Green Waste

Can I Place My Green Waste in My Normal Trash Bin?

Yes, Green Waste can be placed in your normal trash collection bin. However, any Green Waste placed in your normal trash collection bin must fit inside the bin with the lid closed. Any bins with lids open due to excess waste will not be collected. Green Waste may not be placed in recycling bins. Any recycling bin with Green Waste inside will not be collected. 

NOTE: Green Waste placed in your normal trash collection bin will not be processed for reuse and will be dumped at the Cerro Colorado Landfill.

Where Can I Take Green Waste?

City of Albuquerque residents are strongly encouraged to take their green waste to the City’s three Convenience Center locations. Green Waste is separated at those facilities before being processed into a rough chip mulch and used to help prevent erosion at the Cerro Colorado Landfill.

Can I Get My Green Waste Picked Up?

Yes, Green Waste can be picked up on your curbside any time of year for a $59.31 fee to collect bagged Green Waste that does not fit in your normal trash collection bin. Residents must place their green waste (leaves, grass, and brush) in trash bags not weighing more than 40 lbs. each on the curb for curbside pickup. Branches must be cut to 4-ft. lengths and bundled securely. Residents can visit our Large Item Pickup page or call 3-1-1 to schedule the pickup.

Green Waste can also be picked up at curbside for free biannually during the citywide Green Waste Curbside Collection.

Green Waste Curbside Collection

December 2 - December 13, 2024

The City of Albuquerque’s Solid Waste Management Department provides residential Green Waste collection at no additional charge two times each year. During collection events, residents should place their Green Waste at the curb by 7:00AM on the day of their regular trash collection. 

The green waste is processed into a rough chip mulch and used to help prevent erosion at the Cerro Colorado Landfill.

Please call 311 or 505-768-2000 with questions or to report a missed Green Waste pick-up.

Green Waste Collection Event Tips

During collection events, please follow these guidelines:

• Green Waste must be 5 feet away from trash/recycling containers.
• Green Waste including leaves, grass, and brush must be placed in trash bags.
• Trash bags must not weigh more than 40 lbs.
• Cut branches to four-foot lengths and bundle them securely.
• Dirt, debris, gravel, construction material or tree stumps will not be picked up.
• Do not place green waste in your recycling cart.