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Refuse Control /  Refuse Control

All household garbage and recyclables shall be securely placed in the appropriate Town of Amherst authorized or issued container. As of June 1st, 2023 NO NON-TOWN ISSUED GARBAGE CONTAINERS WILL BE ALLOWED CURBSIDE FOR HOUSEHOLD TRASH!!! Private or personal recycling and yard-waste containers will still be ok, as will bulk items such as furniture, boxes of debris, etc. Additional totes can be purchased for $65 using the order form link below. Residents can drop off or mail in that form with a check or money order to the address provided. Totes are delivered by Refuse Staff to your address within 48 hours of receipt of payment and all totes come with a 10 year warranty protecting you from any damage done by our contractor or by normal wear and tear (some exclusions may apply, such as damage due to negligence or misuse, etc.).

Tote Order Form

Yardwaste Collection

Yardwaste collection begins on April 1st and runs through November 30th annually. Please see our Yardwaste Regulations page for more information.

Starting April 1 residents can put out yard compost materials on their regular collection day. The material must be properly bundled and or packaged for pickup.

Leaves, small trimmings and other yard waste should be put in containers, paper yard waste bags or bundled for collection (NO YARDWASTE IN PLASTIC BAGS) on a weekly basis and will be collected by Modern Disposal.

In addition, the Amherst Highway Department's brush pickup crews will be out picking up large brush piles by appointment; please call 631-7117 to schedule your address for service. Please have brush, logs and stumps out for pickup before you call. Any material placed out MUST be free of any dirt or soil.

The Town Highway will only collect large unmanageable piles of logs, brush (cut to less than 8 feet in length), and tree stumps. No mixed piles containing lumber, concrete, railroad ties or non-organic materials will be collected.


New Organics Recycling Initiative

Town of Amherst Highway Superintendent Patrick Lucey and the Amherst Office of Refuse Control our excited to announce the Town of Amherst Organics Recycling Initiative. Beginning on November 4th, 2019, The Highway Department located at 1042 North Forest Road will have 3 organic recycling totes on site where residents may bring their compostable food scraps, 7 days per week, from 7am to 3:30pm. Residents can call or email (refuse@amherst.ny.us) the Office of Refuse Control with any questions or concerns at 716-631-7119.

Food Scrap Recycling Program Resumed (6/1/2020)

Information & Acceptable Materials


Recycling Guidelines

Modern Disposal Recycling Guidelines

Collection Information

Holiday Pickup Schedule

Normal weekly refuse and recyclable collection will occur with the holiday exceptions below. If your collection falls on or follows any of these days, your pick up will be delayed one day with Friday's pick up done on Saturday.

  • Mon., May 29, 2023 (Memorial Day)
  • Tue., July 4, 2023 (Independence Day)
  • Mon., Sept 4, 2023 (Labor Day)
  • Thu., Nov 23, 2023 (Thanksgiving Day)
  • Mon., Dec 25, 2023 (Christmas Day)

Totes Program

Due to the majority of Town issued garbage totes no longer covered being covered under the manufacturer’s warranty, the Town of Amherst’s current tote replacement policy is if your tote(s) are damaged, lost, missing, or stolen, you will need to purchase a replacement tote(s) for $65 each. Totes can be purchased at the Amherst Highway Department, 1042 N. Forest Rd. Williamsville, NY 14221. Totes are delivered by Refuse Staff to your address within 48 hours of receipt of payment and all totes come with a 10 year warranty protecting you from any damage done by our contractor or by normal wear and tear (some exclusions may apply, such as damage due to negligence or misuse, etc.).

Local Law 5-2007 Use of Totes for Solid Waste Disposal

About Amherst

The Town of Amherst was established in 1818 and celebrated its 200th Anniversary in 2018. The town has a geographical area of 53.6 square miles and a population of greater than 122,000.

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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Town of Amherst ADA Coordinators are Robert McCarthy (Director of Human Resources) and Mark Berke (Commissioner of Buildings).

Click for more information about ADA.

Website Contact

The Town of Amherst takes great pride in providing useful, timely and accurate information through its official website. We encourage public participation in our website and ask that you provide your feedback to help us make our site even better. Contact the website administrator at toawebsite@amherst.ny.us.

Get in Touch

  • General Information:
    (716) 631-7000
  • Email:
    toainfo@amherst.ny.us
  • Address:
    Municipal Building (Town Hall)
  • 5583 Main Street
  • Williamsville, NY 14221