Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Jamestown
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.
Assigned BPU Wheeled Container Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be bagged, weigh under 40 lbs per bag, and fit entirely inside the assigned container with the lid fully closed. No loose bags on the ground.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable paper and packaging
Customer-provided bin (clearly labeled) Bin (Recycling)
Must follow the BPU's strict single commodity calendar. Only place out the specific type of material designated for that particular week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (specific weeks)
- ✓Plastics (specific weeks)
- ✓Paper and cardboard (specific weeks)
- ✓Metals and aluminum (specific weeks)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Mixed recyclables (off-schedule)
- ✕Hypodermic needles
- ✕Items with bed bug activity
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in official BPU 30-gallon biodegradable bags for scheduled Tuesday pickup, or dropped off at the Monroe Street site using a resident window sticker.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small brush
- ✓Plants and shrubs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly for small items; large items require scheduling.
Placement
Large scheduled items should be placed curbside no earlier than 4:00 PM the night before your regular pickup day.
Accepted
- ✓ Small furniture (chairs, end tables)
- ✓ Toys
- ✓ Couches and dressers (with scheduled pickup)
- ✓ Mattresses (with scheduled pickup)
- ✓ Non-Freon appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Refrigerators
- ✕ Air conditioners
- ✕ Dehumidifiers (anything with cooling agents)
- ✕ Metal items
- ✕ Construction debris
The BPU charges discounted fees for large bulk items. Items must not contain Freon. Unscheduled large items or excess small items will be tagged and left at the curb.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed holiday falls on a weekday, regular garbage and recycling collections are delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Friday routes are collected on Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
The Monroe Street Yard Waste Site is typically closed on Saturdays of holiday weekends to allow staff to complete the delayed residential trash routes.
Always refer to your annual BPU calendar or sign up for Notify Me alerts on the BPU website to confirm exact holiday schedule adjustments.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Follow the Single Commodity Schedule
Jamestown's recycling program requires you to separate materials by week. Never mix plastics with paper in your bin; always check your BPU calendar and only set out the exact material scheduled for that specific week.
Keep Lids Closed and Limit Bag Weight
Ensure every bag of garbage weighs less than 40 pounds and that your BPU-assigned container's lid can shut completely flat. Bins with overflowing trash or extra loose bags on the ground will receive a violation tag and will not be collected.
Proper Medical Waste and Pest Protocols
The BPU will outright refuse to collect any trash or recycling containers that contain loose hypodermic needles or show evidence of cockroach and bed bug activity. Medical sharps must be disposed of through proper local health department channels.
Seasonal Information
Spring & Summer
April to NovemberThe Monroe Street Yard Waste Site opens for the season exclusively to BPU residential solid waste customers. You must display your free blue BPU window sticker on your vehicle to gain entry and drop off grass clippings, leaves, and brush up to 8 inches in diameter.
Winter
DecemberBe sure to carefully check your mail in December, as your Jamestown BPU utility bill envelope will include the vital annual recycling calendar for the upcoming year. Keeping this calendar handy is essential for following the city's single commodity schedule.
Summer Holidays
June to SeptemberDuring major summer holiday weeks like Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, trash and recycling pickups are delayed by one day following the holiday. The yard waste drop-off site also closes on holiday Saturdays to redirect staff to finish residential trash routes.
About Jamestown Waste Management
Overview of Jamestown BPU Solid Waste Services
Jamestown, New York, provides reliable residential solid waste collection directly through its municipal Board of Public Utilities (BPU). Every residential unit is assigned a specific, numbered wheeled garbage container to help keep neighborhoods clean across Chautauqua County. To ensure successful weekly pickups, all trash must be securely bagged, weigh less than 40 pounds per bag, and fit completely inside your assigned container with the lid firmly closed. Sanitation crews will tag and leave behind any loose bags placed on top of or next to the bin.
Understanding the Single Commodity Recycling System
Unlike many cities that use a mixed single-stream recycling approach, Jamestown utilizes a unique single commodity recycling system. This means that residents are required to place only one specific type of recyclable material at the curb each week. By consulting the annual BPU recycling calendar mailed to residents every December, you will know exactly which week is designated for glass, plastics, metals, or paper. This focused method significantly reduces cross-contamination and improves the quality of recovered materials.
Convenient Solutions for Yard Waste Disposal
Managing grass clippings and autumn leaves is easy with the BPU's tailored yard waste programs. Residents can purchase heavy-duty 30-gallon biodegradable yard waste bags in packs of four from the BPU Customer Service Office. The purchase price covers the cost of collection, which you can schedule for any Tuesday year-round by calling the Garbage Hotline. Alternatively, BPU solid waste customers can obtain a free residential window sticker to drop off brush and yard debris directly at the Monroe Street Yard Waste Site.
Rules for Disposing of Bulk and Special Household Items
Have an old couch or broken chair to throw away? The Jamestown BPU allows you to place up to four small, manageable household items (weighing under 40 lbs each) out with your regular trash at no extra cost. However, for larger furniture, mattresses, and electronics, you must contact the BPU Garbage Hotline one to two business days in advance to schedule a special pickup for a discounted fee. Please note that appliances containing Freon, such as refrigerators and air conditioners, are strictly prohibited from curbside collection.
Strict Container Policies and Contamination Violations
The BPU enforces strict container policies to protect the safety of sanitation workers and maintain sanitary streets. If your garbage is piled so high that the lid cannot close, or if the waste shows evidence of bed bugs, cockroaches, or contains hypodermic needles, the container will receive a violation tag and will not be emptied. Furthermore, your assigned container is permanently tied to your property address; if you move and take the bin with you, a $25 replacement fee will be charged to your account.
Drop-off Facilities
BPU Yard Waste Site
1001 Monroe Street, Jamestown, NY 14701
Materials Accepted
South County Transfer Station
2570 South Work Street, Falconer, NY 14733
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What is single commodity recycling and how does it work in Jamestown?
Jamestown utilizes a single commodity recycling program, meaning residents only recycle one specific type of material (such as glass, plastic, metal, or paper) each week rather than mixing them together. You must follow the annual BPU recycling calendar to know which exact item is scheduled for collection on your regular trash day.
Can I take my assigned garbage container with me if I move to a new house?
No. The specially designed wheeled garbage containers are the property of the Jamestown BPU and are strictly assigned to a specific location based on their serial number. If you move, the bin must remain at the property. A $25 replacement fee is charged to anyone who takes a container with them.
How do I dispose of a couch or mattress in Jamestown, NY?
For large household items like couches, dressers, or mattresses, you must call the BPU Garbage Hotline at (716) 661-1651 at least one to two business days before your regular collection day. They will schedule a special bulk pickup for a discounted fee. Alternatively, you can put out up to four small household items under 40 lbs for free without calling.
Does the city pick up yard waste from the curb?
Yes, but it requires purchasing official BPU yard waste bags. The BPU sells packs of four 30-gallon biodegradable bags for $15, which covers the cost of collection. Once filled, you can call the Garbage Hotline to schedule a curbside pickup on any Tuesday year-round.