Trash & Recycling in Albuquerque, NM (2026)
9 verified trash & recycling rules for Albuquerque, New Mexico, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Albuquerque requires refuse and recycling carts out by 7 a.m. on collection day, no earlier than 12 hours prior, and removed from curbside within 24 hours after pickup, per the city's Solid Waste Management ordinance.
Albuquerque Curbside Pickup Timing Rules
Some Restrictions§ 9-10-1-6(E)(2), (E)(4)
Residential refuse and recyclable carts shall be placed out for pick up no later than 7:00 a.m., on the regularly scheduled day but no sooner than 12 hours prior to pick up unless otherwise specified by the Mayor. ... Within 24 hours after scheduled pickup, automated collection carts shall be removed from curbside.
Bin Placement Rules
Albuquerque residents must set carts out by 7 a.m. on pickup day, place them wheels-to-curb near the driveway edge, and pull them back within 24 hours.
Albuquerque Trash Cart Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsRevised Ordinances of Albuquerque § 9-10-1-6(E)(2)-(4)
Residential refuse and recyclable carts shall be placed out for pick up no later than 7:00 a.m., on the regularly scheduled day but no sooner than 12 hours prior to pick up unless otherwise specified by the Mayor. ... City issued automation collection carts containing refuse or recyclable material shall be placed in the gutter, wheels against the curb, near the right side of the driveway, or as...
Bulk Item Disposal
Albuquerque's standard residential trash rate already includes large-item pickup, so most bulky household junk goes out with regular collection at no extra charge. Excess beyond what the Mayor considers normal accumulation triggers a special collection with its own fee.
Albuquerque Large Item Trash Pickup
Some RestrictionsAlbuquerque Code of Ordinances § 9-10-1-8(B)(1)
(B) Limitations on Quantity. (1) Residential. The city shall collect the refuse and recyclable material of each family during a collection period for the standard charge. Any excessive accumulation as determined by the Mayor may require a special collection at an additional fee. ... Note 4 to Collection and Disposal Rates Appendix: The Residential Rate includes residential collection ...
Recycling Requirements
Any Albuquerque apartment, mobile home park or condo complex with 25 or more units must set up and run its own recycling collection program through the city. Smaller complexes can opt in, but the responsible party must notify tenants in writing at least twice a year.
Albuquerque Apartment Recycling Mandate
Some RestrictionsAlbuquerque Code of Ordinances § 9-10-1-10
§ 9-10-1-10 MULTIPLE-FAMILY DWELLING RECYCLING. (A) Requirements for Establishment of Recycling Program. (1) The responsible party for each multiple-family dwelling of less than 25 units may work with the city to establish a recycling program... unless otherwise specified by the Mayor. (2) The responsible party for each multiple-family dwelling of 25 units or more shall est...
Illegal Dumping
Albuquerque bans discarding refuse anywhere outdoors except at the approved time and place for that person's own collection service, with each day of violation a separate misdemeanor offense.
Illegal Dumping Penalties in Albuquerque
Heavy RestrictionsRevised Ordinances of Albuquerque § 9-10-1-9
No person may discard refuse anywhere outdoors within the boundaries of the city except at a time and place approved for collection of that person's refuse under the terms of §§ 9-10-1-1 et seq. and regulations authorized by said sections or other provisions of this code or ordinances of the city. No person shall place refuse and/or recyclable material in the receptacle of another person withou...
Yard Waste Collection
Tree trimmings and other bundle-ready yard waste set out for city pickup must be tied into bundles no bigger than 4 feet long, 2 feet across, and 40 pounds each.
Albuquerque Yard Waste Bundling Limits
Some RestrictionsRevised Ordinances of Albuquerque § 9-10-1-6(E)(1)(c)
Tree trimmings and similar refuse suitable for bundling will be tied in bundles not to exceed four feet in length and two feet in diameter and 40 pounds in weight. (d) Any areas served by manual collection must have recyclable materials properly bundled, packaged, and placed at the curb for collection, as determined by the Mayor. (2) Residential refuse and recyclable carts sh...
Dumpster Rules
Commercial dumpsters need a city-approved site plan; enclosures must screen them from the street and match their height, and street right-of-way placement needs a variance.
Albuquerque Dumpster Placement & Enclosure Rules
Some RestrictionsRevised Ordinances of Albuquerque § 9-10-1-7
No site plan shall be approved if it would place a container which is over three feet high in a required front or corner zoning setback area unless such a container was approved prior to October 1, 1985. ... No site plan shall be approved if it locates a container on public street right of way unless an appropriate variance is granted. ... The height of the enclosure shall be not less than the ...
Collection Schedule
Albuquerque runs trash collection as a city monopoly: private haulers are barred from picking up residential refuse, and virtually every occupied premises is automatically billed for city service whether or not you set out a can.
Albuquerque Mandatory Solid Waste Collection
Significant RestrictionsRevised Ordinances of Albuquerque § 9-10-1-5(A)
Except as otherwise provided herein, all refuse accumulated in the city shall be collected, conveyed, and disposed by the city. No person shall collect, convey over any of the streets or alleys of the city, or dispose of any refuse accumulated in the city except as herein provided. The Mayor shall have the authority to make regulations concerning the days of collections, type and location of pi...
Recycling Rules
Albuquerque residents must keep recyclable material separate from trash and properly bagged, bundled or contained before it goes in the city cart. Automated carts cap out at 150 pounds, and manual-collection bundles must stay under four feet long and forty pounds.
Albuquerque Curbside Recycling Prep Rules
Some RestrictionsAlbuquerque Code of Ordinances § 9-10-1-6(A), (E)
(A) Separation of Refuse. Refuse, ashes and recyclable material shall each be placed and maintained in separate containers if the Mayor so requires. ... (E)(1)(a) Automated collection carts may not exceed 150 pounds when full. (b) All refuse and/or recyclable material shall be properly contained and secured before being placed in the automated collection cart and the lid shall be closed so as...
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