Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Rotterdam
Trash Day
Trash collection is not provided by the Town of Rotterdam; residents must contract with private haulers (such as County Waste, Casella/Twin Bridges, or Waste Management), with pickup days determined by your selected hauler.
Recycling
Recycling is coordinated directly through your private hauler, typically on the same day as weekly or bi-weekly trash collection.
Yard Waste
Seasonal curbside collection is provided by the Town Highway Department from mid-April through late November, including special spring and fall loose brush pickups and winter Christmas tree collection.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash collection fees are paid directly to your chosen private hauler. Municipal water and sewer bills are issued annually by the town in late spring and paid through the Receiver of Taxes.
Billing Cycle
Annual (Water/Sewer)
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, Drop Box, In-Person
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Residential Solid Waste Removal via Private Carters
Unlike some neighboring municipalities, the Town of Rotterdam operates on a completely privatized sanitation model for everyday household garbage. The local municipal government does not dispatch town-owned garbage trucks for residential curbside pickup. Instead, property owners are required to independently hire a licensed private hauling company to manage their weekly refuse. Because each vendor sets its own operational rules, your specific collection day, approved container sizes, and monthly subscription fees will depend entirely on the company you select. It is highly recommended to consult your chosen contractor regarding their specific policies on holiday route delays, maximum weight limits, and acceptable bin placements.
Schenectady County Recycling Standards
Even though trash collection is handled by private businesses, all Rotterdam residents are still legally obligated to adhere to Schenectady County's comprehensive recycling mandates. Your hauler will provide a distinct recycling bin for single-stream collection. Acceptable items generally include flattened corrugated cardboard, aluminum food cans, and clean plastic containers. You must avoid discarding tanglers like garden hoses, electrical cords, or plastic shopping bags into these bins, as they cause catastrophic jams at regional material sorting facilities. If your household consistently generates excessive recyclable materials, you should contact your private carter to request a larger receptacle.
Town Highway Department Leaf and Brush Operations
While everyday trash is privatized, the Town of Rotterdam Highway Department does step in to assist residents with seasonal green waste management. During specific weeks in the spring and fall, town crews conduct curbside sweeps to collect fallen leaves and yard debris. To participate, residents must pack their leaves exclusively into biodegradable brown paper lawn bags. Any yard waste stuffed into plastic garbage bags will be entirely ignored by the highway crews. For tree maintenance, loose brush and small branches must be tightly bundled, typically restricted to a manageable length so that workers can easily toss them into the municipal chippers.
Household Hazardous Material and Electronics Drop-Off
Highly toxic substances and obsolete electronics cannot simply be tossed into your privately rented garbage cart, as they pose severe environmental risks to local landfills. Items like wet oil-based paint, anti-freeze, and lawn pesticides must be stored safely until they can be surrendered during Schenectady County's designated Household Hazardous Waste collection days. Similarly, discarded televisions, computers, and other e-waste must be recycled through certified electronics vendors or dropped off at authorized county recycling events. Always verify the current drop-off schedule on the county website before loading dangerous chemicals into your personal vehicle.
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 bins?
No. The town does not offer municipal trash pickup. Residents must contract with a private waste hauler, and that specific company will provide the necessary garbage and recycling bins.
How do I get rid of my autumn leaves?
The Town Highway Department conducts seasonal pickups for green waste. Leaves must be placed neatly at the curb in biodegradable paper bags, as plastic bags will not be collected.
Where can I throw away an old television or computer?
Electronics are banned from standard landfills. You must bring your e-waste to designated Schenectady County electronic recycling events or authorized local drop-off facilities.