Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bristol
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 (95-gallon cart) Bin (Trash)
All household garbage must be bagged before being placed inside the green cart to prevent litter and pests. The lid must close completely. Place at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household waste
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Textiles (if not donated)
Blue (65-gallon cart) Bin (Recycling)
Bristol utilizes single-stream recycling. Place all acceptable recyclables loosely inside the blue cart. Never put recyclables inside plastic trash bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass jars and bottles
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Cardboard and clean paper products
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or films
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Household hazardous waste
- ✕Electronics or medical waste
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in rigid open-top containers or biodegradable paper yard bags. Branches must be tied or bundled with string. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Garden residues
- ✓Branches (under 4 feet long)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once a month during the township's designated Bulk Item Collection week.
Placement
Once successfully scheduled, place the bulk item at the curb the night before your normal collection day during the designated bulk week.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be plastic-wrapped)
- ✓ Large furniture (chairs, bookcases)
- ✓ Appliances (including Freon appliances if specified during scheduling)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
Bulk pickup is included in municipal services at no extra charge, but mandatory pre-scheduling is required. You must call (267) 812-2950 no later than the Friday before the bulk collection week.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Any major holiday that falls on a Monday through Friday will delay all subsequent collection services for the week by exactly one day. For example, if a holiday is on a Thursday, Thursday routes are collected Friday, and Friday routes are collected Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
During the active season (April to December), yard waste pickup follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular trash.
Regular collection services will resume their normal schedule the following week. Always ensure carts are out by 6:00 a.m. regardless of holiday shifts.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Unbag Your Single-Stream Recyclables
Never place your recyclables inside plastic grocery bags or black trash bags before tossing them in the 65-gallon blue cart. Plastic films jam the gears at the Waste Management sorting facility, which can cause your entire bin's contents to be sent to a landfill.
Wrap Mattresses for Bulk Collection
Before you set out a mattress or box spring for your scheduled monthly bulk pickup, it must be completely encased in a plastic mattress bag. If it is unsealed, sanitation crews are instructed to leave it behind to prevent the spread of bed bugs.
No Plastic Bags for Yard Debris
During the active yard waste season (April to December), do not bag your leaves or grass clippings in plastic. You must use certified compostable brown paper bags or reusable rigid containers so the materials can be successfully processed into compost.
Seasonal Information
Spring to Late Fall
April to DecemberThe dedicated yard waste collection program officially begins on April 1st and continues through December 11th. During this window, yard waste is collected on the same day as your regular trash and recycling.
Summer and Fall
Varies by yearBucks County hosts several regional Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection events during the warmer months, typically including an August event in neighboring Bensalem. Toxic chemicals, oil-based paints, and pesticides must be held for these events.
Winter Holidays
November to JanuaryThanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day are observed by Waste Management. If your collection day falls on or after these holidays during the workweek, your pickup will be delayed by one day.
About Bristol Waste Management
Automated Trash and Recycling Carts in Bristol Township
Bristol Township partners with Waste Management to provide an automated, once-a-week collection system for all residential solid waste. Every eligible household is equipped with two specific containers that remain the property of the township: a 95-gallon green cart designated for bagged household garbage, and a 65-gallon blue cart for loose, single-stream recyclables. Both carts must be placed at the curb with their wheels facing the property and the lid opening facing the street, ensuring at least four feet of clearance from mailboxes, trees, and parked vehicles.
Strict Pre-Scheduling for Monthly Bulk Pickups
Unlike municipalities that offer weekly bulk collection on demand, Bristol Township limits large item removal to one specific 'Bulk Item Collection Week' each month. Furthermore, residents are strictly limited to one bulk item per household per month. To guarantee pickup, you must pre-schedule your large item with the Township Refuse Coordinator by calling (267) 812-2950 no later than the Friday preceding the designated bulk collection week.
Seasonal Yard Waste Constraints
Keeping organic debris out of the primary waste stream is a township priority. Yard waste collection runs seasonally from April 1st through December 11th, and is collected on your regular trash day. Residents must place grass clippings and leaves into biodegradable paper bags or rigid, open-top containers. Plastic bags are explicitly prohibited and will be left at the curb. If you are disposing of branches, they must be cut down to lengths under four feet and securely bundled with twine.
Appliance and Mattress Disposal Regulations
Disposing of a mattress or white goods in Bristol requires adhering to specific sanitation and environmental guidelines. Any mattress or box spring placed at the curb during your scheduled bulk week must be entirely sealed in a plastic disposal bag to protect Waste Management crews from bed bugs and biohazards. Appliances containing Freon or CFC gases, such as refrigerators and air conditioners, are accepted as your monthly bulk item but must be explicitly mentioned when you call the township to schedule.
Drop-off Facilities
Bucks County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events
Various rotating locations (e.g., Bensalem, Newtown)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I throw away a mattress in Bristol Township?
You can throw away a mattress as your one monthly bulk item during the designated Bulk Collection Week. However, it must be completely wrapped in plastic, and you must call the township at (267) 812-2950 by the Friday before the collection week to schedule the pickup.
When does yard waste collection start and end in Bristol?
Bristol Township collects yard waste weekly on your regular trash day starting April 1st and continuing until December 11th. Ensure all organic debris is placed in biodegradable paper bags or rigid containers, not plastic bags.
Can I use my own trash cans instead of the green cart?
No. Bristol Township utilizes an automated collection system via Waste Management. All household trash must be placed inside the township-provided 95-gallon green cart with the lid closed. Materials left outside the cart or in personal bins will not be collected.
Where can I recycle old TVs and computers?
Under Pennsylvania state law, electronic waste is completely banned from curbside trash and bulk collection. You must hold onto covered devices like TVs, monitors, and computers and take them to designated Bucks County electronic recycling drop-off events.