many bulky items are accepted at the Rupert Road Transfer Station for an applicable municipal drop-off fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because trash collection is completely managed by independent private companies, holiday delay schedules vary. Generally, if a major holiday falls on a weekday, service is pushed back one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Town-operated yard waste pickup and the Transfer Station will observe standard municipal holiday closures. Always check the town website for exact date changes.
You must contact your contracted hauler (e.g., County Waste, Waste Management, Twin Bridges) directly to confirm their exact holiday policies.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Flatten All Corrugated Cardboard
Whether you are using a private hauler or dropping items at the Transfer Station, all corrugated cardboard boxes must be completely flattened. Leaving boxes intact takes up critical, unnecessary space in the collection trucks and municipal bins.
Never Bag Single-Stream Recyclables
When placing items in your curbside recycling bin, keep them entirely loose. Do not bundle your glass, plastic, or paper inside plastic grocery bags, as the flexible plastic film wraps around the mechanical sorting gears at the recycling facility and causes severe damage.
Keep Plastic Out of Spring Cleanup Piles
During the town's April Spring Cleanup, municipal crews will only pick up natural yard waste and specific wood items. Any piles contaminated with plastic objects, metal components, or standard household trash will be rejected and left at the curb.
Seasonal Information
Spring
AprilThe town holds an annual Spring Cleanup week (typically mid-April). Residents can dispose of yard waste, brush, wood fencing, and waste lumber at the curbside. All materials must be placed neatly at the edge of the property without obstructing the roadway.
Fall
October - NovemberBethlehem conducts an extensive Fall Leaf Pickup program. Leaves must be placed in biodegradable paper bags or piled strictly according to the Highway Department's guidelines to prevent dangerous storm drain blockages.
Year-Round
January - DecemberThe Rupert Road Transfer Station operates year-round to accept household garbage, dual-stream recycling, and electronic waste for residents who choose to self-haul their debris rather than paying a private company.
About Bethlehem Waste Management
Bethlehem's Private Hauler Subscription System
Unlike many municipalities that provide universal city-wide sanitation services, the Town of Bethlehem requires residents to independently contract with a permitted private hauler for their curbside trash and recycling pickup. Homeowners can choose from several licensed waste management companies operating within Albany County, including County Waste, Twin Bridges, and Robert Wright Disposal. Because collection days, exact container rules, and holiday schedules vary strictly by the private hauler you select, you must contact your specific provider directly to establish your garbage routine.
Dual Stream Recycling at the Rupert Road Transfer Station
If you prefer to manage your own waste or simply have excess household garbage, the Rupert Road Transfer Station offers an excellent alternative to private subscriptions. While private haulers in Bethlehem have transitioned to single-stream curbside recycling, the town’s Transfer Station proudly remains a “dual stream” facility. This means residents dropping off recyclables must proactively separate their paper and cardboard from their glass, plastics, and metals before depositing them into the designated bins.
Town-Managed Yard Waste and Spring Cleanup
Although household trash is privatized, the Bethlehem Highway Department takes full charge of your seasonal yard debris. The town offers comprehensive yard waste pickup services, requiring residents to place leaves and grass clippings in biodegradable paper bags or open, reusable containers. Every year in mid-April, Bethlehem also hosts a major Spring Cleanup event, allowing homeowners to set out brush, cut branches, and specific wood items like fencing and clean lumber for free municipal collection.
Dedicated Textile and Clothing Recycling Stations
As part of New York's “Re-Clothe NY” initiative, Bethlehem makes it incredibly easy to recycle unwanted textiles rather than throwing them into the local landfill. Scattered throughout the town—including the Elm Avenue CDTA Park and Ride and the Rupert Road Transfer Station—are designated Community Reuse and Recycling Stations. You can drop off ripped clothing, stained linens, stuffed animals, and old footwear, as long as the fabrics are dry and free from hazardous contamination.
Bulky Items and Free Electronic Waste Disposal
Handling large household items like mattresses, couches, or refrigerators requires coordination with your private hauler, who may charge additional bulky item fees for curbside removal. However, the town itself offers completely free electronic recycling at the Rupert Road Transfer Station, saving residents from paying extra to dispose of old TVs and computers. Ensure you check the town's mandatory recycling list to avoid accidentally mixing banned electronics into your standard household garbage.
Drop-off Facilities
Rupert Road Transfer Station
144 Rupert Road, Bethlehem, NY 12161
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Town of Bethlehem provide curbside garbage pickup?
No, the Town of Bethlehem does not provide municipal curbside trash or recycling collection. Residents must set up a paid account with a permitted private hauler, such as County Waste, Twin Bridges, Waste Management, or Robert Wright Disposal, to receive curbside service.
How do I get rid of an old television or computer in Bethlehem?
Electronic waste is prohibited by New York state law from being thrown into your standard curbside trash. However, the town offers free electronics recycling at the Rupert Road Transfer Station. Simply bring your old TVs and computers there during normal operating hours.
When is the town's Spring Cleanup event?
The Town of Bethlehem hosts a week-long Spring Cleanup every April. During this specific week, the Highway Department will collect yard waste, cut brush (max 4 feet), wood fencing, and untreated lumber left at the curb. No plastic or metal items are permitted.
Can I put my fall leaves in plastic bags?
Absolutely not. The Bethlehem Highway Department requires all yard waste and leaves to be placed in biodegradable paper lawn bags or left in open, reusable containers. Any leaves bagged in plastic will be rejected and will not be collected by town crews.