Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Falls 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.
Green Cart with Green Lid Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be securely bagged before being placed inside the green cart with the green lid. Set the cart at the curb after 6:00 p.m. the night before, but no later than 6:00 a.m. on collection day. Keep it 3 feet away from your recycling cart and obstructions.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Soiled paper and wrappers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Green Cart with Yellow Lid Bin (Recycling)
All recyclable items must be placed loose inside the green cart with the yellow lid. Absolutely no plastic bags are permitted. Glass and plastic containers must be rinsed, and all lids must be removed and placed in the regular trash.
Accepted Items
- ✓Rigid plastic containers (#1-#7)
- ✓Clear, green, and brown glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum, steel, and tin cans
- ✓Newspaper, office paper, and cardboard
- ✓Cereal and cracker boxes
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Blue glass
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Hazardous waste
- ✕Heavily soiled items
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste cannot be placed in your weekly recycling cart. Falls Township offers dedicated, seasonal collection events, including an annual Spring Yard Waste Cleanup, a targeted Fall Leaf Collection schedule, and post-holiday Christmas tree pickups. Check the township website for exact yearly dates.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves (during fall collection)
- ✓Yard debris (during spring cleanup)
- ✓Christmas trees (seasonal pickup)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Pre-scheduled via Waste Management, plus annual Free Bulk Disposal Day.
Placement
Place approved, pre-scheduled bulk items alongside your regular trash cart by 6:00 a.m. on your designated pickup day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large appliances
- ✓ Carpet (cut to 4x4 bundles and tied)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions and computers
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paints and solvents
- ✕ Auto fluids
Extra bulk items and Freon appliances (AC units, refrigerators, dehumidifiers) require you to call WM at 800-869-5566 to schedule, which may involve specialized handling fees outside of the township's Free Bulk Disposal Day.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a scheduled holiday falls on your regular pickup day, your trash and recycling will NOT be delayed by one day; instead, it will be collected on your NEXT regular service day.
Yard Waste Exception
Seasonal yard waste events (like spring cleanup and leaf collection) operate on specific, pre-published dates rather than standard weekly routes.
Unlike municipalities that bump service back by one day all week, Falls Township skips the holiday and resumes service on the household's next scheduled collection day. The Fairless Landfill drop-off is also closed on these major holidays.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Recyclables Loose and Unbagged
The most common reason for a rejected recycling bin is the presence of plastic bags. Never bag your paper, plastics, or glass before tossing them into the yellow-lidded cart. Plastic bags wrap around the sorting equipment at the WM facility, causing massive delays and safety hazards.
The Clean, Empty, and Lid-Free Rule
While Falls Township happily accepts glass bottles and rigid plastic jugs, they must be completely empty and free of heavy food residue. Give all containers a quick rinse. Crucially, remember to unscrew and remove all lids—lids are too small to be effectively sorted and must go straight into your green-lidded trash cart.
Divert Tanglers and Hazardous Chemicals
Never attempt to recycle or throw away hoses, extension cords, or hazardous fluids like pool chemicals and weed killers in your curbside carts. 'Tanglers' break sorting machinery, while chemicals pose severe fire and health risks to the Waste Management drivers.
Seasonal Information
Spring
AprilEvery April, the township hosts a highly anticipated Spring Yard Waste Cleanup alongside a Free Bulk Disposal Day. This is the perfect opportunity for residents to clear out winter debris and dispose of large household items without scheduling extra pickups.
Fall
October to DecemberFalls Township implements a dedicated Fall Leaf Collection schedule. Because yard waste is prohibited in standard recycling carts, residents must follow the specific neighborhood zoning dates to ensure their autumn leaves are vacuumed or collected properly.
Winter
JanuaryFollowing the holiday season, Falls Township coordinates special routes to collect discarded, natural Christmas trees. Be sure to strip your tree of all lights, ornaments, and tinsel before placing it at the curb, and never put it in a plastic disposal bag.
About Falls Township Waste Management
Mastering the Falls Township Automated Cart System
Falls Township utilizes a strict, color-coded automated cart system managed by Waste Management (WM). To guarantee your waste is collected, you must familiarize yourself with the specific bins. Your regular household trash must be bagged and placed inside the green cart with the green lid. Conversely, your recyclables belong in the green cart featuring the yellow lid. Because these carts are emptied mechanically, they must be positioned exactly three feet apart from each other and any nearby obstacles like mailboxes or parked cars, with the handles facing toward your home.
Navigating Bulk Waste and the 4-Foot Carpet Rule
Disposing of large items in Falls Township requires a bit of preparation. While you can place acceptable bulk goods like mattresses and standard appliances out for collection, there are specific size constraints. For example, if you are throwing away old carpet, you are strictly required to cut and roll it into bundles that do not exceed 4 feet in length and 4 feet in width. These bundles must then be securely tied with twine or duct tape. If you have extra bulk items or appliances containing Freon, you must proactively call Waste Management at 800-869-5566 to pre-schedule the pickup.
Direct Residential Recycling at the Fairless Landfill
A unique advantage for Falls Township residents is direct access to the local WM Scale Facility situated at the Fairless Landfill on Bordentown Road. If you generate more recyclables than your green-and-yellow cart can handle, you don't have to wait for your next service day. The facility accepts a wide range of paper, cardboard, plastics, and glass drop-offs from Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., as well as Saturday mornings.
Complying with Pennsylvania's E-Waste and Hazardous Material Laws
In strict adherence to Pennsylvania state law, Falls Township absolutely prohibits the curbside disposal of electronic waste, including televisions, laptops, monitors, and printers. These items, along with household hazardous waste such as pesticides, oil-based paints, and automotive batteries, must be kept out of all regular waste streams. Residents are directed to utilize the specialized drop-off locations and community cleanup events organized by Bucks County throughout the year to safely offload these toxic materials.
Drop-off Facilities
WM Scale Facility at Fairless Landfill (Residential Recycling Drop-off)
1400 Bordentown Road, Morrisville, PA 19067
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do I need to put my garbage out in Falls Township?
You should place your green and yellow automated carts at the curb after 6:00 p.m. the evening before your collection day, and no later than 6:00 a.m. on the day of service.
How do I throw away an old refrigerator or air conditioner?
Appliances containing Freon, such as refrigerators, freezers, and AC units, cannot simply be left at the curb. You must call Waste Management directly at 800-869-5566 to pre-schedule a specialized bulk pickup.
Can I leave my recycling in plastic grocery bags?
No. Falls Township strictly forbids plastic bags in the yellow-lidded recycling cart. All acceptable paper, plastic, metal, and glass items must be placed loosely into the bin.
What happens to my trash pickup on a holiday?
If a major observed holiday like Thanksgiving or Memorial Day falls exactly on your scheduled collection day, your trash and recycling will be picked up on your next regular service day.