Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Derry Township
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.
Standard WM Cart (Green with lid) or Township Green Bags Bin (Trash)
All trash must be bagged and fit inside the 96-gallon WM cart with the lid completely closed, or placed in official Pay-as-you-go green bags purchased from the Township. Carts must be curbside by 5:00 a.m. with wheels against the curb.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Chip bags
- ✓Paper towels
- ✓Standard household trash
- ✓Lightly used textiles
Standard WM Recycling Cart Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed loose in the cart without plastic bags. Curbside collection is performed once a week by area, typically on Thursdays and Fridays.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics 1 & 2
- ✓Aluminum cans
- ✓Steel and tin cans
- ✓Empty aerosol cans
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Newspapers and magazines
- ✓Junk mail
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass of any kind
- ✕Plastics 3-7
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Household hazardous waste
- ✕Tires and auto parts
- ✕Medical or electronic waste
- ✕Construction waste
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste is typically managed through seasonal WM collections or residential burning (allowed Tue/Thu/Sat from 10am-5pm). Grass clippings must never be blown into storm drains or ditches.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush
- ✓Tree limbs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On Demand
Placement
Place your scheduled bulk item at least three feet away from your standard trash cart and away from mailboxes or vehicles.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Large non-freon household items
- ✓ Mattresses
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions
- ✕ Computers
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Auto parts
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Construction debris
Additional fees generally apply for curbside bulk collection. However, residents can hold onto electronics and certain bulky items for the Township's free annual Community Cleanup Days.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a designated holiday falls on a weekday on or before your scheduled collection day, service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Special seasonal yard waste pickups may follow independent dates; always refer to WM's annual yard waste postcard schedule.
Even during holiday weeks, all containers must be placed at the curb by 5:00 a.m. on the adjusted collection day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Absolutely No Glass at the Curb
Glass breaks during transit and contaminates paper bales. Do not put glass in your WM recycling cart. Take rinsed glass bottles to the Westmoreland Cleanways facility instead.
Check Your Plastic Numbers
Only plastics stamped with a #1 or #2 inside the recycling triangle are accepted. Butter tubs, yogurt containers, and clamshells (usually #3-7) must go in the regular garbage.
Keep It Loose, Don't Bag It
Never put your recyclables inside a plastic garbage bag. The sorting facilities cannot process them, and bagged recyclables are treated as standard trash and sent to the landfill.
Seasonal Information
Spring/Summer
May to SeptemberDuring mowing season, ensure your grass is cut no lower than 3 inches to promote healthy runoff. Never blow grass clippings into the street, as it clogs the municipal stormwater drains.
Fall
October to NovemberIf you choose to burn fall leaf and brush waste, remember that fires are only permitted on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and must be completely extinguished by 5:00 p.m. Holiday burning is prohibited.
Winter
December to MarchDuring snowstorms, do not park along township roads. When placing your WM carts out for collection, clear a spot on your driveway or curb and keep the bins at least three feet from snow mounds so the automated trucks can reach them.
About Derry Township Waste Management
Flexible Trash Options: Carts vs. Pay-As-You-Go
Waste disposal in Derry Township is managed by Waste Management (WM), offering residents customizable service levels. Standard service includes a 96-gallon cart for weekly automated collection. However, for households that generate minimal waste, the township supports a unique 'Pay-as-you-go' program. Residents can opt out of the large cart and instead pre-purchase specially marked green trash bags directly from the Derry Township municipal building. This flexibility ensures that single-person households or aggressive recyclers aren't overpaying for unused garbage capacity.
Strict Curbside Recycling Limits
Following major overhauls in the global recycling market, Derry Township's curbside recycling rules have become much more stringent. WM collects recyclables on a 'Once a Week Service' schedule, typically on Thursdays and Fridays. Currently, only plastics #1 and #2, metal cans (aluminum, steel, tin, and empty aerosols), flattened cardboard, and paper products are allowed. All materials must be placed loose in the recycling container; any items enclosed in plastic bags will cause the entire bin to be flagged as contaminated.
Handling Glass and Drop-Off Alternatives
Glass is strictly prohibited from curbside recycling carts in Derry Township. To prevent recyclable glass from ending up in the landfill, residents are encouraged to utilize the Westmoreland Cleanways center in nearby Latrobe. The facility accepts glass bottles and jars as long as metal lids are removed, containers are rinsed of food residue, and the glass is separated by color. Additionally, while the township building no longer accepts plastic or cans in its rear dumpsters, there are still bins in the front parking lot dedicated solely to paper drop-offs.
Property Maintenance and Burning Regulations
Derry Township maintains specific ordinances regarding yard waste and property maintenance. Blowing grass clippings into storm drains or roadside ditches is strictly forbidden, as it damages the township's stormwater management infrastructure. For those looking to dispose of brush, branches, and tree limbs, residential burning is permitted exclusively on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Fires must be contained in a receptacle no larger than a 55-gallon drum, kept at least 50 feet from structures, and never left unattended.
Community Cleanup Days
Because bulky items and electronic waste cannot be placed in standard curbside carts, Derry Township frequently coordinates free Community Cleanup Days at the municipal building. These events are the perfect opportunity for residents to responsibly dispose of computers, TVs, old cell phones, and printers at no additional charge. For bulk items outside of these events, residents must contact WM directly to request and pay for a specialized bulk item pickup.
Drop-off Facilities
Westmoreland Cleanways Recycling Center
113 Innovative Lane, Building F, Latrobe, PA 15650
Materials Accepted
Derry Township Municipal Building Paper Bins
5321 Route 982, Derry, PA 15627
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 'Pay-as-you-go' trash bag system work in Derry Township?
Residents who produce very little garbage can opt out of the large 96-gallon weekly cart. Instead, you can purchase official green 'Pay-as-you-go' trash bags directly from the Derry Township building. You only pay for the waste you generate when you place those specific bags at the curb.
Why didn't WM empty my recycling cart with glass inside?
Glass is strictly prohibited in Derry Township curbside recycling carts because it shatters and contaminates other recyclables. You must take your rinsed glass bottles and jars (with metal lids removed) to the Westmoreland Cleanways drop-off center in Latrobe.
Am I allowed to burn tree branches on my property?
Yes, but with strict limitations. Burning yard waste like brush, branches, and paper is only permitted on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You cannot burn on holidays, you must use a container no larger than a 55-gallon drum, and the fire must be at least 50 feet from any structure.
How do I throw away an old television or computer in Derry Township?
Electronic waste cannot be placed in your regular trash. You must either wait for one of the Township's Free Community Cleanup Days, or drop the electronics off at the Westmoreland Cleanways Recycling Center.