Got Extra Junk or Bulky Items?
Missed trash day? Get fast, eco-friendly junk removal. No hidden fees!
Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Erie
Trash Day
Sunday through Thursday nights (assigned by neighborhood zone)
Recycling
Weekly on the same night as regular trash collection
Yard Waste
Seasonal collection from spring through early December (designated Mondays and seasonal leaf collection)
Set Out Time
Curbside on your scheduled evening (no earlier than 24 hours prior to collection)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential refuse fees are billed quarterly alongside water and sewer services through Erie Water Works.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In Person
Any standard color or bags Bin (Trash)
All household refuse must be in bags or cans. Do not place items on the curb more than 24 hours prior to your scheduled collection day per City code.
Accepted Items
- ✓Regular household refuse
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and caps
Blue bin or clear plastic bag Bin (Recycling)
Blue bins are not provided by the city. Recyclables must be clearly visible. If a bag is contaminated with trash or food, the entire batch will be treated as garbage.
Accepted Items
- ✓Newspaper, office paper, and magazines
- ✓Junk mail (larger than 2x2 inches, no plastic windows)
- ✓Plastic #1 and #2 bottles, jugs, and jars with screw-top lids
- ✓Shredded paper (must be sealed in its own separate clear bag)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Blue-tinted recycling bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Clam shells and food take-out containers
- ✕Plastic caps and lids
- ✕Plastics #3 through #7
Yard Waste Bin
Must be in an open hard container (50 lb limit) or a brown paper bag labeled 'Lawn & Leaf'. Plastic bags are prohibited. Large branches must be bundled and placed out with regular trash.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Hedge and shrub trimmings
- ✓Garden clippings
- ✓Leaves
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By appointment only (limit of up to 3 bulky items per scheduled pickup)
Placement
Items must be placed curbside on the night of your scheduled pickup. Glass must be removed from furniture, placed in a box, and explicitly labeled 'GLASS'. Do not block parked vehicles.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches, chairs, and tables
- ✓ Dressers and household furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Carpet (must be cut into 4-foot sections, rolled and tied; maximum of 4 rolls per pickup)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Large appliances (washers, dryers, refrigerators)
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
- ✕ Electronic devices (televisions, computers, monitors)
- ✕ Construction materials (wood, drywall, tile)
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
This is a free service provided exclusively to residential refuse customers of the City of Erie, but failure to secure a confirmation number can result in illegal dumping citations.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a major holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling pickups are delayed by one day for the rest of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Compost collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as refuse during the active season (March to December).
Residents are encouraged to consult the annual City of Erie Calendar and Recycling Guide for exact holiday delay dates affecting the Bureau of Refuse.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryErie's compost and yard waste collection officially halts in early December and remains suspended until early March. During intense winter snow squalls off Lake Erie, the Bureau of Streets relies on strict snow emergency parking rules (odd-even parking) to plow efficiently, which can occasionally impact the timing of neighborhood trash collections.
Spring
March to MayThe City of Erie Compost Season typically kicks off during the second week of March. As spring cleaning begins, residents should keep an eye out for the city's annual free tire and electronics drop-off events, typically held at the Municipal Garage Complex in May.
Holidays
Year-RoundWhen a major city-observed holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling collection is typically delayed by one day for the remainder of the week (e.g., Wednesday pickup shifts to Thursday). The compost collection schedule follows this same delay rule during its active season.
Local Tips & Community Info
Household Waste Collection in Erie
Keeping the neighborhoods of Erie clean requires everyone to follow the local refuse collection schedule. The city divides household garbage pickup into designated zones ranging from Sunday through Thursday nights. To ensure your trash is collected, place your items curbside on your specific collection night. According to local regulations, residents should not put any materials out more than 24 hours before their scheduled time. Whether you live downtown or closer to Presque Isle, knowing your specific zone map is essential for seamless weekly service.
Container Specifications and Limits
When preparing your weekly garbage, it is vital to adhere to the city's size and weight restrictions. All household refuse must be securely bagged or placed inside rigid trash containers. These bins cannot exceed 35 gallons in capacity and must weigh less than 50 pounds when fully loaded. Overloaded or excessively large bins may be left behind by sanitation workers to prevent injury. Additionally, it is important to remember that construction debris, loose problem materials, and hazardous waste are strictly prohibited from normal weekly disposal.
Navigating Curbside Recycling
The City of Erie operates a straightforward curbside recycling program that runs on the exact same night as your regular refuse collection. However, strict rules apply to how you present these materials. Erie no longer accepts blue plastic bags. Instead, you must use clear plastic bags or hard-sided blue bins, which can easily be purchased at most local hardware stores since the municipality does not provide them. Always place your recyclables visibly apart from your standard garbage so the crews can easily identify them, and never mix standard trash with recyclable goods.
Scheduling Large and Bulky Item Removal
If you need to dispose of a couch, mattress, dresser, or similar household furniture, the city offers a fantastic free bulky item pickup service. You cannot simply leave these oversized objects on the curb. Residents must schedule an appointment by calling 814-870-1550 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, or by utilizing the city's official portal. Once scheduled, you will receive a mandatory six-digit confirmation number. Be aware that demand is often high, so your assigned removal date might be up to two weeks out.
Fall Leaf Management and Composting
Autumn in Northwestern Pennsylvania brings beautiful foliage, but it also means dealing with fallen leaves. From early October through early December, Erie conducts a special leaf collection program. Homeowners must use pale green, compostable bags that meet ASTM D6400 standards or opt for open, hard compost containers. Raking leaves directly into the street is strictly forbidden, as it blocks storm drains and creates slippery, dangerous driving conditions. Never mix standard refuse or pet waste into your leaf bags.
Drop-off Facilities
Pro Waste Separated Drop-Off
813 East 18th Street, Erie, PA 16503
Materials Accepted
City of Erie Municipal Garage Complex (Special Events Only)
1926 Holland St., Erie, PA 16503
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of recycling containers does the City of Erie require?
Erie requires residents to use clear plastic bags or blue bins. The city does not supply the blue bins, but they are available at local hardware stores. Blue bags are no longer permitted.
How do I throw away large furniture like a mattress?
You must schedule a bulk pickup by calling 814-870-1550 or booking online. You will be given a six-digit confirmation number, and your pickup may be scheduled up to two weeks in advance.
Can I rake my autumn leaves into the street?
Absolutely not. Raking leaves into city streets creates hazards for vehicles and pedestrians while clogging storm drains. You must use approved compostable green bags or hard containers.