Niagara Falls Residents Receiving New, Larger Garbage Bins as Part of New Contract with Casella Waste Management

Niagara Falls officials have approved a five-year extension with Casella Waste Management, doubling the length of the city’s existing garbage and recycling collection agreement and securing a major equipment upgrade for residents.

As part of the revised arrangement, Casella will invest approximately $1.2 million this year to supply 18,000 brand-new, 96-gallon blue garbage totes to residents. These larger containers will replace the aging, smaller models currently used throughout the city, which are nearing the end of their lifespan according to Mayor Robert Restaino.

The contract, originally set to expire in April 2029, will now run through April 2034. No changes were made to the contract’s terms, conditions, or service standards as part of the extension.

Under the deal, Casella will now own and maintain the new totes, assuming responsibility for their upkeep and repair for the duration of the contract. Previously, the city’s Department of Public Works (DPW) handled maintenance on the totes it owned. However, DPW will continue to manage the green recycling totes, which are not part of the updated contract.

Restaino had voiced reservations earlier this year about the cost of replacing the existing totes using city funds, warning that such a purchase could necessitate a hike in the current user fee, which has remained at $181 annually since 2019.

“This agreement helps us avoid burdening residents with an increased fee while ensuring they receive improved equipment,” Restaino noted in a memo to the council.

Despite the mayor’s support, the extension didn’t receive unanimous approval. Council Member Donta Myles strongly opposed the move, citing an uptick in service complaints since Casella took over from Modern Disposal Services.

“Residents are calling about damaged totes, trash left behind, and containers dumped in the middle of the street,” Myles said. “Until Casella addresses these ongoing issues, I can’t support locking the city into a longer deal.”

Council Chair James Perry and members Traci Bax, Brian Archie, and David Zajac all voted in favor of the extension.

Casella’s contract began last year after Modern Disposal’s long-standing service contract expired. While the transition was meant to usher in improved collection and reliability, several residents and council members have raised concerns about service quality.

Niagara Falls Residents Receiving New, Larger Garbage Bins as Part of New Contract with Casella Waste Management