Streets / Sanitation
The Department of Streets
The Streets Department is responsible for snow removal and street cleaning over 1,600 lane miles of City roadways. The Streets Department also manages bulk trash pickup in the Spring and the Fall.
The Department of Sanitation
The Sanitation Department is responsible for collecting and disposal of all municipal solid waste at over 86,000 weekly locations. The Sanitation Department is also responsible for User Fee Administration, tote distribution and Special Event waste management services.
The Recycling Department utilizes a contractor to collect recyclables on a weekly basis to reduce our reliance on landfills, prevent pollution, increase air quality and save tax dollars.
Holiday Collection Delays
Garbage and Recycling Collection are on the regular schedule all year except for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Curbside Program
Each property (property is defined as assessed address, not per household) that pays a Residential User Fee is entitled to weekly collection of garbage and recycling:
- Garbage must be in a city tote
- 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 garbage tote, and yard debris placed in clear bags. Examples of bulk trash include furniture, appliances (refrigerator, microwave, stove), box of miscellaneous items, large toys, bundles of wood and brush, mattresses, box springs, carpet in 4 foot sections, etc. (For example: One couch and one 4 foot bundle of tree branches is considered two pieces of bulk trash). NO TV'S, COMPUTERS, TIRES, CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS OR HAZARDOUS WASTE ALLOWED AT CURB! Review a complete set of rules and regulations (Section 216).
- Recycling in Green tote includes all plastic food containers (Number 1-7), plastic lawn furniture, paper, glass food containers and jars, metal cans and cookware. Additional information is available on the Buffalo Recycles website.
- Extra recycling can be put in clear plastic bags for pickup
- Cardboard must be flattened and broken down
Large Bulk Waste Collection
City’s Large Bulk Waste collection only on the days that are designated for their Council District. Large Bulk Trash is limited to 4 cubic yards (12 feet long, 3 feet high, 3 feet wide). Material must be put out on the Sunday before the scheduled start and will be picked up some time that week. Residents can also arrange for a special Bulk Trash pickup by calling 311 and requesting a Pick and Pay. Pick and Pay start at $105 for a 12 feet long, 3 feet high, 3 feet wide pile.
Click here for Bulk Trash Schedule
Click here for Bulk Trash Schedule
- Garbage - Owner Occupied properties are allowed up to 1 ton of waste at the East Side Transfer Station located at 793 South Ogden Street. Residential drop-off is Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., and 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., and on Saturday 8 a.m. until Noon. Residents must have a driver’s license and a utility bill as proof of residency.
EAST SIDE TRANSFER STATION RESIDENTIAL DROP OFF INSTRUCTIONS
- Electronic Waste - Specifically televisions and computers, are not allowed to be disposed of curbside. Residents must dispose of E-Waste at 1120 Seneca Street (Buffalo, NY 14210) between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, and the first Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Senior Citizens and disabled residents may call 311 to make special arrangements for pickup. There is limit of 5 items per year, residents only. Businesses should contact Sunnking at 716-685-4577.
- Appliances - Such as refrigerators and stoves, are allowed as part of the 2 piece bulk trash but they can also be brought to 1120 Seneca Street.
- Universal Waste - Including fluorescent bulbs, rechargeable batteries, mercury can be dropped off at 1120 Seneca Street.
- Yard Waste - Grass clipping, tree limbs, brush, and leaves must be placed in clear bags or tied into 4 foot bundles. The City collects yard waste and composts when time allows and during the 6 week period after the leaves fall. Residents can also call 311 for pickup. Residents can also drop yard waste off at Geiter Done of Western New York - 383 Babcock Street (enter off Dorothy) Monday – Friday 7:30AM – 3:30PM. Residents must show ID.
- Tires - Can only be disposed of at special collection days. There are 4 collection days at the Broadway Garage 197 Broadway. Additionally, there are tire collections at Household Hazardous Waste events. Call 311 for dates.
- Household Hazardous Waste - Paints, oil, gas, pesticides, and propane tanks must be disposed of a special drop off events held by the City two times per year. Call 311 for the dates.
Western New York Coalition for Donated Goods
The City of Buffalo actively supports waste reduction and reuse. In August, 2015, Mayor Brown launched the Western New York Coalition for Donated Goods
The Western New York Coalition for Donated Goods (WNYCDG) is a collaboration of nonprofit organizations whose goal is to promote both the community and the environment through the donation of clothing and other goods. The coalition was formed in May 2014 through the efforts of Mayor Byron W Brown in response to the request from the nonprofits organizations. The WNYCDG is made of the following organizations: Goodwill, Salvation Army, Buffalo City Mission, AMVETS and Hearts for the Homeless.
Our Mission
The WNY Coalition for Donated Goods is a consortium of nonprofit organizations. The mission of WNYCDG is to educate the community on the environmental and economic benefits of recycling and donating goods and provide easy access to donation opportunities.
Why Reuse?
Many items we throw away every day have the potential to be reused for their original purposes or for new ones. Reuse allows you to get the most out of the products you buy and saves you money as well. Additionally, reusing products conserves natural resources and saves valuable landfill space. Clothing can be reused again and again. When it becomes unwearable, donations centers can sell the material and use the proceeds on local programming.