Varies by private hauler Bin (Trash)
Trash collection is managed by private subscription. Must be placed in the cart provided by your contracted hauler (e.g., County Waste or Twin Bridges) according to their specified times and curb clearance requirements.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household refuse
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
Varies by private hauler Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is mandatory per local and state law. Check with your specific private hauler regarding single-stream sorting rules, bin placement, and what plastics are accepted.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic containers
- ✓Metal cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Hazardous waste
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Available April through November. Must be in compostable paper bags or labeled, covered containers (max 32 gal / 40 lbs). Brush must be tied in bundles. Loose limbs up to 8 feet are collected only during special bi-annual windows.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Brush (max 4 ft long and 3 inches diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Varies by private hauler contract
Placement
You must schedule a special bulk pickup with your private hauler and follow their exact placement instructions. Do not leave heavy items at the curb indefinitely.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Appliances (subject to private hauler restrictions)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Wet paint
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Electronics
Additional fees and surcharges for bulk pickups are determined exclusively by your private hauler's subscription terms.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because garbage and recycling are managed by private companies, holiday delays depend entirely on their corporate schedules. Typically, collections shift forward by one day following a major holiday.
Yard Waste Exception
The Rotterdam Highway Department observes standard municipal holidays, which will delay your scheduled yard waste pickup for that specific week.
Always verify your specific trash and recycling holiday schedule directly through your contracted private hauler's website, app, or annual calendar.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Never Use Plastic Bags for Leaves
The Rotterdam Highway Department strictly requires all leaves and grass clippings to be placed in compostable paper bags or rigid 32-gallon containers. Any yard waste placed in plastic grocery or garbage bags will be rejected and left at the curb.
Do Not Exceed Yard Waste Weight Limits
If you choose to use a rigid, covered 32-gallon container for your yard waste instead of paper bags, ensure the total weight does not exceed 40 pounds. Excessively heavy bins pose a safety risk and will not be lifted by highway crews.
Keep E-Waste Out of Your Private Bins
Electronic waste like televisions, computers, and monitors are banned from landfills in New York State. You cannot throw them in your private hauler's trash bin; you must bring them to a certified e-waste recycling drop-off in Schenectady County.
Seasonal Information
Spring
April to JuneThe first major loose brush pickup window runs from mid-April through mid-June. This is the ideal time to clear out winter storm damage, as the town will use heavy machinery to collect limbs up to eight feet long.
Autumn
September to NovemberThe second loose brush collection window runs from September through early November. Standard bagged yard waste collection ceases entirely by late November as the Highway Department prepares its trucks for snowplow season.
Winter
December to MarchMunicipal yard waste services are fully suspended. Ensure your private trash and recycling carts are placed at the end of a shoveled driveway, rather than in the street, to avoid interfering with the town's snow removal operations.
About Rotterdam Waste Management
Navigating the Private Hauler System in Rotterdam
The Town of Rotterdam does not provide municipal garbage or recycling collection funded through property taxes. Instead, homeowners must independently establish a private subscription with a licensed solid waste hauler. The primary companies servicing the area include County Waste & Recycling Service, Twin Bridges Disposal, and Waste Management. When moving into town, contacting one of these providers to set up your weekly schedule, acquire specialized rolling carts, and understand their specific placement rules should be a top priority.
The Highway Department's Comprehensive Yard Waste Program
While household trash is privatized, the Rotterdam Highway Department manages a robust municipal yard waste collection program from early April through late November. To ensure pickup, standard weekly yard waste must be placed in compostable paper bags or covered, labeled containers no larger than 32 gallons and weighing no more than 40 pounds. Standard brush must be cut to four-foot lengths, tied securely, and placed at the curbline for the highway crews.
Bi-Annual Loose Brush Collection Windows
For residents tackling major landscaping, storm cleanup, or tree pruning, the Highway Department offers two highly convenient 'loose brush' collection periods: typically mid-April through mid-June, and early September through the beginning of November. During these specific timeframes, the town utilizes specialized equipment to collect larger, unbundled tree limbs measuring up to eight feet in length and three inches in diameter.
Handling Bulky Waste and Heavy Cleanouts
Since the town relies on private haulers and does not offer a free municipal bulk cleanup week, disposing of old furniture, mattresses, or renovation debris requires a bit of coordination. You must contact your private hauler for a special paid bulk pickup. For major house cleanouts or construction projects, residents commonly rent roll-off dumpsters from private companies or transport their heavy debris directly to authorized Schenectady County transfer stations.
Drop-off Facilities
Schenectady County Compost and Recycling Facility
24 Hetcheltown Road, Glenville, NY 12302
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Town of Rotterdam provide municipal garbage collection?
No, the town does not include garbage or recycling collection in your property taxes. Residents must hire a licensed private waste hauler, such as County Waste, Twin Bridges Disposal, or Waste Management.
When does Rotterdam pick up yard waste?
The Highway Department collects yard waste from April through late November. Materials must be in compostable paper bags or covered 32-gallon containers weighing less than 40 pounds. Regular bundled brush must be cut to four-foot lengths.
What is the town's loose brush collection schedule?
Twice a year (mid-April to mid-June, and September to early November), the town provides a special loose brush pickup where they will collect larger unbundled tree limbs measuring up to eight feet long and three inches in diameter.
How do I throw away an old couch or mattress in Rotterdam?
Because there is no town-wide bulk collection service, you must contact your private waste hauler to schedule and pay for a special heavy item pickup, or haul the items to a local transfer station yourself.