Town-Issued Tote Bin (Trash)
All household garbage must be in the town-issued tote. Set out within 5 feet of the right-of-way by 7:00 a.m. on collection day, but no earlier than 12:00 noon the day prior.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household refuse
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Broken ceramics
Town-issued or compliant personal bin Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be securely placed in a bin so they do not blow through the neighborhood. Private or personal recycling containers are permitted.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard (flattened and free of styrofoam)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Paper and magazines
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic film and grocery bags
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Window glass and mirrors
- ✕Light bulbs
- ✕Clay pots
Yard Waste Bin
From April 1 to Nov 30, use paper yard bags or standard cans (lids removed) up to 40 gallons/60 lbs. Branches must be tied in 4-foot bundles. Absolutely no dirt, sod, or plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Shrub trimmings
- ✓Branches under 6 inches in diameter
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (Up to 8 non-metal items per household)
Placement
Set items within 5 feet of the curb no earlier than 12 noon the day before your regular collection. Doors must be removed from all large appliances.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and wooden furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Small DIY remodeling debris (bundled, 4' max)
- ✓ Refrigerators and ovens (appointment only)
- ✓ Rolled carpets (max 60 lbs per roll)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Major construction and demolition waste
- ✕ Electronics and televisions
- ✕ Propane tanks
- ✕ Concrete, brick, and stone
- ✕ Dirt, sod, and tree stumps
No extra fee for up to 8 non-metal items. Setting out 9 or more items, or evading cleanup limits, results in a $250 citation.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled collection day falls on or after a recognized holiday during the workweek, all pickups for the remainder of that week are delayed by exactly one day, with Friday collections pushed to Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling collections automatically follow the same one-day holiday delay as the standard refuse schedule.
Holidays like Columbus Day, Veterans Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day do not disrupt the Modern Disposal collection schedule in Amherst.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Electronics Off the Curb
The Town of Amherst has completely banned e-waste from curbside pickup. Televisions, computers, and monitors left by the street will not be collected. You must transport them to the Highway Department drop-off at 1042 North Forest Road.
Propane Tanks Are Prohibited
Due to strict New York State regulations and disposal costs, the town no longer accepts 10lb or 20lb propane tanks in the trash or at the Highway garage. Residents must coordinate drop-offs with private hazardous waste handlers like Hazman.
Do Not Bag Yard Waste in Plastic
Sanitation crews will immediately bypass any yard waste placed in plastic bags. All grass, twigs, and leaves must be packed strictly in 2-ply biodegradable paper lawn bags or loose in a regular garbage can with the lid taken off.
Seasonal Information
Spring-Fall
April - NovemberDedicated yard waste collection runs weekly starting April 1st. During this eight-month window, all organic landscaping debris is composted and must be kept entirely separate from household garbage and lumber.
Fall
October - DecemberA special leaf-vac service begins after Columbus Day and runs until roughly December 1st. Residents can rake loose leaves to within 3 feet of the roadside—do not rake them onto the pavement or into drainage ditches.
Winter
December - MarchFrom December 1st through March 31st, separate yard waste composting operations are suspended. Any winter organic debris generated must be placed directly into the regular household garbage tote.
About Amherst Waste Management
Strict Compliance with Town-Issued Refuse Totes
The Town of Amherst heavily regulates how standard household trash is left on the curb. Residents are strictly required to use their official, town-issued garbage totes. No personal, store-bought, or non-town-issued containers are permitted for regular household refuse, and they will be ignored by sanitation crews. If a tote is stolen, lost, or damaged beyond its 10-year warranty, homeowners must purchase a $65 replacement directly through the Amherst Highway Department on North Forest Road.
Navigating Generous Curbside Bulk Allowances
Unlike many municipalities that restrict large item disposal to a few times a year, Amherst offers an incredibly generous weekly bulk policy. Residents can place up to eight non-metal bulky items—such as couches, mattresses, or small boxes of junk—alongside their regular garbage tote on their scheduled collection day. However, caution is advised: exceeding this eight-item limit, particularly during a sudden move-out or whole-house clean-out, will trigger a mandatory $250 town cleanup citation.
Mandatory Appointments for White Goods and Scrap Metal
While wooden furniture and mattresses can go out weekly without a phone call, metal items are treated differently. Ovens, washing machines, dishwashers, and metal basketball poles require a specialized pickup. Residents must call the Office of Refuse Control to secure an appointment for the Highway Department's metal collection route, which typically occurs during the second and last full weeks of the month. Importantly, all doors must be completely removed from discarded refrigerators and freezers to prevent entrapment hazards and avoid a $250 town fine.
Tackling Carpets, Pool Liners, and DIY Debris
Home improvement enthusiasts in Amherst must carefully prep their waste. Rolled materials like old carpeting, carpet padding, and vinyl pool covers will be collected, provided they are cut into precise four-foot widths, securely tied, and weigh no more than 60 pounds per roll. You can set out a maximum of eight rolls per week. Note that major commercial construction debris, roofing materials, and large drywall projects are entirely banned from curbside pickup and require you to hire a private dumpster service.
Drop-off Facilities
Amherst Highway Department Drop-Off
1042 N. Forest Road, Williamsville, NY 14221
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a garbage can I bought at the hardware store for my trash in Amherst?
No. The Town of Amherst strictly mandates that all household garbage be placed in town-issued totes. Personal or store-bought containers will not be emptied if they contain household refuse, though they can still be used for yard waste or recycling.
How do I throw away an old refrigerator or washing machine?
Large appliances and white goods require a special pickup from the Highway Department. You must call (716) 631-7119 to schedule an appointment. By law, you must completely remove the doors from refrigerators and freezers before leaving them on the curb.
Is there a limit to how much furniture I can put out for bulk garbage?
Yes. Amherst allows residents to place a maximum of eight (8) bulk items, such as couches, chairs, or mattresses, out per week alongside their regular trash. Exceeding this limit will result in a $250 move-out/clean-out fee from the town.
What should I do with yard waste during the winter months?
Between December 1st and March 31st, the town's dedicated composting program is suspended. Any brush or yard debris generated during these winter months must be disposed of directly with your regular household garbage.