Refuse and Recycling

The Department of Refuse and Recycling is charged with the removal and disposal of all trash, waste and recycled items for the City.

Bulk Item Disposal for Watervliet Residents – The City of Watervliet designates bulk item disposal dates once a month (March-November). If you would like to schedule a pick up, come to the City Clerk’s office for the paperwork or call 518-270-3800 ext. 115 to confirm availability (fee can then be paid online). There is a fee of $35 that must be paid in order to schedule the pick up. Bulk items must fit into a 4-foot high by 4-foot wide by 8-foot long area. We must reiterate this is a perk for residents. This does not include Watervliet homeowners who live outside the city limits. Click here for a list of items that cannot be picked up.

Pick up date for 2025 are as follows:  March 21 (tentative), April 18, May 16, June 13, July 18, August 8, September 19, October 24, December 5 (tentative).

2025 bulk drop off will be March 28th from 7:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. at Hudson Shores Park – proof of residency required.

Electronics Day for tbd.

Space is limited for each month’s pickups. For further information, please contact the General Manager at 518-270-3800 x122 or the City Clerk at 518-270-3800 x115.

Bulk Drop Off at Hudson Shores Park is scheduled for Friday, March 28, 2025 from 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  Residents can drop off bulk and metal items free of charge (cannot exceed a 4 x 4 x 8 area).  Proof of residency is required to participate.  Electronics Recycling Day will be scheduled at a later date.

Electronics Recycling Date: TBD

The department will follow the schedule listed below for pick up of refuse and recycling:

• Monday-Section 1: South of Arsenal (9th Street) to City line (1st Street)
• Tuesday-Section 2: Arsenal Wall (10th Street) to 15th Street (both sides of 15th)
• Wednesday-Section 3: 15th Street to 19th Street (both sides) to include 12th Ave, Hillside and Wiswall Ave.
• Thursday-Section 4: 19th Street to 25th Street to include 10th, 11th, Glen and Ball.
• Friday: Both trucks will pick up grass clippings from April-November and Christmas trees will be picked up during the month of January. Friday will also be a catch up day for items missed during the week.

When a pick up day falls on a Holiday, garbage will be picked up the following day.

FAQs – City of Watervliet Recycling & Refuse Department

What container do I use for trash or recycling?

All trash containers must have a lid.  If the home is a rental unit that is NOT owner occupied, you are required to purchase tipper cans with lids ATTACHED.  95-gallon cans can be purchased on our website or in person at City Hall for $75.00.  Once payment is made, our DPW Department will deliver the can.  You can also purchase the cans at Home Depot, Lowes, etc.

As far as recycling, you can purchase a blue 65-gallon tipper can on our website or in person at City Hall for $40.00.  This is a discounted price so I would purchase one as soon as possible.  For right now you can also use the smaller bins, but the City plans to phase those out for the larger tipper cans in the next year.

How do I purchase a trash or recycling container?

You can purchase a container by going to the City’s website.  Click the finance tab and then misc. payments and you will see both the garbage can and the recycling can on the lefthand side.  You can also purchase the cans in person at City Hall, Monday-Friday between 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

How much do the containers cost?

At this time, the 95-gallon garbage can cost $75.00; and the 65-gallon recycling can cost $40.00.

Where should my containers be stored?

Containers should be stored in your yard or garage.

When do my containers need to be at the curb or alley?

Your containers should be put out after 4:00 p.m. the day before your garbage pickup.

When do my containers need to be removed after collection?

The containers should be removed within 12 hours of the time of collection.

What is bulk refuse?

Bulk refuse is anything that is not household garbage.  This includes bags of clothes, mattresses, couches, chairs, bedroom furniture, appliances, paint cans, tools, lamps, etc.

How do I dispose of bulk refuse?

One Friday a month the City offers a bulk pick-up day.  Residents can come into City Hall to sign up.  The fee is $35.00 and items must fit into a 4 x 4 x 8 foot area.   Sign up early – spots are limited (proof of residency is required).  You can also pay online but must call Dave at 518-270-3800 ext. 115 first to sign up.  The City also reserves one day in March for residents to bring bulk items to the Hudson Shores Park for drop off which is free of charge.  We also offer one or two electronic recycling days throughout the year.  Always check our website for dates and times.

How do I report illegal dumping?

Call Paul in the Building Department at 518-270-3800 ext. 126 if you witness illegal dumping.  It is helpful to get as much information as possible including license plate and make and model of car/truck.

Where do I file a complaint?

Call the Building Department at 518-270-3800 ext. 126 for information on filing a complaint.

What is the City doing about crows?

The new law regarding tipper cans with lids  is one way the City is combatting crows.  If the cans have lids, the crows can’t get into the garbage.

Watervliet is offering residents the opportunity to purchase 95 gallon commercial grade tipper garbage cans for a price of $75.00 per can and 65 gallon recycling tipper cans for a price of $40 per can.  If you are interested, you can pay cash or check at City Hall or go online to our website under the Finance tab (go to misc. payments).  Once your purchase is complete, the DPW Department will deliver the cans to your house within the next couple business days of purchase.   Should you have further questions, call Stacey at 518-270-3800 ext. 100.