Junk removal costs in Albany

Albany measures a trash pile in trips. If the city's crew needs more than four trips between your pile and the truck, or a piece is too much for one person to handle, the city counts it as excessive. That can bring a bill and a fine. Keep each set-out small and you stay inside the regular service, which covers homes with four units or fewer.

Furniture, mattresses and even porcelain tubs, sinks and toilets can go to the curb in limited amounts. Call the Department of General Services at least 24 hours before your collection day, during weekday business hours, so they know it's coming. White goods like a fridge, freezer, stove, air conditioner or water heater can go out too, with every fluid drained. State law says a fridge or freezer can't go to the curb with its doors on.

A mattress or box spring has its own routine. Schedule the pickup with the city, strip the bedding, and wrap it in a heavy plastic mattress bag. The city hands out those bags at its General Services and Neighborhood Services offices. It goes out after 4:30 p.m. the night before.

Electronics and hazardous waste never go curbside. The city runs drop-off events for those, for Albany residents only.

Doing your own renovation? Debris from it can go out at most twice a month, on your regular day, bundled or in cans, with each piece light enough for one person to lift.