Weekly Household Garbage Collection - The weekly trash pick up is limited to household garbage. Household garbage should be placed out to the curb or in the alley after 7:00pm the night before your pick up day, or before 6:00am the day of your pick up. Garbage or moist or liquid waste is to be placed in water tight wooden, plastic or metal covered containers or heavy duty plastic bags tied at the top or specially treated paper bags. If animals manage to break open the trash container, it is the responsibility of the resident to clean up the trash. Remember that legal holidays will affect your pick up schedule.
If you are unsure of your scheduled garbage day or if you have any questions concerning pick-ups, please call (518) 270-4579 or 270-1115.

Bulk Refuse Collection Policy - Bulk refuse items include old furniture, appliances, carpets, doors, mattresses, scrap metal, tires, etc. All metals shall be separated from all other bulk items.

1) Collection of a pickup truck quantity or less from and owner occupied single, two, three or four unit residence shall be collected at no charge to the homeowner or tenant.

2) Collections that exceed a pickup truck quantity from an owner occupied single, two, three or four unit residence shall be collected and an appropriate charge shall either be immediately collected from the homeowner / tenant , or, be billed against the property.

3) Rental properties where the owner does not reside shall be treated as a commercial property (business). Collections of any quantity of bulk refuse from a rental property where the owner does not reside shall have a charge levied against the property for the collection. Charges for collections shall be determined by the Commissioner of the DPW, DPW Inspectors or DPW Supervisors. These charges may be paid either at City Hall or at the DPW Garage prior to collection, or, shall be billed against the property.

4) The following properties in the City, including but not limited to; commercial rental properties (offices, retail businesses, apartment.), tax exempt properties and not-for-profit agencies shall not receive bulk refuse collection from the DPW. These properties shall be responsible for bulk refuse removal through the use of private contractors.

To schedule bulk refuse collections contact the DPW Dispatcher at (518) 270-4579 or 270-1115. All bulk collections must be scheduled with the Dispatcher.

Tires - There is a removal fee of $3. per tire.

Household Hazardous - The City coordinates collection for household hazardous waste three times per year with Albany and Colonie. The City does not provide collection for junk vehicles or sewage solids. For more information call (518) 270-4559.

Recyclables - The blue recycle containers should be placed at curbside or in the alley for collection no later than 7:00 am on your scheduled collection day. Plastic, metals and glass cannot be intermixed with newspapers and cardboard. Recyclables cannot be placed in plastic bags. The following commodities are recyclable: junk mail, magazines, newspapers, telephone books, corrugated cardboard, 1,2,3, and 5 plastics, metal food and beverage containers, glass bottles and jars (all colors). For more information on recycling, call (518) 270-4559. Learn more

Yard Waste - Yard waste (grass clippings, leaves, brush, branches, etc.) is collected on a call-in basis throughout the year. Set yard waste out to the curb on the evening before your scheduled day for pick up in biodegradable bags. Curbside location must be easily accessible from the street. Do not set yard waste behind cars, fire hydrants, poles, and bushes or on top of sewer vents. Do not place yard waste in the street or on the sidewalk. Because yard waste is recycled into mulch, all other materials must be removed. Trees and limbs that have been cut by contractors must be removed by the contractor. Tree trimmings and hedge trimmings must be secured in tied bundles not heavier than 75 pounds, not more than 5 feet in length nor more than 18 inches in diameter. Leaves and lawn clippings should be placed in biodegradable paper yard waste bags, which are available at most hardware and home improvement stores. Setting yard waste curbside during any day/week other than the specified day/week of the residence will result in fines.

Construction and Demolition Debris - The City provides collection of construction and demolition debris for residential projects performed by the property owner only. Construction and demolition debris collection carries a minimum $50.00 charge per pickup truck load. Construction and demolition debris collections must be scheduled and paid for before collection by City crews. Prompt notice to the City of construction and demolition debris to be removed is the responsibility of the property owner.

Solid Waste Violations/Penalties - Any solid waste material including construction and demolition material set out to the curb at other than scheduled times is considered illegal disposal. For these violations, the Litter Officer will issue a court appearance ticket and fines will be imposed.