Totes in Buffalo must be placed at the curb with wheels facing the house, three feet apart, and away from vehicles, trees, and utility poles to allow automated truck arms to lift them.
Buffalo uses semi-automated collection trucks that require clear access to totes. City guidelines specify totes placed at the curb edge or tree lawn, wheels facing the house, with handles away from the street. Totes must be at least three feet apart and three feet from any obstruction (parked cars, mailboxes, utility poles, trees, snowbanks). In winter, residents must clear snow around totes so trucks can grip and lift them. Totes are property of the City of Buffalo and assigned to the address; damaged or missing totes can be replaced via 311.
Improperly placed totes may not be collected. Damage to city-owned totes may result in replacement charges.
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