DEC issues second notice of violation to Geiter Done

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued a new violation against a controversial green waste company in Buffalo’s Lovejoy neighborhood.

This after a new series of complaints about a foul odor coming from the Geiter Done company.

Call 4 Action first received complaints about the foul odor last summer. Since then, News 4 has been asking local and state agencies what they are doing to address residents’ concerns.

Today, News 4 learned a second notice of violation was issued to Geiter Done. The DEC says the foul odor is coming from the company’s mulch processing facility on Babcock Street.

The first notice of violation was issued to Geiter Done a month ago. The second notice of violation was issued to the business on May 29, after receiving numerous complaints about the foul odor in the neighborhood and a DEC inspection. People described the smell as like garbage.

Geiter Done could be liable for civil penalties of $7,500 for each violation and an additional penalty of $1,500 for each day the violation continues. But in a letter to the company, the DEC says heavier penalties are at stake.

“I hope they move somewhere else,” said Lovejoy resident Mary Partlow. “(The company’s response was there is no smell) that’s a lie, you can ask anyone on this street you will get the same answer.”

The notice of violation orders Geiter Done to take corrective action to eliminate the odor.

But Geither Done, in a letter to the DEC, disputes the very existence of an odor, saying the state’s tests have not been scientific and that Buffalo police conducted an inspection and did not detected no odor. The DEC says it takes air quality complaints seriously and continues to work with city officials to investigate complaints about foul odors in the Seneca-Babcock neighborhood.

Geiter Done’s contract with the city expires in August. Some members of the Buffalo Common City Council believe the city’s contract should be redesigned with conditions added, or the company’s license should be revoked.

News 4 has also learned that the Erie County Water Authority this week approved a $968,000 contract with Geiter Done to handle the removal and disposal of excavated materials. ECWA considers Geiter Done to be the responsible and responsive low bidder. News 4 attempted to contact CEWA officials about the agreement, but we have not heard back.

Here is the full statement from Geiter Done:

Geiter Done of WNY, Inc. is a local, family-owned business in business since 2005. We provide valuable environmental services and our work has improved the environmental condition of Western New York. In 2018, the City of Buffalo contracted Geiter Done to process green/yard waste. Due to the lack of transformers, the city had more than 60,000 cubic yards of green/green waste in its engineering garage located at 1120 Seneca St. Geiter. Completed, the materials were shredded and trucked off-site. We did the same thing in 2019, this time processing more than 102,000 cubic meters of green/garden waste. In 2020, Geiter Done bid and won the city’s mulch processing contract. To honor the contract, Geiter Done made significant investments in a facility located at 383 Babcock Street. 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. Geiter Done accepts wood, brush, branches, trees and stumps, with some leaves and grasses mixed in. Before the 383 Babcock Street facility opened, residents often threw these items in the trash, preventing valuable recycling and landfilling. 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.