Household Hazardous Waste
Every year the City of Albany offers 9 free Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events as a way for City of Albany residents to dispose of HHW in an easy, safe and responsible way that protects human health and the environment.
Available Dates
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we will not be holding any more household hazardous waste collection events in 2026.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
For some other free disposal options please review the "Alternative Disposal Options" information below or contact us by email at albanyrecycles@albanyny.gov or by phone at 518-427-7480.
Location of Events
City of Albany Landfill
525 Rapp Road
Albany, New York 12205
Time of Events: 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Who is Eligible to Participate?
The City of Albany's Department of General Services provides this service only to City of Albany residents.
Small quantity generators (SQG) - Businesses that generate less than 32 gallons of hazardous waste in a month may participate but will be charged a fee. SQGs must register by contacting the Department of General Services here.
Mandatory Pre-Registration
To participate in one of the collection events, you must pre-register.
Pre-registration is closed for 2026. Please check back again in 2027.
General Registration Guidelines:
To register by phone please call (518) 427-7480.
To register online please click here
Phone registration is closed the Friday before each event, and online registration is closed the Tuesday before each event. (Registration could close earlier if maximum capacity is reached for the event).
List of Accepted Products
Below is a list of the types of products that are accepted at the household hazardous waste collection events. This list is not exhaustive.
If you have a product that you believe is hazardous but is not listed below or in the list of "Excluded Items" please contact us at albanyrecycles@albanyny.gov or by phone at (518) 427-7480.
Please remember all products that are brought to the household hazardous waste collection events should be transported in there originally labeled containers.
Containers should be sealed and properly packaged for safe transport.
Automotive
Gasoline, Motor oil, Antifreeze, Auto cleaning products, Transmission fluid and Brake fluid
Household Products
Caustic & acidic cleaners, Drain cleaners, Flammable caulks & adhesives, Flammable waxes & abrasives, Swimming pool chemicals
Paints &
Stains
Aerosol (spray) paints, Paint cans (oil & latex), Lacquers, Varnishes and Artist paints
Light Bulbs & Batteries
Mercury filled light bulbs (CFLs & tube lights), Car batteries (Lead acid aka Pb), Lithium ion batteries (Li-ION) and Battery acid
Lawn &
Garden
Fertilizers, Herbicides, Weed killers and Lawn care products
Pest
Control
Ant bait & traps, Insecticides, Pesticides and Rodent control products
Miscellaneous Items
Propane cylinders, Fire extinguishers, Photographic chemicals, Chemistry sets, Mineral spirits, Developers, Driveway sealerand Mercury filled devises (thermostats)
Asbestos - all asbestos containing materials must be double bagged in heavy black plastic bags. The contents of the bags must be sprayed with water to prevent airborne particles.
Needles & syringes - Needles and syringes must be placed in a sealed metal can or sharps container with the needles pointing down.
Used cooking oil - Used cooking oil is accepted, but it is not hazardous.
List of Excluded Items
Dried out paint cans - these should be thrown out in your regular trash
Incandescent light bulbs - these should be thrown out in your regular trash
Ammunition
Explosives
Fireworks
Biological waste
Infectious waste
Radioactive materials
Pharmaceuticals
Regulated waste
Unknown substances
Alternative Disposal Options
If you cannot attend one of the City of Albany's collection events there are some alternative options to dispose of your household hazardous waste items.
The PaintCare program offers residents an opporunity to recycle unused paints, stains, sealers, deck coatings, metal coatings and related products.
The program is free and available all year.
To find a participating location click here.
For more information about the types of products that are accepted click here.
Most Home Depot and Lowe's stores have drop off bins for rechargable batteries and Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs (CFLs). The collection bins are typically located near the checkout area.
Lightbulbs:
Accepted: Intact, unbroken CFL bulbs.
Excluded: Broken CFLs, long fluorescent tube bulbs (like T8 or T12 shop lights), incandescent bulbs, and LEDs are generally not accepted.
Rechargable Batteries:
Accepted: Rechargeable tool, phone, and laptop batteries (under 300 watt-hours and up to 11 lbs) such as Lithium-ion, NiCd, NiMH and small sealed lead-acid batteries.
Lead-acid car or tractor batteries (only if originally purchased at Home Depot, with receipt for deposit refund)
Excluded: Single-use alkaline household batteries (AA, AAA, C, D), Damaged or bloated batteries and Car batteries bought elsewhere
Other Resources & Information
Click here for the battery disposal cheat sheet