Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Abington
Pennsylvania waste collection runs weekly, with exact days varying by local township, borough, or city routing schedules.
State Mandate
Follow Act 101 guidelines for mandatory community recycling.
Green (35, 65, or 95-gallon sizes) Bin (Trash)
Bins must be at the curb by 7:00 AM. Excess trash must be in store-bought plastic garbage bags (maximum 30 lbs each) placed next to the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Normal household refuse
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable wrappers and packaging
Township-issued carts Bin (Recycling)
Normally collected dual-stream (paper separate from commingled). Collected single-stream only on the day following a Township holiday. Do not bag recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Commingled plastics, glass bottles, and metal cans
- ✓Clean cardboard and paper products
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Medical waste or loose syringes
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Must be in 30-lb biodegradable brown paper bags or a container under 35 gallons. Branches must be tied in bundles no longer than 3 feet. No plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Lawn and garden debris
- ✓Leaves and grass clippings
- ✓Small branches and twigs (under 3 inches thick)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By paid appointment only
Placement
Paid bulk items must be placed at the normal trash collection location by 7:00 AM on the scheduled pickup date.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches, chairs, and sectionals
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large household furniture
- ✓ Carpet rolls (cut to 3-foot lengths, tied, and bound)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions and computer monitors (banned by state law)
- ✕ Construction materials (drywall, shingles, bricks)
- ✕ Hazardous waste or liquid chemicals
- ✕ Dirt, stones, and rocks
Fees vary by item (e.g., $25 for a standard couch, $10 for a bookcase). Extra black contractor bags of normal trash can be scheduled for $1 each.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a Township-observed holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling collection shifts to the next business day (e.g., Monday routes shift to Tuesday, Friday routes shift to Monday). The day immediately following a holiday features single-stream recycling to maximize truck efficiency.
Yard Waste Exception
There is absolutely no yard waste collection on the day immediately following a holiday; you must wait until your next regularly scheduled collection day.
Large item bulk pickups are not performed on holidays or the day following a holiday.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Dirt and Rocks Out of Yard Bags
The Township's yard waste program is exclusively for organic lawn debris. Do not put dirt, sod, stones, or rocks into your brown biodegradable bags, as this damages the composting equipment and will result in your bags being left at the curb.
Rip the Clean Lids off Pizza Boxes
Cardboard that is contaminated with food grease cannot be recycled. If you order a pizza, tear off the clean, unsoiled top half of the box to place in your recycling cart, and throw the greasy bottom half into your green trash bin.
Secure Small Syringes in Rigid Plastic
For the safety of Public Works employees, never throw loose medical sharps or syringes into your trash bags. Small quantities of syringes must be sealed inside a thick plastic container, such as a liquid laundry detergent bottle with the cap tightly secured, before entering the regular trash.
Seasonal Information
Spring & Fall
April and OctoberThe Public Works Department designates two specific 'Trash Clean-Out Weeks' annually (typically mid-April and early October). During these weeks, residents can place unlimited amounts of normal household trash out in store-bought 30-lb bags without incurring extra bulk fees. Note: Large furniture and electronics are still excluded.
Autumn
October to DecemberThe Township runs an extensive Leaf Collection Program independent of standard yard waste. The area is divided into 15 zones (A through O), and each neighborhood receives two vacuum collections for loose curbside leaves. Check the Township calendar for your zone's exact dates.
Winter
JanuaryPost-holiday Christmas trees are collected curbside on your normal trash day between early and late January. All decorations, wire, and stands must be completely removed. The Public Works facility chips these trees into mulch for residents to use in the spring.
About Abington Waste Management
Abington's Automated Variable-Rate Trash Program
Abington Township operates a highly efficient hybrid Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) automated collection program. Under this system, residents are incentivized to reduce their waste generation and increase recycling to control their municipal fees. Depending on your household's needs, you can select and pay for a 35-gallon, 65-gallon, or 95-gallon green trash cart. All normal household refuse must fit inside these designated bins and be placed at the curb no later than 7:00 AM on your scheduled collection day.
Dual-Stream vs. Single-Stream Recycling Variations
Normally, Abington utilizes a dual-stream recycling system where paper products are kept separate from commingled plastics, glass, and metals to secure higher market values. However, there is a unique exception: on the day immediately following a Township-observed holiday, the Public Works Department switches to a single-stream collection method. On these specific post-holiday days, all your recyclables are loaded into the same truck to maximize routing efficiency and accommodate the delayed schedule.
Strict Protocol for Large Items and E-Waste
Unlike some municipalities that offer free bulk pickup days, Abington Township requires residents to pre-schedule and pay a per-item fee for any large items such as furniture, mattresses, or large appliances. Metal and non-metal items are collected on entirely different weekdays. Furthermore, under Pennsylvania state law, electronic waste like televisions and computers are strictly banned from curbside bulk collection. Residents must utilize designated 'Anything with a Plug' recycling events or local e-waste centers.
Year-Round Regulated Yard Waste Collection
Organic yard debris, including brush, twigs, and leaves, is collected year-round on the same day as your regular trash. However, Abington enforces strict containment rules to protect sanitation workers. All yard waste must be placed in retail-purchased brown biodegradable paper bags or in open containers that are 35 gallons or smaller. Plastic bags are entirely forbidden. Any brush or tree limbs must be cut to a maximum of three feet in length, tied in manageable bundles, and weigh no more than 30 pounds.
Drop-off Facilities
Abington Public Works Highway Yard (Special Events Only)
2201 Florey Lane, Abington, PA 19001
Materials Accepted
Montgomery County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events
Various locations (e.g., Abington Middle School at 2056 Susquehanna Rd during specific dates)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put extra garbage bags next to my Abington Township trash cart?
Yes, you can place extra normal household trash next to your green automated cart. However, the excess garbage must be placed in a standard store-bought plastic garbage bag and cannot weigh more than 30 pounds. Any bag exceeding 30 pounds will be left at the curb.
How do I get rid of an old television or computer in Abington?
You cannot leave televisions, computers, or monitors at the curb, as they are banned from standard trash and bulk pickup by Pennsylvania state law. You must wait for one of the Township's 'Anything with a Plug' recycling events or utilize the Montgomery County Retrievr program.
Does my yard waste get picked up on the day after a holiday?
No. While your regular trash and recycling are pushed back one day following a holiday, yard waste is entirely suspended on the day after a holiday. You will need to hold onto your lawn debris until your next regularly scheduled collection week.
Why did the Township take all my recycling in one truck this week?
While Abington Township normally uses a dual-stream recycling process (separating paper from commingled plastics/metals), they switch to a single-stream process on the day following a holiday. This temporary mix allows the Department of Public Works to maximize truck efficiency and handle the delayed pickup routes.