Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Carlisle
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Weekly on the same day as trash collection
Yard Waste
Seasonal curbside collection (spring and fall brush pickup, fall leaf vacuuming) and drop-off at the Post Road Compost Facility
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and recycling fees are billed as a quarterly flat rate combined with water, sewer, and stormwater services.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, Phone, In Person, Auto-Pay
Pro Tip / Discount
Utility bill assistance is available for income-eligible residents struggling to pay their municipal utility bill.
Resident provided (up to 35-gallons) Bin (Trash)
Use a durable plastic, metal, or fiberglass container with strong handles and a tight-fitting lid, or a heavy-duty trash bag. The container or bag must not exceed 40 pounds. Only one is allowed per week unless official tags are attached to additional bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household refuse
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics (#3, #4, #6, #7)
Borough-provided recycling toter/bin Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected weekly on your normal trash day. Do not bag recyclables; place them loosely in the official Borough-provided bin. The recycling toter cannot be repurposed for excess garbage.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1, #2, and #5
- ✓Colored and clear glass bottles
- ✓Aluminum, steel, and bi-metal cans
- ✓Corrugated cardboard
- ✓Newspaper, magazines, and office paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastics #3, #4, #6, and #7
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Household hazardous waste
- ✕Yard debris
Yard Waste Bin
Curbside brush and leaf collections occur only during specific, brief seasonal windows. Outside of these times, residents must transport yard debris directly to the Compost Facility off Post Road.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves (during designated fall weeks)
- ✓Brush (during designated spring/fall runs)
- ✓Christmas trees (in January)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One item per week
Placement
Set your single bulk item out no more than 24 hours in advance of your normal collection day, ensuring it is positioned clear of parked cars and utility poles.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and large chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Household appliances (white goods)
- ✓ Carpeting (must be rolled, taped/tied, and max 6 feet long)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Items too heavy for two people to easily lift
- ✕ Hazardous materials and chemicals
- ✕ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
There is no extra charge or tag required for the standard single bulk item per week, as the service is completely factored into your quarterly municipal utility bill.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a designated holiday falls on or before your standard collection day, trash and recycling services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday collections move to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
The Post Road Compost Facility hours may be adjusted around federal holidays; always verify operational status online before loading your vehicle with brush.
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekend, your standard residential collection schedule typically remains unchanged.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MayA specialized curbside brush collection occurs once each spring. Branches must be properly sized, and exact collection dates are announced annually on the Carlisle Borough website and social media.
Fall
October - NovemberThe Borough coordinates a localized leaf collection program for approximately six weeks in the fall, alongside a single dedicated autumn brush pickup run.
Winter
JanuaryReal Christmas trees are collected curbside for two weeks following the holidays. Ensure all tinsel, ornaments, plastic bags, and metal stands are fully removed before dragging the tree to the curb.
Local Tips & Community Info
Carlisle's Baseline Trash Limit and Tag System
Unlike many neighboring Pennsylvania communities that allow unlimited refuse, the Borough of Carlisle operates under a strict volume-based collection system managed by Waste Connections. Following recent contract updates, the old specific Borough bag requirement was eliminated. Instead, every eligible household is permitted to set out exactly one standard trash bag or one reusable container per week, which is covered by their quarterly utility fee. This single container must not exceed a total weight of 40 pounds. If you host a gathering or simply generate extra household waste, you are not out of luck. You can set out additional bags, but each extra bag must have a prepaid Carlisle Trash Tag prominently attached to it. For the 2026 calendar year, these tags cost $9.92 each and can be purchased online, at Borough Hall on West South Street, or at the Stuart Community Center.
Choosing the Right Curbside Reusable Container
While the Borough provides specific toters for recycling, they do not supply household garbage cans. You have the freedom to select your own vessel, but it must adhere to municipal guidelines. Waste Connections strongly suggests utilizing a 35-gallon heavy-duty plastic or metal container equipped with sturdy handles and a tight-fitting lid to keep pests out. Keep in mind that the strict 40-pound weight limit applies strictly to the contents inside the bin, not the combined weight of the can and the garbage. If you prefer not to purchase a solid container, placing a durable, tear-resistant trash bag directly on the curb is also completely acceptable under the current Borough ordinance.
Single-Stream Recycling Rules
Recycling collection in Carlisle occurs on the exact same day as your weekly garbage pickup. Residents are required to use the designated Borough recycling bins or toters. The local program is particular about what goes into the blue bins. Only plastic bottles and containers stamped with numbers 1, 2, and 5 are accepted, meaning items like plastic grocery bags, styrofoam, and clamshell takeout containers must go in the regular trash. You can freely mix your accepted plastics with aluminum cans, corrugated cardboard broken down to 2x2 feet, and clear or colored glass. Above all, ensure your recyclables are clean, dry, and never bundled inside plastic bags, which jam the regional sorting machinery.
Disposing of Bulk Items and Appliances
If you are clearing out the basement or replacing old furniture, Carlisle offers a generous weekly bulk allowance. Every household is permitted to place one large bulk item, such as a chair, mattress, or broken lamp, at the curb each week alongside their standard trash at no additional cost. However, this rule does not apply to appliances containing refrigerants. Refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners require specialized handling to prevent environmental contamination. To dispose of these freon-bearing items, residents must call the Borough at 717-240-1238 in advance to schedule a dedicated pickup time.
The Post Road Compost Facility and Yard Waste
Managing seasonal landscaping debris in Carlisle does not involve stuffing leaves into your weekly trash can. Instead, the Borough operates a dedicated Compost Facility located off Post Road. This site allows locals to drop off branches, brush, and leaves year-round. The collected organic material is then processed into rich mulch, which is available for residents to use in their own garden beds. In addition to the drop-off site, the Borough coordinates seasonal curbside services, including a six-week leaf vacuuming program in the autumn, specialized brush collections in the spring and fall, and a post-holiday Christmas tree pickup route in January.
Drop-off Facilities
Carlisle Borough Compost Facility
Post Road, Carlisle, PA 17013
Materials Accepted
Carlisle Borough Hall
53 West South Street, Carlisle, PA 17013
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bags of trash can I put out each week in Carlisle?
You are allowed one 40-pound container or bag per week as part of your standard service. Any additional bags must have a prepaid Borough Trash Tag attached, which costs $9.92 for the 2026 calendar year.
Do I have to buy a specific Borough trash can?
No, you have the flexibility to use your own 35-gallon container with a tight-fitting lid, or you can simply use a heavy-duty trash bag.
How do I dispose of yard waste in the borough?
Residents can utilize the Borough compost facility on Post Road year-round for leaves and brush. Additionally, there are seasonal curbside leaf and brush collections scheduled in the spring and fall.