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Buffalo green waste facility receives second DEC violation

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Geiter Done of WNY Inc., a green waste facility in the Seneca-Babcock community, has been hit with another DEC violation.

The first offense was the result of dozens of people in the community complaining about a foul odor coming from the establishment.

“Like rotten eggs”: Seneca-Babcock neighborhood complains of foul odor around green waste facility

On May 13, the DEC sent a letter to the company regarding the foul odor. Dozens of neighbors have complained to 7 News about the smell, which they liken to “rotten eggs.” Many said it stopped them from going out. On May 29, the DEC sent another notice of violation to the registered mulch facility for accepting grass clippings. The facility cannot accept cut grass alone.

The two violations are mentioned below:

Screenshot 06/04/2024 at 6:37 p.m./22.png

DEC

Part of DEC letter to Geiter Done of WNY

At a meeting of the Buffalo Common Council Committee on Community Development on Tuesday, Councilman Bryan Bollman spoke about the problem his residents are facing.

“I am calling on the (Buffalo) Department of Permits and Inspections to review the license when it comes up for renewal,” Bollman said. He said it’s frustrating that the company and its attorney, Brian Gwitt, have denied the allegations of people who work and live there every day. Bollman said he wants all parties to come to the table.

On Tuesday, Gwitt sent this statement in response to 7 News’ Michael Schwartz:

In May 2024, Geiter Done became aware of a few complaints regarding alleged odors from mulch processing. We immediately investigated but were unable to locate any odor. Geiter Done regularly inspects its facilities and has not been able to detect any problems. The facility is kept clean and materials are processed shortly after receipt. Geiter Done is working with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the City to resolve any issues and welcomes site inspections.

Regarding the community meeting planned by Council Member Bryan J. Bollman, Mr. Bollman neither invited nor included Geiter Done.

“I’m done with people not recognizing that they have to live among other people,” said Buffalo City Councilman Mitch Nowakowski. The facility also impacts its residents in the Fillmore District.

“They need to move operations out of a residential area,” Bryan Rotatch said. The retired pastor of the Seneca Street church said children involved in the church’s summer and after-school activities no longer want to go out because of the smell.

Residents of the Seneca-Babcock neighborhood came to Tuesday's meeting saying they want to improve the community.

WKBW

Residents of the Seneca-Babcock neighborhood came to Tuesday’s meeting saying they want to improve the community.

Rotatch and others spoke at Tuesday’s meeting. They are among dozens of people who have complained to the city and 7 problem solvers.

The DEC has ordered Geiter Done to resolve the issue as mentioned in the most recent notice of violation. Gwitt said Tuesday he had not yet seen that letter.

DEC 2

DEC

Part of DEC order to Geiter Completed
Part of DEC order to Geiter Completed

DEC

Second part of the order from DEC to Geiter Completed

In a statement, the DEC told 7 News:

DEC takes all issues related to air quality very seriously. DEC is working with City of Buffalo officials and continues to investigate complaints and community concerns regarding odors in the Seneca-Babcock neighborhood related to the Geiter Done mulch processing facility on Babcock Street. A second Notice of Violation (NOV) was issued to the facility on May 29, 2024 (please see attached), following additional odor complaints and the results of an inspection by DEC staff. The NOV requires the facility to take additional corrective measures to reduce odors.

DEC is committed to continuing its aggressive monitoring to ensure that Geiter Done complies with the terms of the NOV and operates in compliance with applicable laws and will use all of its available legal authority to enforce New York State’s strict environmental laws to ensure that the Seneca-Babcock community and the environment are protected.

Gwitt told 7 News that Geiter Done is a family business that has been in business since 2005.

“In 2018, the City of Buffalo contracted Geiter Done to process green and yard waste,” Gwitt said. “Due to the lack of transformers, the city had over 60,000 cubic yards of green/green waste in its engineering garage located at 1120 Seneca St. Geiter. We shredded the materials and trucked them off-site. We did the same in 2019, that time processing over 102,000 cubic meters of green/yard waste. »

Gwitt said that in 2020, Geiter Done won the bid for the city’s mulch processing contract.

“The facility has been well received by the City and allows residents to drop off their green waste on site and take away mulch, all free of charge,” Gwitt said. “Geiter Done accepts wood, brush, branches, trees and stumps, with some leaves and grass mixed in. Before the facility at 383 Babcock Street opened, residents often put these items in the trash, preventing valuable recycling and landfilling.”

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