TOWN OF MANLIUS – The town of Manlius is working through some growing pains with its new trash removal service.
Late last month, the town converted to an automated trash service and each resident enrolled in the service received two 95-gallon totes – one for garbage and one for recycling.
Since receiving the totes, many residents have complained about the size and weight of the new receptacles, as well as the difficulty for some in condominium complexes finding space along the curb for all of the large receptacles.
Initially, the town had notified residents that if they wanted smaller, 65-gallon totes, they could notify Syracuse Haulers and the large ones would be switched out for a fee.
Last week, a number of residents appeared before the town board to voice their concerns. Several residents indicated that the large totes are not manageable for seniors and are impractical for people with long driveways.
After hearing the backlash from residents, Manlius Supervisor Deer reported that over the next three months, anyone wishing to have a smaller tote can notify town hall and they will be put on the list for a smaller receptacle as soon as the inventory is available. Deer asked residents to self-prioritize because of the lack of smaller totes, with hopes that the town can provide the few smaller totes available to seniors and those without any space in their garages.
A drive through town on trash day last week indicated many residents were having trouble getting the hang of the new trash protocols. Some residents had brought their trash to the road and placed the totes with the front facing the side. Some had left the totes too far from the roadside for the arm on the automated trucks to reach them. Some had carboard spilling out of the front of the totes, blocking the steel bar the automated trucks latch onto to empty the receptacles.
Under the new trash rules, residents are supposed to place the totes near the roadside, with the opening of the lid facing the road, a minimum of five feet apart, or with one tote on either side of the driveway.
Just to the south, the town of Pompey switched to an automated trash service several years ago. Driving the town, you’ll see many residents who leave the receptacles by the roadside throughout the week, rather than haul them up and down their driveways on trash days.
When the town contracted with Syracuse Haulers for the new, automated service, the company was the only bid for the town’s business. In presenting the new service to the town board earlier this year, Syracuse Haulers’ Rocco Grosso said this is the direction the entire industry is headed, largely because of the difficulty in staffing enough personnel to handle everyone’s trash.
Deer had said the town was hoping to have a variety of bids, and had wanted to offer services like composting, but no additional companies bid on the work.
“When we go to the market seeking a solution, and the market has one option, we only have one option,” Deer said.
Residents in the town of Manlius trash district that would like a smaller receptacle can make that request by calling town hall at 315-637-3414 or emailing [email protected]. Deer asked residents to be patient, and requests will be processed as soon as possible.
“We’ve got one person who is our trash and brush liaison and she’s been absolutely inundated with calls,” he said. “We’ve got multiple staff members helping her out and we’re just trying to get ahead of that.”

Editor’s note: This story was updated May 31 with the correct phone number.