Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Chambersburg
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.
Resident-provided Bin (Trash)
Place your organized trash at the designated curbside spot adjacent to your home on your scheduled day. Be aware that leaving a disorganized mess of trash in the right-of-way can result in a steep $190 per hour municipal cleanup fee.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
Borough-provided Green Container Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed completely loose in the provided green container—never bag them. Ensure all food and beverage containers are completely rinsed and free of food particles. Place the bin out on the same day as your trash.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and steel/bi-metal cans
- ✓Clear, green, and brown glass bottles
- ✓Plastics #1 through #7
- ✓Flattened cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Office paper and newspaper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic supermarket bags or film
- ✕Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Medical needles or syringes
- ✕Lithium batteries
- ✕Window or mirror glass
Yard Waste Bin
Do not put yard waste in your green recycling bin. Use the Green Yard Waste Recycling Center for year-round brush. The Borough will conduct specialized curbside leaf collections in late fall and Christmas tree pickups in January.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Shrubbery
- ✓Tree trimmings
- ✓Garden residue
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Twice per year (Drop-off only)
Placement
You cannot leave bulky items at the curb. You must physically transport them to the municipal drop-off location during the designated event hours in April and September.
Accepted
- ✓ Large furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Standard bulky household junk
- ✓ E-waste (Accepted ONLY during a specific 3-day window in September)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Lithium batteries
- ✕ Regular household garbage
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals
- ✕ Contractor or commercial waste
The bulky item drop-off events are a free service provided exclusively to Borough of Chambersburg utility residents.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a major observed holiday falls on your scheduled collection day, trash and recycling services are typically delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
The Green Yard Waste Recycling Center operates on a set schedule and officially shuts down for the winter season on the third Saturday in November.
Because Chambersburg operates its own municipal utility, residents should always refer directly to the Borough's calendar or call 717-261-3213 to confirm exact holiday route shifts.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Ditch the Plastic Supermarket Bags
Never put your recyclables inside a plastic trash bag, and never toss loose grocery bags into your green bin. Film plastics tangle around the gears at the sorting facility. You should return grocery bags to the vestibules of local supermarkets.
Rinse Out Every Crumb
Chambersburg's single-stream system requires that all food and beverage containers, including glass jars and plastic tubs, be completely rinsed and free of any food particles or liquids before being placed in the bin to prevent mold and contamination.
Keep Medical Waste and Batteries Out
Never place medical needles, syringes, or lithium batteries in the recycling container. These items pose severe safety and fire hazards to the Borough sanitation employees and the trucks they operate.
Seasonal Information
Spring
AprilThe Green Yard Waste Recycling Center on West Commerce Street officially opens for the season on the first Tuesday in April. Additionally, the Borough's first week-long Bulky Item drop-off event takes place in mid-to-late April.
Fall
September - NovemberSeptember is a busy month, featuring a specialized 3-day E-Waste drop-off window followed by the fall Bulky Item drop-off week. By late fall, the Borough transitions to its specialized curbside leaf collection program.
Winter
JanuaryDo not throw your real Christmas tree in the regular trash. The Borough schedules a dedicated curbside Christmas tree pickup for residents every January. Ensure all lights and ornaments are fully removed.
About Chambersburg Waste Management
Exclusive Municipal Sanitation Services in Chambersburg
Unlike many surrounding townships that rely on private subscriptions, the Borough of Chambersburg is one of the few Pennsylvania municipalities that operates an exclusive, in-house trash and recycling utility for all residents. By managing the fleet directly, the Borough ensures consistent weekly curbside service. Two distinct Borough trucks visit your property on collection day: one dedicated to household refuse and another for your recyclables. New residents must call 717-264-5151 to establish their mandatory utility service.
Mastering Single-Stream Recycling
Chambersburg utilizes a convenient single-stream recycling system, meaning residents do not need to separate paper, plastics, and metals into different bins. Everything accepted by the program goes directly into your Borough-provided green recycling container. However, the rules for what goes inside are strict to avoid contamination: absolutely no plastic supermarket bags, styrofoam, or food waste are permitted. Furthermore, all glass, metal, and plastic containers must be thoroughly rinsed before they hit the bin.
The Twice-a-Year Bulky Item Drop-Off
If you are moving in or cleaning out a garage, take note: Chambersburg does not provide a weekly curbside bulk trash pickup. Instead, the Borough hosts a highly organized, twice-per-year Bulky Item drop-off program. These week-long events traditionally take place in April and September. Residents must hold onto their large furniture, mattresses, and scrap metal until these specific windows, transporting the items directly to the designated municipal drop-off location.
Utilizing the Green Yard Waste Recycling Center
Yard debris like grass clippings, shrubbery, and tree trimmings should never be mixed into your regular trash or green recycling bin. To handle organic waste, the Borough operates the Green Yard Waste Recycling Center at 491 West Commerce Street. Open from April through mid-November, the facility provides a responsible disposal route for local homeowners. Interestingly, neighboring Hamilton Township residents can also purchase a $20 annual access card from their supervisors' office to utilize this Borough facility.
Drop-off Facilities
Borough of Chambersburg Green Yard Waste Recycling Center
491 West Commerce Street, Chambersburg, PA
Materials Accepted
Harry Rotz Landscaping/Composting Facility
5948 Rice Road, Chambersburg, PA 17201
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who picks up my trash and recycling in Chambersburg?
The Borough of Chambersburg Sanitation Department is the exclusive solid waste collection service for all residents and businesses within the borough limits. You do not need to hire a private hauler. Two different Borough trucks will visit your home weekly—one for trash and one for recycling.
Can I put large furniture or mattresses on the curb for pickup?
No, Chambersburg does not offer weekly curbside bulk pickup. Residents must hold onto large items and utilize the Borough's twice-per-year Bulky Item drop-off program, which typically takes place over one week in April and one week in September.
Where can I get rid of an old TV or computer?
Electronic waste (e-waste) cannot go in your regular trash. The Borough holds a dedicated E-Waste drop-off event for exactly three days every September where each household is permitted to safely drop off up to two electronic items.
How do I dispose of tree branches and yard waste?
Yard waste cannot go in your green recycling bin or standard trash. Residents should transport green yard waste to the Borough's recycling center on West Commerce Street, which is open Tuesday through Saturday from April until mid-November.