95-gallon Modern Disposal Trash Cart Bin (Trash)
All trash MUST be bagged before being placed in the cart. The lid must close completely. Place at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Normal household garbage
- ✓Food packaging and waste
- ✓Bagged grass clippings
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and styrofoam
95-gallon Modern Disposal Recycling Cart Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables (except shredded paper). Items must be placed loose in the cart. Collection is bi-weekly according to the Week A/B schedule.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic jugs and bottles with small openings
- ✓Metal and tin cans
- ✓Flattened cardboard and pizza boxes (no grease)
- ✓Newspaper and junk mail
- ✓Shredded paper (only if inside a clear plastic bag)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags or film
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Ceramics or window glass
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
Yard Waste Bin
Collected by Highway Dept. Leaves must be in Kraft paper bags. Branches max 3'x3'x8', all stems facing the roadway. Grass clippings are banned from brush piles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush and tree branches
- ✓Christmas trees (in January)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Every other month (Second full week)
Placement
Place your 4 designated items alongside your regular trash cart at the street's edge by 6:00 a.m. Keep bulk items clear of the automated cart paths.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture (couches, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and bedding
- ✓ Hot water tanks
- ✓ Rolled carpet
- ✓ White goods (stoves, dishwashers, microwaves)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Air conditioners (Freon items)
- ✕ Refrigerators containing Freon
- ✕ Electronics and televisions
- ✕ Items exceeding 60 lbs that cannot be lifted by two workers
- ✕ Contractor debris
The 4-item bi-monthly collection is included in municipal services. For massive home cleanouts, residents must privately rent a dumpster or hire an independent junk removal firm.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Modern Disposal is closed on Sundays and major holidays. If an observed holiday falls on or before your normal collection day, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Highway Department brush collections may experience delays or suspensions during holiday weeks as crews are repurposed for public works maintenance.
Refer to the Modern Disposal 2026 Collection Service Calendar mailed to residents to verify specific holiday shift dates.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
The Shredded Paper Exception
Hamburg strictly enforces a 'no plastic bags' rule for the recycling cart, with one highly specific exception. Shredded paper is the only recyclable material permitted to be contained within a clear plastic bag to prevent it from blowing across the neighborhood.
Bag Your Grass for the Trash
Do not place grass clippings in paper yard bags at the curb for the Highway Department. The chipper crews will ignore them. If you do not mulch your grass, you are required to bag the clippings securely and place them directly into your Modern trash cart.
Avoid 'Oops' Tags by Closing the Lid
Over-packing your cart so that the lid remains propped open is a direct violation of town guidelines. Exposed trash invites rodents and allows wind to scatter debris. If your cart lid cannot close, it will be tagged and left at the curb.
Seasonal Information
Spring/Summer
March - AugustHighway Department brush collection runs on a rotating four-week zone schedule. Do not mix any metal, wire, or garbage into your brush piles, as these materials will destroy the town's chipper blades and lead to service denial.
Autumn
September - NovemberDuring fall leaf pickup, residents must only use recyclable Kraft paper lawn and leaf bags available at local supermarkets or hardware stores. Plastic bags filled with leaves will absolutely not be collected.
Winter
December - FebruaryStandard brush collection is paused for winter snow operations. However, town crews conduct a special Christmas tree pickup throughout the month of January. Ensure all lights and ornaments are completely removed.
About Hamburg Waste Management
The 2026 Transition to Automated Carts
In a major overhaul to its municipal sanitation program, the Town of Hamburg transitioned to a fully automated cart-based collection system managed by Modern Disposal Services on March 23, 2026. Residents are now required to use the town-provided 95-gallon, branded carts. Personal garbage cans purchased at local hardware stores are strictly prohibited and will be left at the curb unemptied. To ensure the automated mechanical arms can safely grab the containers, carts must be placed on a level surface with the wheels facing the house and maintaining a strict three-foot clearance from mailboxes and parked cars.
Week A & Week B Bi-Weekly Recycling
Under the modernized contract, standard household refuse is collected weekly, but recycling has shifted to a bi-weekly 'Week A / Week B' schedule. The town utilizes a strict 'Oops' tag system to enforce recycling compliance. Unlike regular trash which must be bagged, all recyclables like glass, aluminum, and flattened cardboard must be placed completely loose inside the blue recycling cart. Mixing garbage with recycling or overpacking the bin so the lid pops open will result in a rejected pickup.
Bi-Monthly Bulk Item Collection Limits
Hamburg's approach to large garbage has changed significantly. Instead of weekly or appointment-based bulk pickups, the Town now operates on a strict bi-monthly calendar. Bulk items are only collected every other month, specifically during the second full week of that month, aligning with your regular weekly trash day. Residents are allowed to place up to four large items—such as mattresses, furniture, or rolled carpet—at the curb without an appointment during these designated weeks.
Highway Department's Four-Zone Brush Program
While Modern Disposal manages your household carts, the Town of Hamburg Highway Department independently manages the collection of brush and yard debris from March through November. The town is divided into four geographic zones, with crews spending one full week in each zone. A highly unique rule for Hamburg is how different yard wastes are treated: while branches and leaves (in paper bags only) are handled by the Highway Department, grass clippings are explicitly rejected by town chippers and must instead be bagged and tossed directly into your Modern trash cart.
Strict Bans on E-Waste and Refrigerants
In compliance with New York State regulations, the Town of Hamburg absolutely prohibits electronic waste (e-waste), air conditioners, and household hazardous chemicals from curbside disposal. Modern Disposal will leave televisions and computers at the curb. Instead, residents must take advantage of Erie County's scheduled household hazardous waste events or utilize specialized regional drop-off centers like HazManUSA in Tonawanda or SunnKing for secure electronics recycling.
Drop-off Facilities
HazMan Household Hazardous Waste Facility
177 Wales Ave, Tonawanda, NY 14150
Materials Accepted
SunnKing Electronics Drop-Off Events
Various Erie County Locations
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my old garbage can from the hardware store?
No. As of March 23, 2026, the Town of Hamburg transitioned to an automated system. Modern Disposal will only collect waste that is placed inside the official 95-gallon Modern-branded carts. All other containers will be ignored.
How often is bulk trash picked up in Hamburg, NY?
Under the new 2026 guidelines, bulk trash is no longer a weekly service. It is collected every other month during the second full week of the month. You may place up to four large items at the curb on your regular trash day during those designated weeks.
What is the proper way to dispose of grass clippings?
The Hamburg Highway Department will not pick up grass clippings with normal yard brush. The town encourages you to mulch the grass back into your lawn. If you must dispose of it, the clippings must be securely bagged and placed inside your Modern trash cart.
Will the town pick up my old television?
No. Televisions and electronic waste are banned from curbside disposal by New York State law. They cannot be placed in your trash cart or out during bulk collection weeks. You must take them to an Erie County e-waste event or a facility like SunnKing.