Garbage & Recycling

WASTE MANAGEMENT F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my holiday trees still be picked up?
Yes, if it is cut into pieces that can fit in the new tote with the lid shut, it will be picked up. If it cannot fit, please call for a bulk pick up. If you do call for bulk pick up, the tree will need to be in 4 ft. sections.

Can I put sticks and brush into the tote?
Have you missed the twice a year Highway Dept. brush pick up? You can bundle your brush into pieces that fit into your tote, and it can be hauled away by Waste Management.

What if I live in a duplex? Will each side receive a tote?
If you are in a multi-family household each residence attached to a tax bill from the Town will receive a tote.

I live in an apartment; will I have access to a tote?
At this time, apartment complexes are not part of the Town’s Waste Management program.

We have a large family and thus generate a lot of waste. Can I get a second trash tote?
Yes, additional totes are available. Please call the Town Hall for more information about pricing. The charge will be applied to your annual tax bill and is subject to annual contractual increases. We ask that if you do get a second tote, you keep it for a one year minimum.

We are having a family party/family reunion/large gathering that will generate a lot of trash. What do we do if we can’t fit it in one tote?
If you have normal household garbage that is not recyclable and does not fit into your cart, you can place the excess garbage in 30-gallon bags and affix an extra capacity sticker on each bag. Stickers can be purchased in the Town Clerk’s Office for $3.00 each. After affixing the sticker to the extra bag(s) you can place them next to your trash cart for collection.

What do I do with my old garbage and recycling bins?
Since you no longer need your old recycling bins and trash cans they can be kept, recycled, or disposed of. Your old WM small green recycling bin can fit inside your new recycling bin! (Pro Tip: The WM small green recycling bins make a great recycled planter for flowers or veggies!)

My tote broke! What do I do?
Call Waste Management at 1-800-972-4545.

Will the At Your Door Special Collection Service continue?
Yes! Information about the Waste Management At Your Door collection – Hazardous waste and electronic waste – can be found at www.wmatyourdoor.com or by calling 1-800-499-7587. You can also schedule a pickup by calling or visiting their website.

Quick Links

Fast Facts

Why the change?
The Town’s current contract with Waste Management expired on June 30th, 2022. During previous contract negotiations, the Town had explored the idea of totes and decided against them. The Town signed an extension to the current contract on June 15th, 2022. This contract extension included garbage and recycling totes for all residential customers in the Town of Boston. If the Town would not have moved to totes, the price increase would have been substantially more at a double-digit percentage increase vs. a single-digit percentage increase.

About the Totes
Each residential address will receive two totes – one for solid waste and one for recycling. Both totes are 96 gallons. These are much sturdier than garbage cans bought at stores. Each tote has an RFID chip built in that is tied to the address it belongs to. This allows Waste Management to track overages, broken totes, or other miscellaneous problems.

What else is changing?
Recycling – Changing from once a week to every other week.

Schedule – The Town is moving from a 5-day pick up schedule to a 4-day pick up schedule. If you are unsure if your address is changing pick up days, please see the list at the following link: Boston Street Listing. If you have further questions, please call the Town Clerk’s office at 1-716-941-6113.

Stickers – If you have normal household garbage that is not recyclable and does not fit into your cart, you can place the excess garbage in 30-gallon bags and affix an extra capacity sticker on each bag. Stickers can be purchased in the Town Clerk’s Office for $3.00 each. After affixing the sticker to the extra bag(s) you can place them next to your trash cart for collection.

Bulk Pick Up – If you need bulk pick-up after August 22nd, 2022, you will need to call Waste Management directly to schedule a pickup. Bulk items include small furniture, bedding, mattresses, hot water tanks and household appliances. Carpet is acceptable but must be rolled into lengths of 4 feet or less, taped securely, and not have a diameter wider than 18 inches. Any item requiring oil and/or gas must have those liquids removed prior to collection. Holiday trees are also considered bulk items and can be scheduled for collection. To schedule a bulk, pick up, please call 1-800-972-4545 or visit THIS link. Bulk pick up is offered once per month with up to three large items.

Boston NY 2024 Program Guide - PIck Up Schedule

At Your Door Service

Waste Management’s At Your Door Special Collection® service can safely collect many types of unwanted potentially hazardous and hard-to-recycle items from your home. See the video below for a quick run-down, or click the following link to see which items are able to be collected or to schedule a pick-up: https://wmatyourdoor.com/residential/.

Please note this service is for Town of Boston residents only. If you are unsure if your town is participating in this program, contact your local representatives for more information.

Recycling

Cars

Wheels For Wishes is a vehicle donation program benefiting Make-A-Wish Western New York. At no charge to residents, they pick up or tow away vehicles, anywhere in New York. Earned proceeds are donated to Make-A-Wish Western New York and help to grant the wishes of local kids. Contact them at 1-855-239-9474 or visit Rochester Buffalo Wheels for Wishes.