Albuquerque, New Mexico (ZIP Code 87101), located in Bernalillo County, is the state’s largest city. It is surrounded by nearby cities such as Rio Rancho, Los Lunas, and Santa Fe. Albuquerque’s Solid Waste Management Department ensures smooth and reliable trash, recycling, yard waste, and bulk collection services for residents and businesses. Whether you are a homeowner, a renter, or a business operator, understanding the local trash schedule can help you manage your waste more effectively and avoid any service disruptions.
Albuquerque Solid/Residential Trash Schedule
Residential trash in Albuquerque is collected once a week on a scheduled day, depending on your location. You can easily find your pickup day using the Trash Day Lookup Tool. Every household is provided with a 96-gallon grey cart to dispose of their regular household waste.
Residents must place their carts at the curb by 7:00 AM on the day of collection. Carts should have lids closed properly to prevent spillage and must be placed at least five feet away from any obstacles like vehicles, trees, or mailboxes. The city emphasizes that hazardous waste, construction debris, or hot ashes should not be placed inside the trash carts. Items not allowed in regular trash collection should be disposed of through designated hazardous waste programs.
If you forget to set your cart out on time or miss the pickup, you can report it easily through the Missed Pickup Report Page or call 311 for assistance.
Albuquerque Recycling Trash Schedule
Recycling services run alongside regular trash collection and follow the same weekly schedule. Albuquerque encourages residents to participate in the recycling program by providing a blue 96-gallon cart specifically for recyclables.
Accepted recyclable materials include plastics numbered 1 through 7, clean paper products like newspapers and junk mail, flattened cardboard, and aluminum or steel cans. Items like plastic bags, Styrofoam, and greasy pizza boxes are not accepted and should be disposed of in the trash.
It is essential that all recyclable items are clean and dry before placing them into the blue cart. Contaminated recyclables can lead to an entire batch being rejected. For better recycling management, residents can use the Recycle Coach App to get reminders and tips.
Albuquerque Bulk Trash Schedule
Albuquerque offers free large item pickup services for residential customers, making it easy to dispose of oversized items like furniture, appliances, and mattresses without needing to transport them yourself. Bulk pickup must be scheduled separately and is not automatically collected with regular trash.
To schedule a pickup, residents should either call 311 or submit a request online through the Large Item Pickup Form. The request must be made at least one business day before your regular trash day.
When placing bulk items out for pickup, you should set them neatly at the curb, ensuring they are not blocking sidewalks or streets. If you have extra bags of garbage beyond what fits in your cart, those bags must be tagged with additional bag tags available for purchase. Without proper tagging, there may be an extra service fee applied to your account.
Albuquerque Holiday Trash Schedule
The City of Albuquerque adjusts its trash, recycling, and bulk pickup schedules during major holidays. If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Here’s a quick look at the holiday adjustment:
| Holiday | Schedule Change |
| Thanksgiving Day | Collection delayed by 1 day |
| Christmas Day | Collection delayed by 1 day |
| New Year’s Day | Collection delayed by 1 day |
If the holiday falls on a weekend (Saturday or Sunday), there are no changes to the collection schedule.
Albuquerque Yard Waste Management
Yard waste collection is included as part of the city’s solid waste services. Residents can place yard waste, such as leaves, grass clippings, and small branches, inside their regular grey trash carts. However, all material must fit properly inside the cart with the lid fully closed.
If you have a large amount of yard waste that cannot fit into the cart, you can schedule a special pickup for a fee of $59.31 by calling 311 at least 24 hours in advance. Alternatively, residents can also compost their yard waste or drop it off at designated green waste facilities during seasonal collection events.
It’s important to note that dirt, rocks, and construction debris are not considered yard waste and will not be collected with regular yard debris pickups.
Albuquerque Trash Bill Information
Residential customers pay a standard monthly service fee of $18, which covers trash, recycling, and bulk pickup services. If you require an additional trash cart, there is an extra charge of $7.69 per month for each additional cart.
In certain cases, a fuel surcharge might apply to your bill when fuel prices rise above $2.30 per gallon. This surcharge is added to ensure that the city can maintain its services without interruption.
Bills are issued monthly, and you can make payments online, by mail, or in person at designated city offices. For any billing-related questions or assistance with your account, you can contact the Solid Waste Management Billing Section directly at 505-761-8138.
Albuquerque Trash Can Replacement
If your trash or recycling cart becomes damaged, lost, or stolen, the City of Albuquerque provides a one-time free replacement. After your first free replacement, there will be a fee for subsequent replacements.
The costs are as follows:
- Trash Cart Replacement: $51.10
- Recycling Cart Replacement: Free
You can request a cart repair or replacement by contacting 311 or by filling out the Cart Issues Form online. Damaged carts should be left accessible on your regular trash day so that the city can retrieve and replace them efficiently.
Missed Pickup Assistance
If your trash, recycling, or bulk pickup was missed and it wasn’t due to a holiday delay or improper placement, you can easily report it. Albuquerque’s 311 service handles these requests and ensures a follow-up pickup typically within 24 hours or by the next business day.
Simply visit the Missed Pickup Reporting Page or call 311 to lodge your complaint. It’s recommended to report missed pickups as early as possible to avoid delays.
Additional Services and Tips
The City of Albuquerque also offers graffiti removal, illegal dumping cleanups, and hazardous waste disposal events for residents throughout the year. Keeping your neighborhood clean is a shared responsibility, and the city makes it easier with various public service programs.
Some quick tips for better waste management include:
- Always place trash and recycling carts out by 7:00 AM
- Keep the lids closed to prevent pests and windblown litter
- Separate recyclables properly to reduce contamination
- Schedule bulk pickups ahead of time to avoid missed services
- Stay updated on holiday changes by checking the city’s official solid waste site