Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bethel Park
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.
Municipality-issued Automated Cart Bin (Trash)
All trash must be bagged and fit entirely inside the provided cart with the lid tightly closed. Place the cart at the curb after 6:00 p.m. the night before collection or by 6:00 a.m. on service day, leaving 3 feet of clearance from obstacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household trash
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Paper towels
- ✓Plastic bags
- ✓Textiles (if not donated)
Municipality-issued 96-gallon Automated Cart Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected bi-weekly. All materials must be placed loose inside the cart—do not bag your recyclables. Items placed outside the cart will not be collected.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum cans
- ✓Paper and cardboard
- ✓Paper and plastic to-go cups
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Hazardous waste
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Food or liquid
Yard Waste Bin
Small amounts of yard waste may be bagged and placed inside your regular trash cart. Large seasonal accumulations require hiring a private yard debris removal service or independent composting.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once per month during the first FULL week of the month.
Placement
Place bulk items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the same day as your trash collection during your designated bulk collection week.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Non-freon appliances
- ✓ Large household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronic waste (TVs, laptops)
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Auto parts
Two items are collected for free during the designated week. If you have more than two items, or need an urgent pickup outside the bulk week, you must call Waste Management at 1-800-866-4460 to schedule and pay an additional fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the rest of the week will be pushed back one day. If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there are no delays.
Yard Waste Exception
Follows the standard trash delay rule if bagged inside the regular refuse cart.
Verify potential weather or holiday changes on the municipal Action Line or the official Waste Management portal.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Recyclables Loose
While the municipality strictly requires your standard garbage to be bagged within the trash cart, your 96-gallon recycling bin operates on the opposite rule. Never bag your recyclables; place aluminum, plastics, and paper loosely in the container so the sorting facility can process them correctly.
Rinse Glass Jars Thoroughly
Since glass is now co-mingled with paper and cardboard in your bi-weekly collection, any leftover food residue in pasta jars or beverage bottles can ruin surrounding paper products. Give all glass items a quick rinse before tossing them in.
Keep Medical and Hazardous Waste Out
Never place paint, motor oil, household cleaners, or medical sharps into your curbside carts. These materials pose a severe fire and safety risk to Waste Management teams and must be taken to dedicated Allegheny County household hazardous waste events.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryDuring heavy Western Pennsylvania snowstorms, Waste Management trucks may experience routing delays. Ensure your automated carts are set on a shoveled, flat surface at the curb with at least 3 feet of clearance, rather than perched on top of snowbanks.
Spring
April to MaySpring cleaning often uncovers old electronics, batteries, and paints. Watch the Bethel Park community calendar for nearby Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) collection events to safely dispose of these restricted materials.
Autumn
October to NovemberWhile small amounts of yard debris can be bagged and placed inside your regular trash cart, large fall leaf accumulations will fill your bin instantly. Consider composting your leaves or hiring a private yard debris removal service to clear massive piles.
About Bethel Park Waste Management
Bethel Park's Transition to Automated Waste Carts
Starting in January 2024, the Municipality of Bethel Park completely overhauled its residential waste program by transitioning to an automated cart system. To ensure successful pickup, every household must place their bagged garbage exclusively inside the municipality-issued carts compatible with mechanical lifters. Any refuse left outside or on top of the bins will be left behind by Waste Management crews.
How Monthly Bulk Collection Works
Unlike some Allegheny County municipalities that require pre-scheduling for every large item, Bethel Park offers a convenient monthly bulk pickup. During the first full week of each month, residents are permitted to place up to two bulk items at the curb on their regular service day. Keep in mind that if you have more than two items, or if you need an expedited removal outside of this specific week, you must proactively call Waste Management to arrange a special fee-based pickup.
Navigating Pennsylvania E-Waste Disposal Laws
Under the Pennsylvania Covered Device Recycling Act, it is strictly illegal to dispose of electronic waste like televisions, laptops, and computer monitors in your standard curbside trash. Violating this rule can result in hefty fines. Bethel Park residents should instead take advantage of local hard-to-recycle events hosted by the Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) at nearby locations like the South Park Wave Pool, or utilize certified e-waste haulers.
The Return of Glass to Curbside Recycling
In a major win for local sustainability, glass bottles and jars are once again accepted in Bethel Park's bi-weekly curbside recycling program as of 2024. If you produce a significant amount of glass waste or miss your bi-weekly collection, you can still utilize the permanent, 24/7 glass recycling drop-off dumpster located at Village Square Mall.
Drop-off Facilities
Village Square Mall Glass Drop-Off
5000 Oxford Drive, Bethel Park, PA 15102
Materials Accepted
Michael Brothers Hauling & Recycling
901 Horning Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
When is bulk trash collected in Bethel Park?
Bulk items are collected on your regular trash day during the first FULL week of each month. You can set out up to two large items for free. For additional items or off-schedule requests, you must call Waste Management.
Can I put glass in my curbside recycling bin?
Yes. As of January 2024, Bethel Park residents can place glass bottles, jars, and jugs directly into their 96-gallon automated recycling cart. You can also drop glass off at the permanent bin at Village Square Mall.
Why wasn't my garbage picked up today?
The most common reasons for a missed pickup are that the trash was not bagged, items were left outside the automated cart, the lid was not fully closed, or you did not leave 3 feet of clearance around the bin. E-waste or hazardous materials will also cause a rejection.
How do I report a missed trash collection?
First, contact Waste Management directly at 1-800-866-4460. If they cannot resolve the issue, you can submit a complaint through the Bethel Park 'Citizen Action Line' on the municipal website to alert the Community Development team.