Sandia Heights Sanitation
Refuse Collection Policy
Rules and guidelines for trash, recycling, bin service, and special pickups — everything residents need to know about weekly collection.
Brown lid
trash · weekly
Green lid
recycling · every other week
By 7:00 a.m.
at the curb on collection day
Regular Trash Bin Service
Sandia Heights Services monthly sanitation charge includes one trash bin (brown lid) and one recycle bin (green lid).
Trash is collected each week and must be deposited in bins provided by Sandia Heights Services. Items placed outside, sitting next to, or on top of the bin(s) will not be collected. All trash should be placed and secured in plastic bags if possible. This will help keep the bin(s) clean and prevent spillage. Other materials, such as tree branches, should fit easily into the bin(s) to ensure ease of unloading.
Bins should be put out no later than 7:00 a.m. on your collection day. Bins need to be placed at the curbside or road's edge, with the lid firmly closed and should be as close to the roadway as possible, in a location clear from vehicular traffic and must not prohibit pedestrian movement. Bins should be clearly visible and accessible. The maximum bin weight for both regular trash and recycle is 150 lbs. Do not overfill your container or it will not be collected.
For residents moving out of the area, do not take the bin(s); each bin is assigned to the residence and is the property of Sandia Heights Services.
Sandia Heights, Primrose Pointe and North Tramway Estates subdivision covenants require all trash containers be shielded from public view. Please place the bins inside the garage, on the side of your home or in the backyard.
Additional Bins
Residents may request additional trash or recycle bins for the following additional monthly fee:
Recycle Service
Recycling is included with your service at no additional monthly charge. Recycle bins have a green lid and are collected every other week — put yours out with your regular trash by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day. Full guidelines on what is and isn't accepted are on the Recycling Guide, and collection weeks are listed on the Recycle Calendar.
Special Pickups & Excess Trash
Should you have additional uncontained trash that does not fit in your bin(s), you may schedule a Special Pickup. A minimum charge of $25.00 (plus tax) applies, depending on the volume and/or size of the items; oversized or overweight pickups are charged a minimum of $60.00 (plus tax). Special Pickups are scheduled for Mondays only. Requests must be made no later than 4:30 p.m. the Friday prior to the pickup on Monday.
Refrigerators/freezers will only be considered for Special Pickup if documentation certifying the compressor has been removed is provided. Some items cannot be collected at any time, including lumber, tires, batteries, construction or demolition materials, hazardous waste, flammables and paint, dirt/rock/concrete, fluorescent light ballasts, pesticides, biomedical waste, dead animals, hot ashes, and televisions.
Excess trash may also be taken to one of the city's Convenience Centers, the closest being Eagle Rock Convenience Center, 6301 Eagle Rock NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113, (505) 857-8318, open 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
See Special Pickup Request for the full list of qualifying items and to submit a request.
More Resources
Missed pickup or service question, Mon–Fri