Schenectady, NY Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)

Section 161-4C, part of the Mandatory Recycling Law's source-separation scheme in Chapter 161, Article II, treats yard waste as its own recyclable category alongside glass, plastic and scrap metal under § 161-4B(11). Yard waste must be set out for curbside pickup on the resident's regularly scheduled collection day, the same day used for the rest of the household's source-separated recyclables and garbage, rather than on a separate yard-waste-only schedule. The material itself must be bagged in paper biodegradable yard waste bags, not the plastic refuse bags § 161-4H(1) requires for garbage, so it can be composted or processed rather than landfilled.

Branches are handled differently from bagged clippings and leaves: they cannot exceed three inches in diameter, must be cut into lengths no greater than four feet, and must be tied into bundles light and compact enough for one person to lift and carry to the truck. The Director of Solid Waste and solid waste supervisors have authority under § 161-4I to determine the proper curbside location for placing any solid waste, including yard waste, and to determine whether a resident's containers and set-out comply with the chapter.