Troy, NY Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)

Chapter 234 of the Troy City Code, Recycling, sets the sorting rules for every resident of the City of Troy, New York. Under § 234-3(A), commingled recyclables must be stored in a recyclable collection device approved by the Commissioner of General Services before they are set out. Glass, metal and plastic items must be clean with all contents removed, caps come off glass, paper labels come off metal, and newspaper and other fiber-based material should stay dry. The Commissioner can change these preparation requirements to follow market demand.

What counts as a recyclable is defined in § 234-2: clean plastic and glass containers, metal and bimetal cans, dry discarded newspaper, cardboard and flat paper. The City keeps the full designated list on file in the main office of the Department of Public Works. Cardboard excludes wax-coated or soiled cardboard, and the definition of paper excludes wax paper, plastic- or foil-coated paper, styrofoam, carbon paper and paper contaminated by food. Electronic waste is controlled by New York State and is illegal to throw out in a solid waste stream.

Residents must separate recyclables from residential solid waste and must not put them in the same container as other solid waste (§ 234-3(B)(1)). Recyclables belong to the generator until placed at the curb or alley, and then become City property. Scavenging means picking through or removing set-out recyclables without the Commissioner's written permission, and each removal is a separate violation. The Commissioner can collect household hazardous materials and electronic waste periodically, and putting them out outside those collections is a violation. Construction and demolition debris is not collected by the City. White goods and bulk metal are collected curbside once the generator schedules the pickup with the Department of Public Works, subject to fees (§ 234-3(B)(4)).