Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bensalem
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.
Dependent on private hauler Bin (Trash)
Cart size, placement times, and limits are determined by the contract with your chosen private waste management company.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Dependent on private hauler Bin (Recycling)
Recycling must be included in your standard private collection fee as mandated by township ordinance. Do not bag recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper and newsprint
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Electronics and e-waste
- ✕Household hazardous waste
- ✕Plastic bags or films
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in biodegradable paper bags or a rigid container approved by your trash hauler. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited and will be rejected. Grass clippings are excluded.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Garden residues
- ✓Shrubs
- ✓Tree trimmings (bundled)
- ✓Christmas trees
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Dependent on private hauler contract
Placement
Determined by your chosen service provider's specific guidelines.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses (often required to be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Large household items (varies by hauler)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals
- ✕ Electronics and TVs
- ✕ Tires (unless specifically arranged)
- ✕ Construction debris (usually requires a dumpster)
Many private haulers require advanced scheduling and may charge an additional fee or require a special sticker for oversized bulk items not covered in your base monthly rate.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Holiday delays are entirely dependent on the private hauler you contract with. Most major providers (like WM or Republic) will delay service by one day if the holiday falls on a weekday.
Yard Waste Exception
Check your private hauler's holiday communication regarding any specific shifts in seasonal yard waste pickups.
Since the township does not manage the trucks, always refer to your private invoice or your hauler's online portal for precise holiday schedule changes.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Grass Clippings Out of Leaf Waste
Bensalem Township specifically excludes grass clippings from its definition of acceptable leaf and yard waste. You must utilize grass-cycling (leaving clippings on your lawn) or coordinate special disposal with your private hauler instead of mixing them with leaves.
Never Use Plastic Bags for Organics
Haulers operating within Bensalem will refuse to pick up any leaf or yard waste that is packed into standard plastic garbage bags. You must invest in heavy-duty biodegradable kraft paper yard bags to ensure pickup.
Keep E-Waste Completely Separate
Do not throw electronics, computers, or old televisions into your private hauler's trash or recycling bins. Neither Bensalem Township nor Bucks County accepts e-waste in normal streams; residents must contact the County Recycling Coordinator to find specialized drop-off events.
Seasonal Information
Winter
January, February, MarchDuring the deep winter months, curbside leaf collection may be paused by your hauler. However, Bensalem residents are permitted to drop off accumulated leaf and yard waste at Waste Management's local compost facility in Tullytown, PA.
Post-Holiday
JanuaryTownship regulations mandate that all private trash haulers operating in Bensalem provide at least one scheduled pickup for post-holiday Christmas trees. Check directly with your service provider for your neighborhood's designated tree collection date.
Fall
October to DecemberWhile leaf collection schedules vary wildly depending on which company you hire, haulers are legally obligated by the township to offer at least one specific collection day for autumn leaves and garden materials.
About Bensalem Waste Management
Mandatory Private Subscription Waste System
Unlike municipalities that manage curbside pickup internally, Bensalem Township requires all residents, commercial businesses, and institutional entities to secure their own solid waste, recycling, and yard waste services. Under Township Ordinance No. 89-03 (Codified under Chapter 107-5.2), property owners must directly hire a licensed private hauler, such as Waste Management or Republic Services, to maintain a sanitary community environment.
Hauler Requirements and Built-in Recycling Services
To ensure compliance with the Pennsylvania Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling, and Waste Reduction Act, Bensalem requires that all private haulers bundle standard recycling collection into their baseline fee. When you negotiate your contract, ensure that your hauler removes typical recyclables according to a regular schedule, without charging hidden surcharges for standard diversion services.
Strict Anti-Burning and Illegal Dumping Ordinances
Protecting local air quality and public spaces is a priority in Bensalem. Chapter 107-5.2 of the Township Code strictly prohibits the burning of any source-separated materials, which includes a total ban on burning fall leaves, brush, or yard waste. Violators caught illegally dumping municipal waste or burning debris face steep consequences, including fines of up to $1,000 plus court costs, and potentially up to 30 days of imprisonment.
Seasonal Yard Waste Regulations
While day-to-day leaf and yard waste collection schedules depend on your specific hauler, township rules dictate that haulers must offer at least one collection for leaves, garden materials, tree trimmings, and Christmas trees. All organic debris set out at the curb must be packed in biodegradable paper bags or a hauler-approved rigid container. Remember that grass clippings are completely excluded from the definition of leaf waste and must be handled differently.
Drop-off Facilities
Waste Management Tullytown Compost Facility
200 Bordentown Rd, Tullytown, PA 19057 (Address approximate, verify via WM)
Materials Accepted
Bucks County Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Various event locations across Bucks County
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bensalem Township provide municipal trash collection?
No. Bensalem Township operates on a mandatory private subscription model. According to Township Ordinance No. 89-03, every resident and business must independently hire and pay a private hauler to handle their solid waste and recycling needs.
Can I burn my fall leaves instead of bagging them for the hauler?
Absolutely not. Bensalem Township strictly prohibits the burning of any source-separated materials, including leaves, yard waste, and trash. Violating this anti-burning ordinance can result in fines up to $1,000 and even imprisonment.
Do I have to pay extra for recycling pickup with my private hauler?
No. Local township regulations stipulate that private trash haulers operating in Bensalem must include both regular trash and recycling collection as part of your standard, normal collection fee.
Where can I dispose of an old television or computer in Bensalem?
Electronics cannot be placed in your curbside bins, and the Township does not accept them. You must hold onto your e-waste and take it to a designated Bucks County Household Hazardous Waste and E-Waste collection event. You can call the County Recycling Coordinator at 215-345-3400 for the upcoming schedule.