Recycling Requirements: Buffalo vs Clarence
How do recycling requirements rules compare between Buffalo, NY and Clarence, NY?
Buffalo and Clarence have similar restriction levels.
Buffalo, NY
Erie County
Buffalo requires source-separated single-stream recycling of paper, cardboard, glass, metal cans, and plastics #1-#5 and #7 in the blue tote, with contamination causing loads to be rejected.
View full Buffalo rules →Clarence, NY
Erie County
Erie County coordinates recycling countywide through its Local Solid Waste Management Plans, but the actual recyclables list and mandatory-recycling rules are set by each municipality. New York's Electronic Equipment and battery laws add statewide recycling mandates.
View full Clarence rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Buffalo | Clarence |
|---|---|---|
| System | Single-stream blue tote | - |
| Plastics | Numbers 1-5 and 7 | - |
| Not Accepted | Bags, foam, food, textiles | - |
| Frequency | Weekly | - |
| Mandatory | Erie County law | - |
| County plans | - | NEST + Northwest LSWMPs |
| Recyclables list | - | Set by municipality |
| State e-waste ban | - | Covered electronics |
| County info line | - | (716) 858-6800 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Buffalo FAQ
What plastics can I recycle in Buffalo?
Plastic containers marked with recycling codes 1 through 5 and 7. Plastic bags and #6 styrofoam are not accepted curbside.
Do I need to separate paper and bottles?
No. Buffalo uses single-stream recycling; mix all accepted recyclables together in the blue tote.
Clarence FAQ
Is recycling mandatory in Erie County?
Mandatory-recycling rules and the accepted-materials list are set by your municipality, not the county. Erie County coordinates planning and education under its Local Solid Waste Management Plans.
What recycling is required statewide?
New York bans covered electronics and most rechargeable batteries from the trash and requires phone retailers to take back old phones. Curbside recyclables are defined locally.
Compare other topics
See how Buffalo and Clarence compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool