Resident-provided Bin (Trash)
Place containers at the curb the night before pickup. Up to 10 bags or containers allowed per week. No single container, bag, or bushel may exceed 60 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small bundled yard waste (under 4 feet)
Casella-issued or clearly marked bin Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected weekly on your regular service day. Keep all items loose in the bin, free of plastic grocery bags, and place at the curb the night before collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Clean rigid plastics
Yard Waste Bin
Small yard waste can be bagged/bundled (max 4 feet long, 60 lbs) for weekly Casella pickup. Larger branches are serviced by the Highway Department from Sept 1 - Oct 15 only.
Accepted Items
- ✓Branches (under 6 inches diameter)
- ✓Small twigs (bundled)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly
Placement
Place your single bulk item directly at the curb the night before your scheduled collection day. It will count toward your total 10-item limit for the week.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Furniture (couches, chairs)
- ✓ Carpeting (must be rolled and tied)
- ✓ Standard household appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions and electronics
- ✕ Hazardous liquids
- ✕ Stumps and large logs
- ✕ Contractor or major demolition debris
The weekly single bulk item is included in your standard municipal service at no extra cost. For excessively large cleanouts or excess cardboard, residents must contact Casella at 800-227-3552 to arrange a special pickup, which may incur fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your service day falls on or after a recognized weekday holiday, collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. If the holiday falls on a weekend, there is no delay.
Yard Waste Exception
The Highway Department's seasonal branch pickup is conducted on a continuous island-wide route rather than a strict daily schedule, and is dictated primarily by weather conditions and volume.
Casella strictly recognizes only the six major holidays listed above. For all other holidays, place your bins out on your normal schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Stumps and Leaves Halt Branch Pickup
When utilizing the Highway Department's fall branch pickup, do not mix roots, stumps, lawn sweepings, or loose leaves into your brush pile. The crew will strictly reject piles containing these materials.
Bundle Loose Debris Properly
Any household waste or small yard debris not placed in a standard trash can or bag must be securely tied into bundles. Bundles cannot exceed four feet in length or 60 pounds in weight, or Casella will leave them at the curb.
No Hidden Electronics
Never attempt to hide small electronics, cords, or batteries in your weekly trash or recycling bin. Take all e-waste directly to a certified recycler like Buffalo Computer Recycling to prevent chemical fires in the collection trucks.
Seasonal Information
Autumn
September - OctoberThe Town Highway Department runs its dedicated branch collection route from September 1st to October 15th. Immediately after this window closes, trucks are reconfigured with plows and salters for the intense Western New York winter season, so any late branches must be privately hauled.
About Grand Island Waste Management
Mastering Grand Island's Weekly 10-Item Limit
Grand Island residents benefit from a generous weekly collection allowance managed by Casella Waste Systems. Each household is permitted to place up to 10 bags, standard garbage containers, or secured bundles at the curb per week. To ensure safe handling by sanitation crews, it is strictly enforced that no single container, bag, or bushel exceeds 60 pounds in weight.
Unmatched Convenience with Weekly Bulk Pickups
Unlike many neighboring New York municipalities that restrict bulk waste to annual sweep days or require paid appointments, Grand Island integrates heavy item disposal into everyday service. Residents are allowed to place one large bulk item—such as a couch, mattress, box spring, or household appliance—at the curb every week. This one item simply counts toward your total 10-item weekly limit.
Highway Department Fall Branch Service
While small yard debris can be bagged for Casella's weekly pickup, larger tree trimmings require a different approach. The Town of Grand Island Highway Department operates a specialized, limited branch pickup exclusively from September 1st through October 15th. Homeowners must stack branches neatly with all cut ends facing the road, ensuring no single limb exceeds six inches in diameter.
Navigating TV and E-Waste Disposal Fees
You cannot leave televisions, computers, or other electronic waste at the curb in Grand Island. The town directs residents to Buffalo Computer Recycling (BCR) on Clinton Street. While most basic electronics are processed for free, you must pay specific fees for certain screens: $50 to recycle older CRT box TVs and Plasma TVs, and $20 to drop off flat-screen LCD models.
Drop-off Facilities
Buffalo Computer Recycling (BCR)
1430 Clinton Street, Suite 92, Buffalo, NY 14206
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a limit to how much regular garbage I can throw away each week in Grand Island?
Yes, Grand Island enforces a strict weekly limit of up to 10 bags, containers, or tied bundles per household. Additionally, each individual container or bag must not weigh more than 60 pounds.
Do I need to pay extra or call ahead to throw away an old mattress?
No, you do not need to call ahead for a standard bulk item like a mattress. You can place one bulk item at the curb per week as part of your 10-item limit at no additional charge.
Will the town pick up the branches I trimmed from my trees?
Yes, the Town Highway Department conducts a limited branch pickup from September 1st to October 15th. Branches must be 6 inches or less in diameter and neatly stacked with cut ends facing the road. Outside of this window, small branches must be cut to 4-foot lengths, tied into bundles under 60 pounds, and set out with your normal trash.
How do I safely dispose of a broken television?
Televisions cannot be placed at the curb. You must transport them to an e-waste facility like Buffalo Computer Recycling in nearby Buffalo. Note that there is a $50 recycling charge for CRT and Plasma TVs, and a $20 charge for LCD flat screens.