City-Issued (Black) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be placed in the city-provided, water-tight container with the lid closed. Place at the curb or alley after 7:00 p.m. the night before, or before 6:00 a.m. on pickup day. No loose bags outside the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
City-Issued Recycling Cart Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must go into the city-issued recycling container. Do not place recyclables inside plastic bags. Contaminated bins will not be collected.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paper
- ✓Metal cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Ceramics and dishware
- ✕Window glass
- ✕Paper receipts and tissues
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Leaves and grass must be in biodegradable paper bags and placed out on your regular trash day. Brush and branches require a scheduled appointment and must be bundled (max 5 feet, max 75 lbs).
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Weeds
- ✓Small twigs
- ✓Bundled brush (by request only)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By Appointment Only
Placement
Items must only be placed out after an appointment is secured and fees are paid/arranged. Do not leave items out for several days, as it invites illegal dumping by others.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large and small furniture
- ✓ Appliances (Freon appliances accepted with fee)
- ✓ Tires (accepted with fee)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Paint
- ✕ Commercial construction materials
- ✕ Electronics (TVs/computers)
Owner-occupied properties pay a $25 hauling fee per 2 cubic yards. Renter-occupied properties pay the $25 hauling fee plus individual per-item fees (e.g., $10 for a mattress, $15 for a couch).
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
There is no garbage or recycling pickup on the four major observed holidays. Service for the affected day shifts to the next following business day.
Yard Waste Exception
Bagged yard waste will also be collected on the next business day following the holiday, running concurrently with the delayed trash schedule.
Holidays like MLK Day, Presidents' Day, and Veterans Day do not disrupt the DPW collection schedule. Put your bins out as normal.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Ceramics Are Not Recyclable
Even though they might feel like glass, old plates, coffee mugs, and ceramic bowls cannot go in your curbside recycling bin. If they are broken, wrap them in paper and throw them in your regular trash to protect sanitation workers.
Keep Plastic Out of Yard Bags
City crews will tag and leave behind any paper yard bags containing plastic plant pots, soil/fertilizer bags, construction debris, or dog waste. Yard waste must be strictly organic to be composted.
Contain Your Trash
Under the new Trash Barrel Program, all garbage must fit inside the city-issued lidded cart. Loose plastic bags left on the curb or alleyway invite pests and will be left behind by automated side-loader trucks.
Seasonal Information
Spring / Summer
April - AugustLawn care season generates heavy yard waste. Remember that grass clippings must go in biodegradable paper bags. Do not rake yard debris into the street or pile it behind parked cars, as this hinders street cleaning operations.
Fall
September - NovemberDuring peak leaf-fall, residents have the option to skip the curb and bring their bagged leaves directly to the Troy Resource Management Facility (former Alamo) in South Troy on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Winter
December - MarchKeep your standardized carts clear of snow banks. Do not place carts in the roadway where they block snowplows. Note that major winter holidays like Christmas and New Year's Day push collection back to the next business day.
About Troy Waste Management
The Collar City's Transition to Standardized Trash Barrels
To combat wind-blown litter and deter urban wildlife, the City of Troy recently overhauled its sanitation system through the ARPA-funded Trash Barrel Program. Eligible residential units are now equipped with standardized, heavy-duty lidded carts (primarily 96-gallon, with 32-gallon options for limited spaces). Under these updated regulations, all household waste must fit entirely inside the closed, city-issued barrel. Leaving loose plastic garbage bags at the curb or in the alleyway is no longer permitted and will result in uncollected waste.
Navigating Single-Stream Recycling
Troy operates a single-stream recycling program, meaning all approved cardboard, paper, glass, and rigid plastics can be mixed into your designated city-issued recycling cart. While the system is convenient, the Bureau of Sanitation warns against 'wish-cycling.' Items like ceramics, paper receipts, tissues, and window glass are strictly prohibited. Contaminating the recycling stream with these materials or bagging your recyclables in plastic forces the city to divert entire loads to the landfill.
How to Properly Manage Yard Waste and Brush
Yard waste collection in Troy is a two-tiered system. Small organic debris like grass clippings, leaves, and weeds must be placed in biodegradable paper yard bags and are collected automatically on your regular garbage day. However, woody debris such as brush, branches, and hedge trimmings require an entirely different protocol. Residents must schedule a special brush pickup via the DPW dispatcher or the city's online portal, ensuring all limbs are cut to a maximum of 5 feet and tied in bundles weighing no more than 75 pounds.
Strict Enforcement for Bulk Trash and Illegal Dumping
Disposing of mattresses, couches, or old appliances requires a proactive approach in Troy. Residents must schedule a bulk pickup appointment before placing any oversized items on the curb. A flat $25 hauling fee applies to owner-occupied properties, while renter-occupied units face the hauling fee plus individual item charges (e.g., $15 for large furniture, $10 for mattresses). Placing bulk items out without an appointment violates City Code Section 188-3 (Littering) and subjects the property owner to immediate fines and removal charges.
Drop-off Facilities
Troy Resource Management Facility (Alamo)
South Troy (contact DPW for specific access)
Materials Accepted
Rensselaer County Household Hazardous Waste Events
Locations vary by event (registration required)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my own trash cans instead of the city-issued barrel?
No. The City of Troy requires all household trash to be placed inside the official city-provided, water-tight cart (either the 96-gallon or 32-gallon version). Loose bags or non-city bins will not be collected by the automated trucks.
What happens if I place bulk trash at the curb without calling?
You will be subject to a removal charge and a penalty for violating City Code Section 188-3 (Littering). All bulk pickups in Troy must be scheduled in advance with the DPW dispatcher.
Do I need an appointment for branches and tree limbs?
Yes. While bagged leaves and grass are collected automatically on your regular trash day, woody brush and branches require a scheduled pickup. Branches must be tied in bundles under 75 pounds and no longer than 5 feet.
Can I use plastic garbage bags for my fall leaves?
No. All leaves, grass, and weeds must be placed in biodegradable paper yard waste bags. City crews will place violation stickers on plastic bags or paper bags contaminated with litter, and they will be left at the curb.