Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for East Hempfield
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood route
Recycling
Weekly on the same day as regular trash collection
Yard Waste
Weekly on your regular trash collection day from early April through late October
Set Out Time
Place containers curbside the night before your scheduled collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and recycling are billed quarterly by the Township. Payments can be made online or mailed to the bank lockbox, but are not accepted in person at the Township Building.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, E-Check
Any standard container or 64/96-gallon Casella Toter Bin (Trash)
Strict limit of three (3) 32-gallon bags/cans per week (or one large toter). Any bags beyond the 3-bag limit must have a $3.00 yellow extra service tag attached.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
Green bin Bin (Recycling)
Commingled recycling. Place clean, loose recyclables in your bin without plastic bags. Ensure cardboard boxes are completely free of grease or food remnants.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (with necks only)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Clear, green, and brown glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Ceramics and dishes
- ✕Window glass and light bulbs
- ✕Toys and plastic buckets
- ✕Paperboard (cereal boxes) and junk mail
Yard Waste Bin
Soft waste must be in recyclable bags (max 30 lbs, unlimited bags per week). Limbs and branches must be tied with biodegradable twine (max 4 feet long, max 30 lbs).
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Garden residue
- ✓Tree limbs (under 6 inches in diameter)
- ✓Bush clippings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Up to two oversized items per week
Placement
Every oversized item MUST have a visible $10 red tag attached, which can be purchased in advance at the Township office.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Bicycles
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Carpets (rolled and tied, 6ft max length)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction materials
- ✕ Electronics (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, oil)
- ✕ Propane tanks
A $10 red tag is strictly required for each bulk/oversized item. Un-tagged items will not be collected by Casella.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a Casella-observed holiday falls on or before your regular trash pickup day, your service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the same one-day delay rule during holiday weeks within the active April through October season.
If Independence Day or another major holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is usually no delay in the weekday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring & Summer
April - OctoberThe dedicated yard waste collection season begins in early April and runs through late October. During this period, Casella collects properly bagged soft yard waste and tied bundles of limbs on your normal collection day.
Autumn
Mid-October - Mid-DecemberCurbside leaf collection routes run heavily throughout the township. Check the East Hempfield Township zone map to find your specific leaf route dates, and keep leaf piles free of sticks and debris to prevent damage to the vacuum trucks.
Winter
First Week of JanuaryCasella operates a special Christmas tree pickup typically during the first week of January. Ensure all tinsel, ornaments, and plastic tree bags are completely removed before placing your tree at the curb.
Local Tips & Community Info
Contracted Refuse Services with Casella
In East Hempfield Township, residential garbage and recycling logistics are outsourced to Casella Waste Systems, Inc. Keeping the local community clean requires residents to closely follow the township's sanitation ordinance. Routine household trash is collected weekly, and homeowners must place all loose garbage into plastic bags before depositing it into their exterior bins. The municipality enforces a standard collection limit, permitting a maximum of three 32-gallon trash cans or bags per household each week. Additionally, no single container may exceed a weight of 30 pounds to ensure the safety of the hauling crews.
Handling Extra Garbage and Service Tags
There will inevitably be weeks when your household generates more refuse than the standard three-container allowance. East Hempfield accommodates this overflow through a pre-paid tag system. For every extra 32-gallon bag or bin beyond your initial three, you are required to attach a yellow Extra Service Tag. These yellow tags cost $3.00 each and must be purchased directly from the Township municipal office or requested by mail. Casella drivers are strictly instructed to leave behind any extra, untagged garbage.
Recycling Procedures and Wind Management
The township provides green recycling bins to encourage the diversion of reusable materials from local landfills. When disposing of recyclable goods, residents are urged to flatten all plastic jugs and break down cardboard boxes to maximize bin space. Because strong winds frequently blow loose items down the street, residents are held fully responsible for cleaning up any scattered recyclables originating from their property. If you have an overflow of recyclables that will not fit in the green bin, you may safely place them in a clear plastic bag directly on top of the container.
Bulk Items and Prohibited Construction Debris
Discarding large household items such as worn-out couches or broken appliances requires a different procedure than standard bagged trash. Residents must arrange for bulky item retrieval by contacting Casella directly to confirm the scheduling and determine if any additional freight fees apply. It is important to note that construction and demolition materials—such as lumber, drywall, and heavy brick—are strictly prohibited from residential curbside pickup. Homeowners undertaking renovations must hire a private dumpster service or haul the materials to a commercial landfill.
Yard Waste Collection Logistics
During peak growing seasons, organic debris can quickly pile up around your property. East Hempfield provides seasonal yard waste collection, provided the materials are prepared correctly. Leaves and small trimmings must be placed in designated biodegradable yard waste bags. Unlike the yellow extra garbage tags, the municipal office does not allow residents to purchase yard waste bags via mail; they must be acquired locally. Brush and thick branches should be neatly bundled and tied to prevent them from obstructing the sidewalks.
Reporting Missed Pickups and Hauler Issues
If you properly packaged your refuse, applied any necessary yellow tags, and positioned your bins out the night before collection, yet your property was still bypassed, you should immediately report the oversight. The Township administration does not handle dispatching; therefore, residents must contact Casella Waste Systems customer service at 717-949-2363. Occasionally, the hauler will leave an explanatory sticker on a bin detailing why a specific item was rejected, such as excessive weight or unauthorized materials.
Drop-off Facilities
LCSWMA Hazardous Waste Disposal (Harrisburg Pike Transfer Station)
1299 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17603
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weekly garbage limit for East Hempfield residents?
Each household is permitted up to three 32-gallon trash bags or cans per week. Each individual container must not weigh more than 30 pounds.
How do I throw away extra trash if I exceed the limit?
You must attach a yellow Extra Service Tag to any garbage bag or can beyond the three-item limit. These tags cost $3.00 and can be purchased at the Township office.
Who should I call if my trash or recycling was not collected?
For missed pickups or collection issues, residents must call the township's contracted hauler, Casella Waste Systems, directly at 717-949-2363.