Environmental Services

Yard Waste Brush Program

See notice below in regards to the commencement dates for Yard Waste Collection. Please check back with this site for any updates.

Notice

The 2023 Yard Waste Program will begin on Monday April 3, 2023.
Please note:

Where a legal holiday falls on a collection day, pick-up for all fire districts may occur on another day during that week.

Yard waste can be delivered to the Colonie Landfill at no charge to residents. Proof of residency is required.

Important:

For the latest information regarding Yard Waste Collection please call our update line at 518-783-LEAF (5323).

Still have questions?

Contact us via the contact section of our main page.

Collection Pick-up Schedule

We pick-up leaf and yard waste on the following days. Check your zone to determine when your curbside collection will occur.

Mondays

Midway / Stanford Heights

Tuesdays

Loudonville / Albany Shaker Rd

Wednesdays

Latham / Schuyler Heights

Thursdays

Boght / Verdoy / Maplewood

Fridays

Fuller Rd / West Albany

Pick-up Zones Map

Yard Waste is collected in the Villages of Colonie & Menands on a weekly basis. For questions about collection within your Town or Village, please call:

Who is it available to?

Leaf and Yard Waste Brush Program is available to residents of Town of Colonie, Village of Menands and Village of Colonie.

Leaf and Yard Waste tips

  • Place your yard waste in biodegradable paper bags or in your reusable container.
  • Containers must not be over 32 gallons in volume or 40 pounds in weight.
  • Place the bags and/or containers at the curbside for your pick-up day.
  • Biodegradable paper bags can be purchased at Supermarkets, Hardware Stores and Home Centers.
Keep in mind:
  • It is no longer necessary to identify reusable containers with stickers purchased from the Town.
  • We ask that you only put acceptable materials into the leaf bags or rigid containers. Any unacceptable materials could contaminate the compost product that we provide the residents each year.
  • If you have any questions regarding what are acceptable yard waste materials that can be accepted in the composting program, how to prepare your yard wastes, what day your yard waste materials are scheduled for collection, you should contact the Division of Environmental Services at (518) 783-LEAF.

What we will accept

  • Lawn clippings
  • Leaves
  • Plant debris
  • Branches & brush up to 3" in diameter & 4' in length, tied with string in manageable bundles (or biodegradable bags)
  • Hay

What we accept must not contain

  • Rocks
  • Sod or dirt
  • Garbage
  • Non-organic material
  • Plastic bags
  • Cardboard
  • Treated wood
  • Construction/Demolition Debris
  • Metal of any type
  • Bee Hive Nests

What we will not accept

  • Bags or containers over 40 lbs. In weight and 32 gallons in volume
  • Any yard waste in plastic bags (this includes orange pumpkin bags)
  • Wreaths due to wire
  • Branches or brush that are not bundled with twine, string or bagged (no wire or tape)
  • Branches or brush over 3" in diameter and 4' in length
  • Branches stuffed in containers
  • Garbage
  • Yard waste containing rocks, sod or dirt
  • We will not enter private property to pick up yard waste. Please put yard waste at curb
  • Yard waste frozen in reusable containers

Composting in Colonie

We convert "raw" yard waste into finished humus soil like compost. Residents may pick up compost produced from the leaf and yard waste program free of charge. Compost can be used for the following:

  • Soil conditioner
  • Increase moisture holding capacity
  • Soil permeability
  • Lawn establishment
  • Ornamental plant potting soil
  • Ornamental plant & shrub mulch
Need to know:

Compost is not recommended for use in vegetable gardens.

Christmas Tree Pick-Up

We pick-up Christmas trees beginning January 3rd, 2023 until all trees are collected (weather permitting), but no later than the last Friday in February.

  • Place your trees on the curb, perpendicular to the road.
  • No ornaments, plastic bags, wires, or other contaminants.
  • Make sure that the trees are stripped of all decorations.
  • This service does not include wreaths or any other holiday decorations.