Home > City Departments > Public Works, Parks & Streets > Street Sanitation > Local Laws For Refuse And Recycling Collection
The following is a list of the local laws regarding curbside refuse and recycling collection services provided by the City of Buffalo. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in fines against the property owner. If you wish to report properties that are in violation of the following ordinances, please contact Citizen Services at 851-4890.
Fine Class C – $52.50
- GARBAGE AND TRASH OUT TOO EARLY – Chapter 216-14: Garbage, 2-piece trash, yard debris and recyclables must be placed out for collection no earlier than 7:00 p.m. the evening before, or no later than 7:00 a.m. on the morning of your regularly scheduled collection day.
- TOTES AND RECYCLING CONTAINERS NOT REMOVED FROM CURB AFTER COLLECTION – Chapter 216-14: all containers must be removed from the curbline within twelve (12) hours after collection.
- IMPROPER STORAGE LOCATION OF CITY PROVIDED RECEPTACLE OR TOTE – CHAPTER 216-14: All garbage receptacles shall be kept in rear yards and may not be stored in the front of properties, unless authorization is received from the Commissioner of Public Works and Streets. (Please make request for waiver in writing to Commissioner of Public Works, 65 Niagara Square, Room 502, Buffalo, New York 14202)
- OVERFLOWING TOTES – Chapter 216-15: totes should not be overflowing. The lid must be tightly closed. There should be no garbage placed on top of, next to, or around the tote when set out for collection. The only exception will be yard debris that you are permitted to place out for collection next to your tote in clear bags, and two (2) pieces of large bulk trash items that can be set out each week next to your tote.
- TIRES, CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND FILL OUT FOR COLLECTION- Chapter 216-15: The City does not collect these materials as part of the curbside collection services that it provides. Tires, construction debris or fill may not be placed within or next to the tote. There are regularly scheduled tire drop-off dates that the City provides. In addition, construction material may be brought to a variety of transfer stations in and around the City of Buffalo, including the East Side Transfer Station for a fee.
- MORE THAN TWO (2) PIECES OF BULK TRASH – Chapter 216-15: Properties within the City of Buffalo are allowed to place out two (2) pieces of bulk trash for collection on their regular collection day. Bulk trash consists of those items that cannot be placed in the refuse container, and yard debris placed in clear bags. Examples of bulk trash include furniture, appliances, box of miscellaneous items, large toys, bundles of wood and brush (properly bundled), mattresses, box springs, etc. (For example: One couch and one 4 feet bundle of tree branches is considered two pieces of bulk trash). Please note that the doors must be removed from refrigerators to avoid injury to neighborhood children.
- TRASH NOT PROPERLY CONTAINED – Chapter 216-15: Small trash items placed in boxes/crates for collection must not weigh more than 50 pounds and must not contain household garbage. Wood, branches, brush, carpeting and other unwieldy items must be broken up and bundled into compact bundles no longer than four feet in length and no heavier than 50 pounds and shall be free and clear of nails. Each bundle or box placed out for collection shall be considered one piece of bulk trash. Lawn and yard debris shall be contained in clear plastic…
Source: www.ci.buffalo.ny.us
Image by Katarzyna Tyl from Pixabay