Yard Waste Collection: Albany vs Colonie

Can I use plastic bags for yard waste in Albany?

No. The Department of General Services explicitly does not accept yard waste in plastic bags — only biodegradable paper bags. Plastic-bagged yard waste will be left at the curb with a non-collection tag.

When do I put my yard waste out for collection?

Place yard waste curbside the evening prior to your regular weekly trash collection day. Albany runs collection Monday through Friday, with the specific day depending on your address.

How long can my branches be?

Branches must be bundled and tied with twine — no wire — and no bundle can exceed 4 feet 4 inches in length. Each bundle must be light enough for one DGS worker to lift.

How do I put out yard waste in Colonie?

Use BIODEGRADABLE PAPER BAGS ONLY - plastic bags including orange pumpkin bags are explicitly NOT collected. Bags must be under 40 lbs (any heavier and workers will leave them at the curb). Branches and brush up to 3 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length must be tied with string in manageable bundles. The Town's Leaf and Yard Waste Brush Program serves Town of Colonie, Village of Menands, and Village of Colonie residents on scheduled curbside collection days (check the Environmental Services zone schedule). The Town will not enter private property - all material must be at the curb. For free direct drop-off, take yard waste to the Colonie Landfill at 4 Arrowhead Lane with proof of residency.

What if my branches are too big for Colonie curbside?

Branches larger than 3 inches in diameter or longer than 4 feet must be self-hauled to the Colonie Landfill at 4 Arrowhead Lane (Cohoes) - free for Town residents with a green resident sticker on the vehicle. Landfill hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Saturday 7:00 a.m. to noon (Oct-May winter) or 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Jun-Sep summer). Closed Sunday. Alternatively, hire a licensed tree service that includes hauling, or cut larger branches down to the 3-inch-diameter / 4-foot-length curbside specs and bundle them with string. The Town Yard Waste Composting program accepts material directly.

When does Colonie pick up Christmas trees?

The Town of Colonie Christmas tree collection begins January 5, 2026 and continues until all trees are collected, weather permitting - but no later than the last Friday in February. Remove ALL decorations before set-out: lights, tinsel, ornaments, hooks, plastic bags, and the tree stand. Any non-organic material disqualifies the tree from composting. Place the tree at the curb on your regular yard-waste collection day. If your tree is collected after the February cutoff is missed, self-haul to the Colonie Landfill (4 Arrowhead Lane) - free for residents with a green sticker.