Varies by hauler (typically a 95-gallon tote) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be managed according to your chosen private hauler's guidelines. Carts must be placed at the curb by the designated time on your collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household refuse
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Varies by hauler (typically a 65 or 95-gallon tote) Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is mandatory per town law. Items must be placed loosely in the recycling cart provided by your private hauler without using plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard
- ✓Paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Rigid plastics
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Hazardous waste
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Brush must be placed parallel to the road. Absolutely no grass clippings, railroad ties, fencing, or building debris are collected by the Highway Department.
Accepted Items
- ✓Tree branches (up to 8 feet long)
- ✓Brush
- ✓Shrub trimmings
- ✓Leaves
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Varies by private hauler contract (Often 1 item per week)
Placement
Contact your private hauler ahead of time to confirm the item is acceptable and place it curbside on your regularly scheduled trash collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Hazardous materials
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Freon-containing appliances (unless specifically arranged)
Bulk limits and potential overage fees are dictated by the terms of your private subscription agreement.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Private haulers typically delay trash and recycling collection by one day for the remainder of the week following a major holiday. Always verify with your specific service provider.
Yard Waste Exception
If a Monday holiday falls during a scheduled brush collection week, the Highway Department will begin the zone pickup on Tuesday.
Because services are private, check directly with Modern Disposal or Waste Management for their exact holiday operations.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Grass Out of the Brush Pile
The Clarence Highway Department expressly refuses to pick up grass clippings. Grass must be mulched, composted on your property, or handled privately. Do not mix it into your brush piles.
Never Bag Leaves in Plastic
When putting out autumn leaves or small brush for the Highway Department, do not put them in plastic garbage bags. The town machinery cannot process plastic, and bagged yard waste will be left at the curb.
Keep Piles Parallel to the Street
To allow the town's loader equipment to efficiently safely scoop up branches, always stack your brush parallel to the roadway rather than creating a tangled mound.
Seasonal Information
Spring
April to MaySpring Brush Pickup usually kicks off in mid-April with a general, town-wide sweep before transitioning into the strict zone-based collection schedule starting in May.
Summer
June to AugustDuring peak growing season, adhere to the strict two-truckload maximum per month for brush. Ensure your piles are out by Sunday night for your zone's Monday morning sweep.
Autumn
September to NovemberFall leaf collection continues through November based on your zone. Do not place leaves directly in the street, as this clogs storm drains and creates slippery driving conditions.
Winter
December to MarchTown brush pickup is completely suspended. Town code strictly prohibits placing any brush or yard waste on or near the road from December through April to ensure safe passage for snowplows.
About Clarence Waste Management
Navigating Clarence's Mandatory Private Hauler Law
Unlike many municipalities, the Town of Clarence does not provide municipal garbage collection, nor is trash pickup funded through your property taxes. Instead, the town enforces a Mandatory Recycling Law that requires every household to independently contract with a private waste hauler licensed by the Town Clerk. The two primary licensed providers for the area are Modern Disposal and Waste Management. When setting up a new home in Clarence, establishing this subscription should be one of your first steps.
Zoned Brush and Leaf Collection by the Highway Department
While household trash is privatized, the Town of Clarence Highway Department directly handles the collection of brush and leaves. From May through November, the town is divided into specific zones with assigned weekly pickups. To ensure you don't miss your route, brush must be placed at the curb by Sunday evening, as collection trucks begin their sweeps first thing Monday morning. If a Monday is a holiday, the zone sweep begins on Tuesday.
Strict Limits on Yard Waste Volume
Clarence maintains a beautiful suburban and semi-rural landscape, which generates a lot of yard waste. However, the Highway Department strictly enforces a maximum limit of two truckloads of brush per property per month. The town explicitly prohibits lot clearing debris. If you are hiring a contractor to take down trees or clear land, it is the contractor's responsibility to haul away the debris, not the town's.
The Goodrich Road Brush Drop-Off Option
If you missed your zone's collection week or simply don't want a large pile of brush sitting on your parkway, the Town of Clarence offers a convenient drop-off solution. Residents can bring clean, organic yard brush directly to the Highway Department facility at 6223 Goodrich Road. Just ensure the material is free of grass clippings, manufactured wood, and garbage, and deposit it in the designated 'Brush Only' area.
Drop-off Facilities
Clarence Highway Department Brush Drop-Off
6223 Goodrich Road, Clarence Center, NY 14032
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Town of Clarence pay for my garbage collection?
No. The Town of Clarence does not include trash collection in property taxes. Residents must set up a private subscription with a Town-licensed hauler, such as Modern Disposal or Waste Management.
Will the town pick up my grass clippings?
No. The Clarence Highway Department strictly prohibits grass clippings in their yard waste pickups. Residents should mulch their grass, compost it, or hire a private landscaping service for disposal.
When do I need to put my brush out for collection?
During your zone's scheduled collection week, brush must be placed at the curb by Sunday night. Highway crews begin their sweeps early Monday morning.
Can I leave yard waste in the street during the winter?
Absolutely not. Town code makes it illegal to place brush, leaves, or debris on the roadway between December and April, as it creates severe hazards for snowplowing operations.