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General Services

Show All Answers

1. What goes in the recycling bin (blue bin)?

The City of Albany provides residents with a blue bin for all recyclables.

The City of Albany uses the "Single Stream" method of recycling. Single Stream is where all recyclables such as glass, metal and plastic containers, paper, cardboard, milk carton and juice containers all go in one bin. All of these items should be placed loosely in the bin. No sorting necessary! It’s recycling made easy.

2. What day can yard waste be put out?

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 and 4 inches long. Yard waste will not be collected unless it is placed in a paper biodegradable bag. Absolutely no plastic bags.

3. Is there a special day to place out appliances?

All appliances should be placed curbside on the regular collection day. When placing a refrigerator curbside, please remove all doors and place doors at the curb.

4. What is the policy with a property that has commercial space on the bottom floor and apartment(s) above that space; does the City pick up the refuse for them?

If a building has a commercial unit in it or the property has more than 4 units it is deemed a commercial space and thus the building owner must provide a private hauler for trash and recycling for the entire building.

5. If a property is deemed to be commercial and has a separate hauler, how do they go about recycling?

The private hauler is responsible for providing a separate receptacle for the purpose of recycling as stated in City Code 313-16. Failure to provide recycling to their tenants can result in a $325 fine.

6. How do you dispose of residential construction debris?

Residential construction debris will be picked up as long as the following is adhered to:

1. It must be neatly containerized in boxes, bags, metal or plastic cans, or tied in bundles. All of which, must be manageable by one person.
2. Loading the debris into collection vehicles should take laborers no more than four trips between the debris piles and the vehicle.
3. Building debris should be placed curbside no more than two times per month on your scheduled collection day.

7. I’m moving out of my home on Tuesday but my trash pickup is not until Friday morning. Can I make special arrangements to have my items picked up on Wednesday?

No. Trash and recycling can only be placed curbside the evening prior to your scheduled pickup day, no earlier than 4:30 pm and no later then 12:01 am. Any items placed curbside earlier or later than the above stated time will result in a fine being issued. The amount of the fine may be up to $650 for violating the City Code. An additional bill will be issued for the cost of removal of the illegal debris.

If you are moving out of your home we encourage you to plan ahead and put a reasonable amount of trash out weekly or to expedite the removal you may hire a private hauler to remove the trash.

8. My trash and recycling is collected on Monday morning but I’m leaving on vacation Saturday morning. Can I place my trash curbside before I leave?

No. Trash and recycling can only be placed curbside the evening prior to your scheduled pickup day, no earlier than 4:30 pm and no later then 12:01 am. Any items placed curbside earlier or later than the above stated time will result in a fine being issued. The amount of the fine may be up to $650 for violating the City Code. An additional bill will be issued for the cost of removal of the illegal debris. If you’re going to be on vacation on your scheduled collection day we encourage you to ask a neighbor, friend or family member to place your trash out within these time limits.

9. If there is a holiday does the trash day change?

No. All holidays will have normal trash and recycling pickup.

10. Who is responsible for maintaining the sidewalk and right-of-ways in front of my house?

All residents, not just homeowners are responsible to maintain their property and the adjoining public ways free of litter and debris, excessive accumulation of animal waste, overgrowth, undergrowth and weeds. Failure to do so will result in the City, after proper notice is given, cleaning the property and billing the homeowner for the cost of the cleanup. An additional fine may be issued up to $650 for violating City Code 313-51.1.

11. Who is responsible for street cleaning?

The Department of General Services is responsible for all street sweeping in the City of Albany. All streets are cleaned on a weekly schedule, weather permitting. Any cars that don’t adhere to the no parking signs will be ticketed.

12. How do you dispose of hazardous waste and electronics?

The City of Albany sponsors several free household hazardous waste and electronics drop off days throughout the year. For more information please call 518-434-2489 or visit the Albany Recycles website.

13. Who is responsible for shoveling the sidewalk in front of my property?

It is the responsibility of all property owners and/or residents to remove snow and ice from the sidewalks adjacent to their property within 24 hours of the end of a snowstorm. In no event shall snow, by anyone, be shoveled, plowed or snow blown into the City streets, carriageways, or crosswalks for removal. Shoveled paths should be wide enough for a wheel chair to pass through. Failure to remove the snow from the sidewalk can result in the City cleaning the sidewalk and the homeowner being billed for the removal as per City Code 323-21/22.

14. How much trash can I place curbside?

The purpose of Albany’s waste collection and recycling program is to collect normal weekly generated household trash and recycling from residential properties with 4 or less units. Excessive quantities of trash may be subject to a bill and fine. Excessive amounts of trash is defined as anything not manageable by 1 person, unable to be loaded into a collection vehicle and takes laborers more than 4 trips between the pile and the vehicle. 

15. What can I put out for trash pick up?

A number of Department of General Services crews work to pick up trash, single stream recycling, and yard waste from the curb. Yard waste must be bundled or contained in biodegradable bags. For more information on what materials can be included in recycling, view the Single Stream Recycling Materials (PDF).

16. Can I put electronics out for pick up?

No. Due to a New York State law, electronics are no longer eligible for curbside pick up. Residents have several options, including our recycling events or dropping off electronics at the Department of General Services between the hours of 8 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, and showing proof of residency. For more information about how to get rid of electronics, visit the Albany Recycles Electronics Recycling page.

17. How can I get cleanup supplies for my event?

The Department of General Services is happy to assist a neighborhood or community group in doing a cleanup project in city neighborhoods. We are able to provide items necessary to having a successful cleanup. Items available are:

• Bags (trash and yard waste)
• Gloves
• Rakes (fan and steel)
• Shovels (flat and pointed)
• Street brooms

To request cleanup supplies click here

18. How can I get mulch or compost?

Residents can pick up 30 gallons of compost and mulch from the Department of General Services for free. Wood chips and topsoil are also available for purchase. Organizations interested in requesting a donation of  City mulch or compost for a community project, on city property, can do so by clicking here.

19. How can I get a tree planted next to my house?

Residents interested in street trees can take advantage of the Adopt A Tree program where the Department of General Services covers half of the cost of planting a tree adjacent to residential property. For more information about this program, call 518-434-2489 or click here.