Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Dover
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.
Penn Waste provided mobile cart Bin (Trash)
Trash must fit inside the provided mobile cart and weigh no more than 60 lbs. Place carts at the curb by 6:00 AM. Extra bags may require a paid sticker or fee.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Penn Waste provided mobile cart Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recyclables. Leave them loose in the cart. Flatten all cardboard boxes so they lay completely flat inside the toter to save space.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic containers (#1-#7)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Medical waste
- ✕Batteries
- ✕Propane tanks
Yard Waste Bin
Heavy brush must be taken to the Municipal Road drop-off site. You must purchase a $15 per-load permit in advance. The site is open only on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays (7 AM - 4 PM).
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush
- ✓Tree trimmings
- ✓Branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One large item per week
Placement
Place your single large item next to your mobile cart at the curb by 6:00 AM on your designated collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Couches and chairs
- ✓ Small furniture
- ✓ Appliances (without Freon)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Items too heavy for two people to lift
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals
While standard bulk items are free, you must call Penn Waste to schedule and potentially pay a fee for appliances containing Freon.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized Penn Waste holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of the week will be delayed by one day, finishing with Friday routes collected on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
The brush drop-off site operates strictly on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays, so its schedule is typically unaffected by major weekday holidays.
If a holiday falls on a weekend (Saturday or Sunday), there are no delays or changes to the collection schedule prior to or after the holiday.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Leave Out the Plastic Grocery Bags
Never place plastic shopping bags or dry cleaning film in your recycling cart. These flexible plastics wrap tightly around the sorting gears at Penn Waste's recycling facility, causing severe damage and daily machinery shutdowns.
Watch the Weight Limit
Whether you are putting out your mobile cart or utilizing approved excess trash bags, ensure no single container or bag exceeds 60 pounds. Overweight containers pose a lifting hazard and will be left on the curb.
Keep Lithium Batteries Out
Rechargeable batteries found in laptops, cell phones, and power tools should never be thrown into your trash or recycling. They can easily spark when crushed in the back of a garbage truck, leading to dangerous vehicle fires.
Seasonal Information
Winter
JanuaryPenn Waste provides dedicated curbside Christmas tree collection for Dover residents on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of January. Ensure all lights, ornaments, and plastic tree bags are fully removed before placing the tree at the curb.
Spring/Summer
April - SeptemberHeavy spring pruning and summer storm debris can be disposed of at the Dover brush drop-off site. Remember to purchase your $15 per-load permit at the Township building during the week before you arrive on a designated Saturday.
Fall
October - DecemberGrass clippings are strongly discouraged from both your trash and yard waste collections. During the fall, Dover encourages 'grasscycling' and mulching your leaves with a mower to provide natural nitrogen and moisture back into your lawn.
About Dover Waste Management
Understanding Dover's Partnership with Penn Waste
Residential trash and recycling services in the Dover community are exclusively managed through a municipal contract with Penn Waste. Collections run Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood's route. Residents are equipped with heavy-duty mobile carts for their household waste, and everything must fit inside. If you generate more refuse than your cart can hold, extra bags are permitted but may incur an additional fee. All containers must be wheeled to the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection day to guarantee pickup.
The 2nd and 4th Saturday Brush Drop-Off Facility
Instead of relying solely on weekly curbside yard waste pickup, Dover offers residents access to a specialized brush drop-off site located on Municipal Road, directly behind the Township building. This facility is strictly open on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. To utilize this service, you cannot simply show up with a truck full of branches. You must pre-purchase a $15 permit per load from the municipal office and present it alongside your driver's license upon arrival.
Disposing of Heavy Furniture and Freon Appliances
Are you replacing an old mattress or clearing out a basement? Penn Waste allows Dover residents to place one large bulk item at the curb each week alongside their regular garbage. However, the item must be manageable enough for two sanitation workers to lift. If you need to dispose of an appliance containing Freon, such as a refrigerator, freezer, or air conditioner, you are required to call Penn Waste in advance to schedule a specialized pickup and ensure proper environmental handling.
Banned Materials and Construction Debris Rules
It is critical to note that no construction or demolition debris will be collected curbside in Dover. Materials like drywall, lumber, roofing shingles, and brick must be hauled away via a rented roll-off dumpster or taken directly to the York County Solid Waste Authority. Additionally, pressurized tanks, such as propane cylinders or oxygen tanks, and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are strictly prohibited from both your trash and recycling carts due to the extreme fire hazard they pose inside compaction trucks.
Drop-off Facilities
Dover Brush Drop-Off Site
Municipal Road (behind the Dover Township Building), Dover, PA 17315
Materials Accepted
York County Solid Waste Authority (Resource Recovery Center)
2651 Blackbridge Road, York, PA 17406
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides trash and recycling service in Dover, PA?
Residential waste collection in Dover Township and Dover Borough is exclusively contracted through Penn Waste. Residents are provided with mobile carts and receive weekly curbside pickups.
Where can I dispose of branches and brush in Dover?
Dover operates a brush drop-off site on Municipal Road, behind the Township building. It is open on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You must purchase a $15 permit per load from the Township office before dropping off.
How do I get rid of an old refrigerator or air conditioner?
While Penn Waste allows one free bulk item per week, appliances containing Freon are an exception. You must call Penn Waste customer service at 717-767-4456 to schedule a special pickup for these appliances.
Can I put construction materials in my Penn Waste trash cart?
No. Construction and demolition debris, such as roofing shingles, drywall, concrete, and lumber, will not be collected curbside. You will need to rent a roll-off dumpster or take the materials to the York County Solid Waste Authority on Blackbridge Road.