Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for East Pennsboro 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.
Waste Management issued cart Bin (Trash)
All trash must be bagged and fit completely inside the WM cart with the lid tightly closed. Carts should be placed 3 feet apart at the curb. Non-WM receptacles and excess bags on the ground will not be serviced.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Bagged trash
Waste Management issued recycling cart Bin (Recycling)
Place recyclables loosely in the designated cart (do not bag them). Keep the cart at least 3 feet away from your trash bin, parked cars, or mailboxes to allow clearance for the truck's automated arm.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic and paper to-go cups
- ✓Clean plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Paper, junk mail, and flattened cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Electronic waste (e-waste)
- ✕Food or liquid residue
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in biodegradable paper bags or open containers. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited. Grass clippings, rocks, and dirt are not accepted.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Shrub trimmings
- ✓Small branches
- ✓Larger branches (under 6 feet long and 6 inches in diameter, bundled with twine)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once a week on your regular trash collection day, by appointment only.
Placement
After scheduling with WM, place the item at the curb at least 3 feet away from your automated carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Appliances
- ✓ Mattresses (must be completely wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Box springs (must be completely wrapped in plastic)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Construction materials
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Auto parts
- ✕ Hazardous waste
The cost of one weekly bulk item is included in your $111.55 quarterly residential trash fee, but failing to call 800-634-4595 to schedule it will result in the item being left behind.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, all collections for the remainder of the week are pushed back by one day (e.g., Thursday service moves to Friday). If the holiday falls on a weekend, there are no delays.
Yard Waste Exception
If a holiday falls on a Friday during mulch delivery season, the Township will deliver your scheduled compost/tanbark on the Thursday prior.
Always check the Township website or the WM portal for official holiday schedule shifts.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Grass Clippings on the Lawn
East Pennsboro Township explicitly prohibits grass clippings, dirt, and rocks in both the curbside yard waste collection and at the local drop-off facility. You should utilize grasscycling or a backyard compost bin instead.
Never Bag Your Recyclables
While your regular garbage must be bagged to keep the WM cart clean, your recyclables must remain loose. Plastic garbage bags get tangled in the sorting facility's gears and can ruin an entire batch of viable recycling.
Keep Lids Tightly Closed
Do not overstuff your carts. The automated trucks require the lids to be completely closed to prevent spillage onto the street when lifting. If your cart is constantly overflowing, you must apply for an additional cart through the Township Office.
Seasonal Information
Spring through Fall
April to NovemberThe Township's Yard Waste Facility is open seven days a week from 7:00 AM to dusk. It is strictly for residential use (no contractors). Free self-serve mulch and compost are available during these months.
Winter
December to MarchExpect potential weather-related delays. If a snow emergency interrupts your scheduled collection day, leave your cart at the curb; crews will generally collect it the next safe operating day.
Spring/Summer
April to SeptemberResidents can schedule Friday driveway deliveries of tanbark or leaf compost for $75. Orders must be placed Monday through Thursday at the Municipal Building. Deliveries are capped at 10 per week.
About East Pennsboro Township Waste Management
Understanding East Pennsboro's Automated Cart System
East Pennsboro Township partners exclusively with Waste Management (WM) to provide a streamlined, automated curbside collection program. Every residential unit is required to use designated WM carts—available in 96, 64, or 32-gallon sizes—for both trash and single-stream recycling. Because the collection trucks utilize mechanical arms, residents are strictly instructed to place all waste inside the containers with the lids fully closed. Any loose bags left sitting on the ground next to or stacked on top of your cart will be completely ignored by the hauler.
The Mandatory Rule for Weekly Bulk Item Collection
Unlike some Cumberland County municipalities where you can simply drag a heavy item to the curb on trash day, East Pennsboro requires a proactive step. While residents are generously allowed one bulk item per week at no extra charge, you absolutely must schedule the pickup in advance. To ensure the proper truck is dispatched, you have to call Waste Management directly at 800-634-4595 or use their online portal to log your item before your scheduled collection day.
Exclusive Yard Waste Facility and Mulch Delivery Perks
Beyond curbside yard waste collections, East Pennsboro residents have access to a dedicated Township Yard Waste Facility that operates daily from dawn to dusk between April and late November. Not only can you drop off excess branches and leaves, but residents can also self-load free compost and tanbark. For ultimate convenience, the Public Works department even offers Friday driveway deliveries of mulch and leaf compost for a flat $75 fee, provided you submit an order form earlier in the week.
Navigating Central PA Winter Weather Delays
Snow is a frequent hurdle for waste operations in Central Pennsylvania. During severe winter weather, WM may temporarily suspend or delay collection routes in East Pennsboro for safety reasons. If your street is skipped during a storm, the hauler typically attempts to return the following day, which pushes the remainder of the week's schedule back. The Township strongly advises residents to monitor their official website, Facebook page, or sign up for SMS text alerts to stay updated on sudden weather-related cancellations.
Drop-off Facilities
East Pennsboro Yard Waste Facility
Contact Township for exact access point (requires Yard Waste Card)
Materials Accepted
Cumberland County Electronics Recycling Center
1001 Claremont Road, Carlisle, PA 17015
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave extra trash bags next to my Waste Management cart?
No. The automated trucks cannot pick up loose bags left on the ground or placed on top of the container. All trash must fit inside the cart with the lid closed. If you frequently have excess trash, you can submit an application to the Township for an additional cart, which carries an extra annual fee.
How do I dispose of a mattress in East Pennsboro Township?
You can dispose of a mattress as your one weekly bulk item, but you must take two specific steps: First, call Waste Management at 800-634-4595 to schedule the pickup. Second, you must completely wrap the mattress and box spring in plastic before placing them at the curb.
Does the 3-foot cart spacing rule apply to tight neighborhoods with street parking?
Generally, yes; WM asks for 3 feet of clearance to allow the mechanical arm to safely grab the cart. However, the Township waives this strict spacing requirement for high-density areas with heavy on-street parking, such as Enola Drive, Columbia Road, Dauphin Street, and parts of West Fairview.
How do I recycle an old television or laptop?
Under the Pennsylvania Covered Devices Recycling Act, you cannot throw electronic waste in your residential trash or bulk pickup. You must take televisions, computers, and related peripherals to a designated e-waste drop-off site, such as the Cumberland County Electronics Recycling Center in Carlisle.