Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Altoona
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.
Resident's Choice (Must have secure lids) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be enclosed in containers with lids. Place bins at the curb no earlier than 6:00 PM the evening before your privately scheduled collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household trash
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Tissues and paper towels
Blue Bin (Available at City Hall) Bin (Recycling)
Paper must be kept dry; use a covered bin or a paper bag. Rinse all containers thoroughly and screw lids back onto plastic bottles. Do NOT place recyclables in plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓#1 & #2 plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (all colors)
- ✓Steel and aluminum cans
- ✓Newspaper, magazines, and junk mail
- ✓Flattened cardboard and paperboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam packaging
- ✕Yogurt or margarine tubs
- ✕Pizza or food-covered boxes
- ✕Window glass and light bulbs
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in brown kraft paper bags or bundled with twine. Do not tape the bags shut—simply fold the top. Max weight is 50 lbs per bag. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Garden trimmings
- ✓Brush (smaller than 3 inches in diameter and 6 feet long)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Varies by private hauler subscription.
Placement
Place your approved bulk item at the curb no earlier than 6:00 PM the evening before the collection appointment made with your hauler.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, dressers)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Standard non-Freon appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions and computers (E-waste)
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals and liquid paint
- ✕ Construction materials
- ✕ Freon-containing units (unless explicitly approved)
Bulk pickup is generally not included in standard base rates. Extra fees apply based on your hauler's specific pricing structure, or you can utilize local on-demand junk removal companies.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because collections are handled by various private haulers, holiday delays vary. Typically, if a major holiday falls on a weekday, service is pushed back one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
City-run Spring and Fall yard waste sweeps operate on strict, pre-published dates and are not usually impacted by minor holidays.
Always verify directly with your specific contracted hauler (e.g., Burgmeier's, WM) for their exact commercial holiday operating hours.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Paper Bone Dry
Wet paper rapidly degrades and can ruin an entire batch of recyclables. The IRC heavily stresses keeping your paper products dry by using a blue bin with a secure lid, or keeping them inside until the morning of your collection.
Cap It Before You Toss It
When recycling #1 and #2 plastic bottles and jugs, make sure to rinse out any remaining liquids and screw the plastic cap back on. Loose caps fall through the sorting grates, but attached caps are successfully recycled.
Fold, Don't Tape
When preparing brown kraft paper bags for seasonal yard waste pickup, do not seal them with tape, zip ties, or wire. Simply fold the top of the bag over. Foreign adhesives contaminate the organic compost created at the Blair County facilities.
Seasonal Information
Spring
March - AprilThe City of Altoona conducts an annual Spring Yard Waste Collection divided by neighborhood zones (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday zones). Materials must be at the curb by 7:00 AM on your assigned day.
Autumn
October - NovemberFall leaf collections follow the same zone-based schedule. It is illegal to sweep leaves into the street or public gutters; they must be properly bagged in kraft paper or dropped off at the Buckhorn facility.
Winter
December - FebruaryResidents are legally responsible for clearing an 18-inch path on sidewalks within 24 hours of a snowfall's end. Keep the areas around your bins clear to ensure your private hauler can safely access them.
About Altoona Waste Management
Navigating Altoona's Open Market System
Unlike cities with municipal waste fleets, Altoona utilizes an open-market subscription system. City ordinance mandates that all homeowners and apartment landlords maintain active residential garbage and recycling collection. However, it is entirely up to you to hire a licensed private hauler operating in Blair County, such as Burgmeier's Hauling, Waste Management, or Tuckahoe Valley Disposal, to service your property.
Uniform Recycling Through the IRC
While trash haulers vary by household, recycling rules remain consistent thanks to the Intermunicipal Relations Committee (IRC). The IRC manages recycling and composting efforts across Altoona, Logan Township, and Hollidaysburg Borough. This unified approach ensures that no matter who picks up your bins, the accepted single-stream and dual-stream materials remain exactly the same.
Achieving the 'Perfect Recycling Bin'
The IRC actively encourages residents to aim for the 'Perfect Recycling Bin.' This means utilizing an official blue container (available at Altoona City Hall) equipped with a lid to keep paper products completely dry. Cardboard should be flattened and nested inside a larger box, and all plastics must be rinsed with their caps securely screwed back on prior to placement.
Seasonal City-Run Yard Waste Sweeps
Though your private hauler manages daily refuse, the City of Altoona Public Works Department steps in during the Spring and Fall to offer specialized curbside yard waste collections. Separated by city zones, these sweeps allow residents to easily dispose of bagged leaves and bundled brush without having to drive directly to the Buckhorn or Duncansville composting facilities.
Drop-off Facilities
Buckhorn Recycling & Compost Facility
Black Snake Rd, Altoona, PA 16601
Materials Accepted
Duncansville Recycling & Compost Facility
16906 Dunnings Hwy, Duncansville, PA 16635
Materials Accepted
Altoona City Hall
1301 12th St, Altoona, PA 16601
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides trash pickup in Altoona, PA?
Altoona operates on an open-market system. The city requires every resident to maintain active garbage collection, but you must independently set up an account with a private hauler operating in Blair County, such as Burgmeier's Hauling, Waste Management, or Tuckahoe Valley Disposal.
Where can I get a recycling bin in Altoona?
You can pick up an official blue curbside recycling bin at Altoona City Hall or the Logan Township Municipal Building. It is highly recommended to request one with a lid to keep your recyclable paper dry.
Can I burn my trash or yard waste in my backyard?
No. The City of Altoona enforces a strict burning ban. Residents are prohibited from burning garbage, cardboard, leaves, or recyclables. Only clean, dry wood can be burned in specific recreational fire pits located at least 15 feet from your house.
How do I dispose of a television or laptop in Altoona?
Electronic waste cannot be placed in the regular trash. You must take televisions, computers, and related peripherals to a designated e-waste drop-off site or wait for a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) event hosted by the Intermunicipal Relations Committee (IRC).