Varies by private hauler Bin (Trash)
Curbside bins must meet your private hauler's specifications. At the Transfer Station, kitchen garbage is charged at a flat rate of $7 to $9 per trip per household.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household solid waste
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Varies by private hauler / Separated bins at Transfer Station Bin (Recycling)
Transfer Station users must separate recyclables. Cardboard must be flattened and cut to size. Cans must be washed and dried before disposal.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1 through #7 (HDPE)
- ✓Clear, green, and amber glass
- ✓Washed tin, aluminum, and soup cans
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and hardcover books
- ✓Flattened cardboard (Max size: 2' x 4')
Do NOT Include
- ✕Tissue paper, napkins, and paper towels
- ✕Window glass and mirrors
- ✕Motor oil containers
- ✕Plastic toys and hangers
- ✕Unbagged shredded paper
Yard Waste Bin
Curbside guidelines vary by hauler. At the Transfer Station, yard waste is accepted loose or in brown biodegradable paper bags. Stumps, dirt, sod, and root balls are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves and grass clippings
- ✓Tree limbs (max 4 feet long, up to 12 inches thick)
- ✓Brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Scheduled via private hauler or self-hauled to the Transfer Station.
Placement
Curbside bulk pickups must be pre-arranged with your private waste company. For self-haulers, loads must be brought to the Transfer Station scales during open hours.
Accepted
- ✓ Construction and demolition debris (C&D)
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Tires
- ✓ Televisions and monitors
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste (outside of the annual October event)
- ✕ Liquid paints
- ✕ Rocks, sod, and large tree stumps
- ✕ Out-of-town waste
Demolition debris costs $175 per ton ($8.75 minimum). Passenger tires cost $6 each. Televisions and monitors are $20 each. Cash or check only.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The Guilderland Transfer Station observes major municipal holidays and posts a yearly PDF closure schedule online. For curbside service, private haulers typically delay pickup by one day for the remainder of a holiday week.
Yard Waste Exception
Always check directly with your chosen private hauler for their specific holiday shift protocols.
The Transfer Station is regularly closed on Sundays and Mondays year-round.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Secure Shredded Paper in Bags
While standard recycling guidelines usually ban plastic bags from mixed paper bins, Guilderland makes a strict exception for shredded documents. All shredded paper must be securely bagged before being placed in the recycling container to prevent a litter hazard.
Utilize the Separate Plastic Bag Barrel
Never throw plastic grocery bags into the main mixed plastics recycling bin with your bottles and jugs. The Transfer Station features a specific, designated barrel located next to the mixed recycling containers exclusively for clean, empty plastic bags.
Keep Tissue Paper Out of the Paper Bin
Do not recycle soiled paper products. Tissue paper, napkins, paper towels, and greasy pizza boxes are considered contaminated and must be thrown into your regular household kitchen garbage.
Seasonal Information
Spring/Summer
April - SeptemberResidents can visit the Transfer Station to access high-quality garden mulch generated from the town's composting program. Hand-loading is free, but mechanical loading costs $4 per yard.
Fall
OctoberThe Town's Annual Household Hazardous Waste event takes place at the Highway Department in early October. Look for the flyer online to confirm the exact Saturday date and acceptable chemical list.
Winter
December - MarchDuring significant snowstorms, the Transfer Station may temporarily close to ensure public safety. Always call the facility at (518) 861-6776 ahead of time if the weather is deteriorating.
About Guilderland Waste Management
Navigating Guilderland's Hybrid Waste System
The Town of Guilderland does not operate a universal curbside trash collection program. Residents must choose between setting up a paid subscription with a private waste hauler—such as County Waste, Twin Bridges, or Republic Services—or opting to self-haul their household refuse to the Guilderland Transfer Station on French's Mill Road. Because private routes are independently managed, curbside schedules, bin colors, and bulk rules depend entirely on your chosen provider.
Transfer Station Per-Trip Fees and Decals
If you decide to self-haul your garbage, the town requires you to display a valid Guilderland Parks and Transfer Station decal on your vehicle, obtainable with your vehicle registration at Town Hall. The facility operates on a pay-per-trip model, charging $9 for standard residents, $7 for seniors (60 and older), and $5 for volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel. All household kitchen garbage drop-offs must be paid for with cash or check directly at the booth, as credit and debit cards are not accepted for everyday refuse.
Specific Costs for E-Waste and Televisions
Disposing of electronic waste at the Transfer Station is mostly free—items like VCRs, DVD players, radios, and computer towers can be dropped off at no charge during standard operating hours. However, the town mandates a strict $20 disposal fee for all computer monitors and televisions, regardless of whether they are older, heavy CRT models or modern flat screens. If you want to avoid this fee, residents are encouraged to explore free state-sponsored take-back programs.
Yard Waste Drop-Offs and Sourcing Free Local Mulch
Guilderland processes local yard debris into garden mulch, offering it back to the community. Town residents can bring brush up to 12 inches in diameter and cut to 4-foot lengths to the facility free of charge. In return, you can manually load as much free mulch as you need into your vehicle. If you prefer to have the Highway Department load the mulch into your pickup truck or trailer using their heavy machinery, it costs a minimal fee of $4 per yard.
Annual Household Hazardous Waste Day
To keep dangerous chemicals out of the local landfill, Guilderland hosts a highly anticipated Household Hazardous Waste Day once a year, typically on a Saturday in early October. Held at the Highway Department, this event allows residents to safely drop off paints, solvents, and pesticides. Pre-registration is not required, but you must present valid proof of residency, such as a New York State Driver's License, a current tax bill, or a town transfer station sticker.
Drop-off Facilities
Guilderland Transfer Station
6363 French's Mill Road, Altamont, NY 12009
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Town of Guilderland pick up my garbage?
No, the Town of Guilderland does not provide municipal curbside trash collection. Residents must either hire a private waste hauler (such as County Waste or Twin Bridges) or transport their own garbage to the Guilderland Transfer Station.
How much does it cost to use the Transfer Station for normal garbage?
To drop off household kitchen garbage and recyclables, the Transfer Station charges a per-trip fee. It costs $9 per trip for non-seniors, $7 per trip for seniors (60 and older), and $5 for volunteer firefighters/EMS. You must pay with cash or a check.
How do I dispose of an old television or computer monitor in Guilderland?
You can bring old televisions and computer monitors (both CRT and flat screens) to the Guilderland Transfer Station. However, the town charges a mandatory $20 disposal fee for all TVs and monitors, regardless of their size.
Can I get free mulch from the town?
Yes. The Town of Guilderland processes local yard waste into garden mulch and makes it available to residents at the Transfer Station. If you load it yourself by hand, it is completely free. If you want the town to use a loader to fill your truck or trailer, it costs $4 per yard.