BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The City of Buffalo is reducing bulk trash pickup to once per year, starting with the elimination of the fall pickup.
Bulk trash pickup days are usually scheduled twice per year by council district - once in the spring and once in the fall. But that's changed.
I asked the city to clear up confusion online stemming from the arrival of the latest user fee bill in July, which included new information about bulk trash. The city says residents can now put out up to three bulk items with their tote every week, year-round, but many wanted to know if the bulk trash pickups were still happening.
A city spokesperson said in an email: "The City of Buffalo will not have bulk trash pick-up this fall season. Going forward, the city plans to have one bulk trash pick-up per year."
The city's website states those with more than three pieces of bulk trash per week can head to the East Side Transfer Station at 793 S. Ogden St., where homeowners can dump up to one ton of trash each year.
Those waiting in line at the dump Friday had thoughts about the changes.
"I think it's pretty stupid because they've been complaining about people dumping in the city," Phillip Gervais said.
WATCH: Buffalo reduces bulk trash pickup to once a year, eliminating fall collection
COST SAVING MEASURE?
Since taking office in January, the Ryan administration has been tasked with digging the city out of an estimated $103 million structural deficit. The reduction in bulk trash pickup days will likely save the city some cash.
But Ryan raised property taxes by 19% this fiscal year, and the user fee is set to increase starting July 2027, according to the city's financial plan. So are city residents getting fewer services but paying more?
I put this question to the city on Friday, but they said they were unable to give more information.
