Albuquerque Garbage Collection & Yard Waste Rules

Public Health and Welfare New Mexico 3 Minutes Read · published February 08, 2026 Flag of New Mexico

Albuquerque, New Mexico residents must follow city rules for curbside garbage, recycling, and yard waste to keep neighborhoods clean and avoid enforcement. This guide explains how collection schedules work, what materials belong in each container, city requirements for yard waste and bulky item pickup, and how to report missed or hazardous waste pickups. It cites official City of Albuquerque sources and shows steps to prepare materials, file complaints, and request special services. Use the collection schedule to confirm your pickup day and read the yard waste rules before setting material at the curb.

Collection schedule & bins

Regular curbside collection schedules are set by the City of Albuquerque Solid Waste department; residents can look up their weekly collection day and holiday adjustments on the official Solid Waste site [1]. Generally, trash, recycling, and organics/yard waste have separate containers or designated bag rules—check your address-specific calendar for exact pickup times.

  • Place carts at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled day unless otherwise noted by the city.
  • Use only approved city-provided carts or authorized bags where required.
  • Separate recyclables and landfill trash according to city guidance to avoid contamination.
Check the online lookup before major holidays to avoid missed collection.

Yard waste rules

Albuquerque permits curbside yard waste collection with specific preparation rules for branches, grass, and leaves; the city provides guidance on acceptable sizes, bundling, and whether bags or carts are required [2]. Some materials, such as dirt, stumps, and treated lumber, are typically not accepted in yard waste collection and require special disposal.

  • Bundle branches with twine; follow length and weight limits posted by the city.
  • Use compostable paper yard-waste bags or the designated green cart where the program is active.
  • For large volumes or bulky green waste, schedule a bulky pickup or use the city disposal site as instructed on the yard waste page.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of garbage and yard waste rules is managed by the City of Albuquerque Solid Waste division and related enforcement units; for reporting, use the official contact or online complaint forms on the city site [1]. Specific monetary fines and escalation steps are not consistently itemized on the public guidance pages.

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation for repeat or continuing offences: not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions may include orders to remove or correct violations, administrative notices, and referral to municipal court where applicable.
  • Enforcer and inspections: City of Albuquerque Solid Waste conducts inspections and enforces collection rules; complaints and service requests are handled through the department contact channels [1].
  • Appeals and reviews: specific appeal procedures and time limits are not specified on the cited pages; contact the department for administrative review options.
If you receive a notice, contact the Solid Waste department promptly to learn appeal steps.

Applications & Forms

No dedicated permit form for routine curbside yard waste collection is published on the basic program pages; scheduling bulky pickups or requesting special services uses online request forms or phone service provided by the Solid Waste division [1]. Fees for special pickups are listed where applicable on the city service pages or by inquiry.

How to report missed pickup or violations

  1. Confirm your pickup day using the city lookup tool and allow until the end of the service day.
  2. Report a missed pickup or violation via the Solid Waste online service request or phone contact on the departmental page [1].
  3. Provide photos, address, and date of occurrence to speed resolution.

FAQ

When is curbside pickup for my address?
Use the City of Albuquerque Solid Waste schedule lookup to find your weekly service day and holiday adjustments. [1]
How should I prepare yard waste?
Bundle branches, use approved bags or green carts, and follow size and weight limits posted by the city. [2]
Who do I call for a bulky green-waste pickup?
Schedule bulky pickups through the Solid Waste services page or contact the department by phone as listed on the city site. [1]

How-To

  1. Find your collection day using the city schedule lookup.
  2. Sort recyclables, trash, and yard waste according to city rules and place approved containers at the curb by 6:00 a.m.
  3. Report missed collection or violations with photos and address via the Solid Waste online request or phone line.
  4. If you receive a notice, contact the Solid Waste division to learn appeal options and timelines.

Key Takeaways

  • Confirm your pickup day on the official city lookup before setting bins at the curb.
  • Follow yard waste preparation rules to avoid service refusal or enforcement notices.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Albuquerque Solid Waste
  2. [2] City of Albuquerque yard waste guidance

Categories

General Governance and Administration Public Safety Public Health and Welfare Land Use and Zoning Housing and Building Standards Transportation Environmental Protection Parks and Public Spaces Business and Consumer Protection Taxation and Finance Labor and Employment Education Civil Rights and Equity Elections and Campaign Finance Events and Special Uses Signs and Advertising Utilities and Infrastructure Technology and Data