Waste Collection Rules

The City of Albany only collects trash and recycling from residential dwellings from (4) four or less units located on a single property. All others, including mixed occupancy buildings, must contract for private collection.

Trash, recyclables, yard waste and bulky items must be placed curbside not before 7:00 p.m. and/or dusk but before 12 midnight the evening prior to their collection day.

The purpose of Albany’s waste collection and recycling program is to collect normal weekly-generated trash and recycling. Large quantities of trash and recycling are subject to billing.

All Holidays will have normal trash and recycling pickup.
All garbage must be containerized using heavy-duty plastic bags, metal or plastic containers. Such metal or plastic containers shall have a maximum volume of 32 gallons and shall be fitted with lids.
A recycling bin (provided by the city) for containers (glass/metal/plastic) and mixed paper must be used.
The containers (glass/metal/ #1 & # 2 plastics) must be clean and placed loosely in the bottom of your recycling bin. Broken glass is not recyclable and should be independently wrapped and placed with regular household trash. Only #1 & # 2 plastic in the form of a bottle or jug can be recycled. A simple rule is to look for the neck; if the plastic container has a neck, it can be recycled.

NO PLASTIC BAGS PLEASE!

Mixed paper, which can include almost all types of paper (such as newspaper, magazines and phone books), must be tied, placed in a brown paper bag or placed loosely inside of the recycling bin on top of the loose recyclables. Plastic Bags are not accepted. Papers in a brown bag can be placed on top of the recycling bin.
Cardboard must be flattened and tied no longer than 3 feet x 2feet.
Yard waste for city collection must be placed in a biodegradable paper bag and placed curbside the evening prior to your collection day. Grass and leaves only. No dirt or stones. Branches must be bundled and tied together and should not exceed 4 feet 4 inches long. Yard waste will not be collected unless it is placed in a paper biodegradable bag. Absolutely no plastic bags.
Trash cans and recycling bins are not permitted to be stored in public view.
Residential construction debris will be picked up as long as the following is adhered to:

It must be neatly containerized in boxes, bags, metal or plastic cans, or tied in bundles. All of which, must be manageable by (1) one person.
Loading the debris into collection vehicles should take laborers no more than (4) four trips between the debris piles and the vehicle.
Building debris should be placed curbside no more than (2) two times per month on your scheduled collection day.
Bulky items, such as tires and white goods (refrigerators, washing machines, hot water tanks, etc), must be placed curbside the evening prior to your collection day. Please call the Department of General Services at 434-CITY (2489) at least 24 hours prior to setting out these materials. BE AWARE: Doors must be removed from refrigerators and freezers. It’s the law!
Household hazardous waste is not accepted curbside however the City of Albany sponsors (11) eleven FREE household hazardous waste drop off events each year. Call the Department of General Services at 434-CITY (2489) for dates and a list of acceptable materials.