Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Amherst
New York municipal refuse is collected weekly on designated neighborhood days. Recycling is often collected on specific days depending on the borough or county.
State Mandate
Strictly separate e-waste. Electronics are banned from regular trash.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and recycling services are funded through a Garbage District fee assessed directly on your annual Town & County property tax bill rather than a standalone utility invoice.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In Person, Drop Box
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Amherst Refuse Collection Basics
For residents of the Town of Amherst, curbside waste management is coordinated through the local Refuse Control office in partnership with contracted haulers. The town utilizes an automated tote system designed to keep Western New York streets clean and deter wildlife. Each household is assigned specific refuse and recycling totes. General household garbage is picked up on a weekly basis, whereas single-stream recycling is collected every other week. All trash must fit inside the designated refuse tote with the lid firmly shut; excess bags left on the ground next to the tote will generally not be collected.
Tote Placement and Timing Restrictions
To guarantee smooth automated collection, your totes must be positioned correctly at the end of your driveway. Place the containers with the metal lift bar facing the street and the wheels pointing toward your home. Leave at least three feet of clearance around each tote, ensuring they are free from obstructions like parked cars, fire hydrants, and snowbanks. Bins should be rolled out to the curb no later than 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection day, but not before 6:00 p.m. the evening prior.
Disposing of Bulk and Oversized Items
Amherst provides a convenient solution for disposing of bulky household goods. Residents are permitted to place one large item—such as a piece of furniture, a mattress, or a rolled-up carpet (cut into four-foot sections)—at the curb each week alongside their regular trash tote. Freon-bearing appliances like refrigerators require a special pickup arrangement, and the doors must be removed for safety. Construction debris, contractors' waste, and hazardous materials are strictly prohibited from weekly curbside bulk collection.
Yard Waste and Brush Regulations
Seasonal yard maintenance is a major part of living in Amherst. Yard waste is collected weekly during the growing season. Homeowners must place grass clippings, leaves, and soft plant debris in biodegradable paper yard bags or open, reusable containers clearly marked for yard waste. Plastic bags are never accepted for green waste. Tree branches and thicker brush must be securely tied into manageable bundles no longer than four feet in length and weighing no more than 40 pounds.
Electronic Recycling Drop-Off
New York State law prohibits electronic waste from being disposed of in regular landfills. Consequently, Amherst residents cannot place old televisions, computers, or monitors in their curbside totes. Instead, the town operates an Electronic Waste Drop-Off program located at the Highway Department facility. This resource allows locals to responsibly recycle outdated technology year-round, keeping harmful heavy metals out of the local environment.
Drop-off Facilities
Amherst Highway Department Drop-Off
1042 N. Forest Road, Williamsville, NY 14221
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weekly limit for bulk trash in Amherst, NY?
Residents are allowed to place one acceptable bulk item, such as a mattress or piece of furniture, at the curb per week alongside their regular refuse tote.
How should I package yard waste for town collection?
Yard waste must be placed in biodegradable paper bags or open, clearly marked reusable containers. Plastic bags are strictly forbidden, and brush must be bundled.
Where can I get rid of an old television in Amherst?
Televisions and other electronic waste must be taken to the Amherst Highway Department's e-waste drop-off location, as they are not accepted in curbside trash.