Resident-provided can (Max 45 gallons) Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be bagged before being placed in the can. Do not pack garbage too tightly. Receptacles must be no larger than 45 gallons. Place at the curb by 6:15 a.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household waste
- ✓Food packaging
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
Resident-provided bin (Max 40 gallons) Bin (Recycling)
Bin must have two official Single Stream Recycling stickers on opposite sides. Maximum size is 40 gallons. All items must be placed loosely inside; do not use plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean glass bottles and jars
- ✓Tin and aluminum cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Newspaper, magazines, and catalogs
- ✓Flattened cardboard (not greasy)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Broken glass or mirrors
- ✕Ceramics and lightbulbs
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in 30-gallon brown bio-degradable paper bags. Branches must be trimmed to 4 feet in length and tied in bundles with twine. No dirt, rocks, or animal feces.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Prunings and plant materials
- ✓Brush and branches (under 3 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (Appliances on specific calendar dates only)
Placement
Place items at the curb no earlier than 2:00 p.m. the day before collection and by 6:15 a.m. on collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, dressers)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Bed frames
- ✓ Large appliances (only on red-circled calendar dates)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (wood, sheetrock, shingles)
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Medical waste
- ✕ Car parts and tires
The traditional bulk sticker fee is currently suspended, allowing standard bulk items to be collected at no additional cost. Check city updates for when the sticker program is reinstated.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
On scheduled holidays, waste collection dates will change. Typically, collections are pushed back by one day for the remainder of the holiday week.
Yard Waste Exception
When in season, yard waste pickups follow the adjusted holiday garbage schedule, as it is collected on your regular refuse day.
Because the city is divided into five districts, residents should always refer to their specific district's Waste Collection Calendar to confirm the exact holiday shift for their neighborhood.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
No Plastic Bags in Recycling
Never bag your single stream recyclables. Plastic grocery bags and trash bags tangle in the sorting machinery at the materials recovery facility and will cause the entire bin to be rejected at the curb.
Keep Pizza Boxes Out
Although cardboard is generally highly recyclable, any cardboard that is dirty or greasy, such as a used pizza delivery box, is considered a contaminant in Schenectady and must be thrown in the regular garbage.
Use Sturdy Twine for Brush
When tying brush and branches into bundles, ensure they are tightly secured with strong twine. Poorly tied bundles that fall apart when lifted by the sanitation workers will be left at the curb.
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MayYard waste collection officially resumes on your first scheduled garbage day in April. Ensure all leaves and yard debris are placed in 30-gallon biodegradable paper bags, as plastic yard bags will not be collected.
Autumn
September - NovemberCurbside yard waste pickup continues through your last scheduled garbage day in November. Loose leaves raked into the street are not accepted and must either be bagged or taken directly to the County Compost Facility.
Winter
December - MarchRegular yard waste collection is completely suspended for the winter season. Expect potential trash collection delays during major snowstorms to allow plow trucks safe access to neighborhood streets.
About Schenectady Waste Management
Five-District Collection Model
The city of Schenectady is divided into five distinct waste collection districts, each assigned its own specific weekly collection date. The city requires that no garbage or recycling be placed on the curb before 2:00 p.m. the day preceding collection. All household waste must be out by 6:15 a.m. on the actual collection day, and any empty containers must be promptly removed within 12 hours after the sanitation truck completes its route.
The Temporary Bulk Item Exemption
In a recent 2026 policy shift, the City Council voted to temporarily suspend the traditional bulk item sticker program. During this period, residents are allowed to place standard bulk items—such as furniture, mattresses, bed frames, and chairs—at the curb alongside their normal garbage at no extra cost. However, white goods and appliances like washers, dryers, and refrigerators still follow a strict schedule and are collected exclusively on dates marked with a red circle on your district calendar.
Single Stream Recycling with Mandatory Stickers
Schenectady utilizes a single stream recycling program, allowing residents to co-mingle paper, plastic, tin, and glass in one bin. A highly unique requirement of this program is that residents must obtain and place two official Single Stream Recycling stickers on opposite sides of their recycling bin. Without these specific decals, the bin may not be serviced. Stickers can be requested by visiting City Hall Room 9 or mailing them a self-addressed envelope.
Strict Container Volume Limitations
To protect the safety of sanitation workers, the Department of Waste Collection actively enforces strict container volume limits. Regular garbage containers and bags must not exceed 45 gallons. Similarly, recycling receptacles must be 40 gallons or smaller; any container exceeding 40 gallons is classified as oversized and will be rejected at the curb. Furthermore, the city mandates that all household garbage must be bagged before being placed inside the bin, whereas recyclables must remain loose.
Schenectady County Household Hazardous Waste Program
Because toxic items like oil-based paint, pesticides, and pool chemicals are strictly banned from the municipal garbage stream, residents must utilize the Schenectady County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program for disposal. This regional service is strictly for county residents and requires advance online or phone registration through the county's recycling department before dropping items off at designated events.
Drop-off Facilities
Weaver Street Transfer Station
2 Weaver St, Schenectady, NY 12305
Materials Accepted
Schenectady County Compost Facility
24 Hetcheltown Rd, Scotia, NY 12302
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should I put my garbage out in Schenectady?
Garbage and recycling must not be placed at the curb before 2:00 p.m. on the day before your scheduled collection. All items must be at the curb no later than 6:15 a.m. on the morning of your collection day.
How do I get a Single Stream Recycling bin sticker?
The city requires official Single Stream Recycling stickers on opposite sides of your bin. You can pick them up in person at City Hall, Room 9, or mail a self-addressed envelope to City Hall to receive them.
Does the city pick up construction debris?
No. By law, the City of Schenectady will not collect wood, sheetrock, shingles, or any construction and demolition debris at the curb. These items must be hauled privately to the Transfer Station at 2 Weaver Street.
How are large appliances and refrigerators collected?
While standard furniture can currently be placed out on your regular trash day, large appliances like washers, dryers, stoves, and refrigerators are only collected on specific dates marked with a red circle on your district's collection calendar.