Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Schenectady
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week across 5 neighborhood districts (Monday through Friday depending on your designated district).
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on the same day as your regular trash collection.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected weekly on your regular collection day from April through November.
Set Out Time
By 6:15 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash collection and municipal water/sewer fees are bundled directly into your quarterly property tax bill issued each January, April, July, and October.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly (Included in Property Taxes)
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, Drop Box, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Property tax exemptions, including the Senior STAR exemption, are available for qualifying senior homeowners through the City Assessment Office.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
City of Schenectady Waste Collection Essentials
The Department of General Services (DGS) oversees residential solid waste collection for the City of Schenectady. To maintain clean streets and deter urban wildlife, residents are expected to place their household refuse at the curb no earlier than 4:00 PM on the day preceding their scheduled pickup, and absolutely no later than 6:00 AM on the day of collection. All standard household garbage must be contained within heavy-duty, tightly lidded bins to prevent litter from scattering across neighborhoods. Following your collection, empty receptacles must be removed from the public right-of-way by 8:00 PM that same evening.
Navigating the Local Recycling Program
Schenectady operates a comprehensive recycling initiative designed to divert reusable materials from regional landfills. Homeowners must utilize the city-issued recycling bins to dispose of glass containers, metal food cans, and acceptable plastics. Cardboard must be broken down entirely and neatly stacked or tied in bundles. It is vital to remember that plastic grocery bags, food-soiled pizza boxes, and styrofoam packaging are strictly prohibited from the recycling stream. Throwing these unapproved items into your bin can lead to a rejected pickup, as contaminated loads carry heavy financial penalties for the municipality.
Disposal of Furniture and Oversized Items
Getting rid of an old mattress, a broken sofa, or a dining table requires a bit of advanced planning in Schenectady. Residents cannot simply drag massive items to the curb alongside their weekly trash. The city requires homeowners to utilize the designated bulk waste collection service. Depending on the current municipal guidelines, you may need to contact the DGS dispatcher directly to coordinate a special pickup date for these bulky items. Furthermore, items like mattresses often need to be encased in protective plastic bags prior to placement at the curb to protect sanitation workers from potential pests.
Handling Yard Debris and Autumn Leaves
Property upkeep generates a significant amount of organic waste, particularly during the spring pruning and autumn leaf-falling seasons. The City of Schenectady provides targeted yard waste collection to handle these seasonal influxes. Grass clippings, small twigs, and leaves must be packed securely into biodegradable brown paper lawn bags; plastic bags will be ignored by the collection crews. If you have trimmed tree branches, they must be cut down to manageable lengths—typically under four feet—and tied together securely. Dirt, heavy rocks, and large stumps are not considered standard yard waste and must be disposed of privately.
Impact of Holidays on Your Pickup Schedule
When a major federal or state holiday interrupts the standard workweek, Schenectady’s sanitation crews adjust their routes accordingly. Holidays such as New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas will cause a one-day delay in garbage and recycling collection for the remainder of that week. For example, if a holiday falls on a Tuesday, Tuesday's route will be picked up on Wednesday, and Friday's regular route will shift to Saturday.
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
Who do I call if my garbage wasn't picked up in Schenectady?
If your trash was properly placed at the curb by 6:00 AM and was still missed, you should contact the Schenectady Department of General Services (DGS) waste dispatch line to report the issue and request a courtesy pickup.
Can I throw old televisions in my regular garbage bin?
No. Electronic waste, including CRT televisions, monitors, and laptops, is banned from standard curbside collection under New York State law. You must take these items to designated e-waste drop-off events or authorized recycling centers.
How do I safely get rid of leftover house paint?
Liquid paint cannot be thrown in the trash. You must leave the lid off to let it dry completely, or mix it with an absorbent material like cat litter. Once hardened into a solid block, the can may be discarded with your regular refuse.