Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Altoona
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Thursday according to city zones: Monday (Juniata, Wehnwood, Ivyside, Logantown), Tuesday (Center City, Fairview, Keith Area, Gospel Hill), Wednesday (South Altoona, Mansion Park, Eldorado, Llyswen), and Thursday (Pleasant Valley, East End, Dutch Hill, Prospect).
Recycling
Collected on your designated zone trash day (follow your hauler's weekly or bi-weekly schedule).
Yard Waste
Seasonal curbside brush and leaf pickups occur during scheduled spring and fall weeks on your regular zone collection day; drop-off is also available year-round at the City Highway Yard and Buckhorn Composting Facility.
Set Out Time
By 5:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Altoona residents contract individually with licensed private haulers for residential waste removal, but all haulers are mandated by city ordinance to follow the city's official neighborhood collection schedule.
Billing Cycle
Monthly or Quarterly (billed directly by private hauler)
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone (varies by hauler)
Pro Tip / Discount
Discounts vary by private hauler (many local haulers offer senior citizen or veteran discounts).
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Mandatory Residential Garbage Collection
In the City of Altoona, all residential households are legally required to maintain active garbage and recyclable collection services. Rather than utilizing a single municipal provider, the city operates on an open-market system where residents must independently contract with a licensed private trash hauler of their choice, such as Burgmeier's Hauling or Waste Management. If you reside in an apartment complex, your landlord or property management company is strictly responsible for setting up and providing adequate waste disposal options for the building.
Curbside Recycling Rules and The IRC
Altoona is a proud member of the Intermunicipal Relations Committee (IRC), which governs recycling regulations across the greater Blair County region. Curbside recycling is mandated by local ordinances and is provided directly through your chosen private trash hauler. The IRC strictly prohibits the use of plastic garbage bags for recyclables, as they cause severe jams in sorting machinery. Instead, commingled items like #1 and #2 plastic bottles, glass jars, and aluminum cans must be placed loose in your designated blue recycling bin.
Proper Paper and Cardboard Disposal
Keeping paper products dry is essential for proper recycling processing. The IRC recommends placing newspapers, mail, and magazines inside a covered bin or a traditional brown paper bag. Corrugated cardboard boxes must be completely flattened and bundled, or nested inside one another to save critical space on the collection trucks. Shredded paper is the only exception to the strict plastic bag rule; it must be securely tied in a clear plastic bag to prevent tiny paper fragments from blowing across the neighborhood on your scheduled pickup day.
Yard Waste and Composting Facilities
Because yard waste cannot be mixed with standard household garbage, residents have several options for disposing of grass clippings, leaves, and brush. While some private haulers offer seasonal yard waste pickup for an additional subscription fee, all Altoona residents have full access to the IRC Recycling and Compost Facilities. You can drop off organic landscaping materials directly at these sites to be sustainably composted, heavily assisting in the diversion of excess biodegradable waste from local Pennsylvania landfills.
Bulk Items and Electronics Regulations
For large household items like mattresses, couches, or broken appliances, you will need to coordinate a special bulk pickup directly with your contracted waste hauler. These cumbersome items are typically subject to extra handling fees and cannot simply be left at the curb unannounced. Furthermore, Pennsylvania state law strictly prohibits throwing electronics, such as televisions and computers, into the standard trash stream. Altoona residents should utilize the IRC's special hazardous waste and electronics recycling drop-off events scheduled periodically throughout the year.
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
Does the City of Altoona provide municipal trash trucks?
No, the city requires residents to independently hire a licensed private waste hauler for regular curbside garbage and recycling pickup.
Can I put my recyclable plastics and cans in a plastic trash bag?
No, the Intermunicipal Relations Committee strictly prohibits bagging commingled recyclables. They must be placed loose in your blue recycling bin to prevent machinery issues.
How do I dispose of old televisions or computers in Altoona?
Electronics cannot be thrown in your regular trash due to state laws. You must take them to a designated IRC electronics recycling drop-off event or a certified e-waste facility.