Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Jamestown
Trash Day
Trash collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Collected weekly on your designated trash collection day following the BPU single-commodity rotation calendar.
Yard Waste
Curbside collection occurs on Tuesdays for official BPU biodegradable bags (schedule via hotline), or drop off seasonally at the Monroe Street Yard Waste Site.
Set Out Time
After 4:00 PM the night before collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Solid waste and recycling fees are bundled directly into your monthly Jamestown BPU combined utility bill along with electric, water, and sewer services.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Pay by Text, Phone, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Residents can earn a monthly solid waste discount by actively participating in the Residential Recycling Credit Program (RRCP); HEAP assistance and deposit exemptions apply for qualifying low-income households.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
BPU Garbage Container Requirements
The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities (BPU) handles all residential solid waste collection across the city [1.1.1]. A key rule for all households is the mandatory use of official BPU-assigned garbage containers. All household trash must fit completely inside these specific bins. If you leave bagged refuse outside or on top of your designated cart, you will be subject to a strict penalty of $25 per occurrence, alongside an additional $5 charge for every loose bag collected. Residents who consistently generate excessive waste can arrange for a secondary BPU-issued container by paying an extra $13 monthly fee, though this requires a minimum six-month commitment.
Weekly Bulk Item Allowances
Unlike many municipalities that require special scheduling for large items, Jamestown offers a highly convenient weekly bulk pickup. All year round, BPU solid waste customers are permitted to discard up to four items weighing 40 pounds or less directly at the curb. You can place these items next to your primary container on your standard garbage day without incurring any extra fees. Acceptable items include smaller household goods like vacuums, lamps, straight chairs, children's wading pools, and golf bags.
Orange RFID Recycling Program
Recycling in Jamestown involves a rotating weekly schedule rather than a single-stream approach. The BPU issues specialized orange RFID recycling bins to residential properties. Depending on the calendar week, crews will collect specific materials, such as plastics one week and paper products another. Taking the time to properly wash out beverage containers, detergent bottles, and milk jugs and participating in the program can actually earn you a rebate on your overall garbage bill.
Yard Waste Collection and Drop-Off
Disposing of grass clippings and branches is managed through a specialized yard waste service. Homeowners who prefer curbside convenience can purchase a bundle of four 30-gallon biodegradable bags for $15 at the BPU Customer Service desk. Once filled, you simply schedule a Tuesday morning collection. Alternatively, you can drop materials off at the local Yard Waste Site on Saturdays between 7:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., provided you have purchased a $20 annual sticker for your vehicle.
Missing a Pickup & Contacting Support
If you have questions about your specific collection day or need to report a missed stop, the BPU Garbage Hotline is available at (716) 661-1651. If you anticipate having an unusual amount of waste that won't fit into your standard cart, you can proactively request an extra collection day. This special pickup costs a nominal $10 fee and can be scheduled on the BPU customer portal under the "My Account" tab.
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 happens if I leave extra trash bags outside my BPU container?
Any garbage left outside the assigned container incurs a $25 penalty per incident, plus a $5 fee for each individual bag.
Does Jamestown charge for bulk item pickup?
No, residents can put out up to four items per week (each under 40 pounds) at no additional charge on their regular collection day.
How do I recycle in Jamestown?
The city uses orange RFID bins and operates on a rotating schedule where specific materials (like paper or plastic) are collected on alternating weeks.