Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Hampden 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.
Resident's Choice or Contractor-Provided Cart Bin (Trash)
Each household is entitled to unlimited weekly trash service. Place trash at the curb no earlier than 6:00 p.m. the night before and no later than 6:30 a.m. on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household trash
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Tree limbs (max 6 ft long, 5 inches diameter, securely bundled)
Green or Blue Cart (Provided by Contractor) Bin (Recycling)
Rinse all containers thoroughly. Remove all caps and lids and throw them in the trash. Flatten all cardboard boxes. Place recyclables completely loose in the cart; never use plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1, #2, and #5 (only if necks are smaller than bases)
- ✓Aluminum beverage cans
- ✓Steel food and beverage cans
- ✓Clear, brown, and green glass bottles and jars
- ✓Cardboard, newspapers, and paperboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastics #3, #4, #6, #7
- ✕Plastic bags (including grocery bags)
- ✕Yogurt tubs, cups, and plastic trays
- ✕Styrofoam and pizza boxes
- ✕Light bulbs, ceramics, and electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Collected curbside from March 1 through October 31 in a separate truck on your regular trash day. Must be bundled or placed in an unlidded trashcan or cardboard box. Do not mix yard waste with regular trash.
Accepted Items
- ✓Shrubbery clippings
- ✓Branches and tree limbs (max 6 ft long, 5 inches diameter)
- ✓Bundled brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One (1) bulk item per week.
Placement
Place the scheduled bulk item at the curb alongside your regular trash no later than 6:30 a.m. on your collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, dressers)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Appliances (refrigerator or freezer doors must be completely removed)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Building materials and lumber
- ✕ Concrete and bricks
- ✕ Pressurized tanks (propane)
- ✕ Liquid paint and hazardous materials
- ✕ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
The collection of one weekly bulk item is included in the standard quarterly utility charge of $117.99 at no additional fee, provided it is properly scheduled.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week. Friday scheduled pickups will occur on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
When active, the seasonal curbside yard waste collections follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular trash.
Holidays such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day do NOT affect the weekly curbside collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Only Narrow-Neck Plastics
Hampden Township only accepts #1, #2, and #5 plastics if their necks are noticeably smaller than their bases (like soda bottles or milk jugs). Plastic cups, tubs, and take-out trays are strictly prohibited and will contaminate the load.
The Cap Removal Mandate
While some modern recycling programs ask you to keep caps on, Hampden Township's local processing guidelines explicitly require you to remove and discard all caps and lids before tossing plastic or glass bottles into the recycling bin.
No Grass in the Yard Waste Truck
Unlike many municipalities, grass clippings are not accepted as yard waste in Hampden. They will not be picked up by the yard waste truck or accepted at the drop-off facility. You must throw your grass clippings away with your regular household trash.
Seasonal Information
Summer
June - AugustDuring periods of extreme summer heat, Waste Management may push their collection start times an hour earlier (5:30 a.m.) to protect workers. Always place your bins out the night before to avoid a missed pickup.
Spring / Fall
March - OctoberA dedicated yard waste truck operates curbside on your normal trash day from March 1st through October 31st. Ensure your branches are securely bundled and not mixed into standard trash bins.
Winter
November - FebruaryCurbside yard waste pickup ceases during the winter. Residents must transport shrub clippings and large branches directly to the Yard Waste Facility on Technology Parkway, requiring a Resident ID for access.
About Hampden Township Waste Management
Comprehensive Curbside Services in Hampden Township
Residents of Hampden Township enjoy a robust municipal waste program managed by Waste Management. Unlike many municipalities with strict volume caps, Hampden households are entitled to unlimited weekly trash service. Whether it’s post-holiday cleanup or standard household refuse, residents can rely on consistent weekly pickups, provided bins are placed at the curb between 6:00 p.m. the night before and 6:30 a.m. on collection day.
Understanding Hampden's Strict Single-Stream Recycling Rules
Cumberland County's recycling protocols have shifted significantly to combat contamination. In Hampden Township, single-stream recycling is highly specific: only #1, #2, and #5 plastics with necks smaller than their bases are accepted. Tubs, trays, and yogurt cups must go into the trash. Additionally, while some neighboring towns allow caps to remain on bottles, Hampden requires all caps and lids to be removed and discarded before recycling.
Yard Waste Protocols: Curbside vs. Drop-Off Facility
From March 1st through October 31st, Waste Management deploys a separate truck on your regular trash day strictly for yard waste. Interestingly, grass clippings are not classified as yard waste in the Township and must be placed in your regular garbage. For heavier brush and shrubbery out of season, residents can access the Township's Yard Waste Facility on Technology Parkway using a valid Resident ID card.
Navigating Bulk Item Pickups with Waste Management
Disposing of an old mattress, sofa, or appliance is remarkably easy under the Township's contract. Households are permitted one bulk item per week at no extra cost. However, this is not an on-demand service—you cannot simply leave a refrigerator on the curb and expect it to disappear. You must call Waste Management in advance to schedule the bulk pickup on your normal trash day.
Drop-off Facilities
Hampden Township Yard Waste Facility
Public Works Facility (via Technology Parkway), Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
Materials Accepted
Cumberland County Household Hazardous Waste Events
Various pop-up locations (check county website)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do I need to put my trash out in Hampden Township?
Your trash and recycling containers must be placed at the curb no later than 6:30 a.m. on your collection day [1.1.3], but no earlier than 6:00 p.m. the evening before. During summer heat waves, Waste Management may begin collections even earlier, so the night before is recommended.
Can I throw away grass clippings with my yard waste?
No. Grass clippings and ornamental grasses are explicitly banned from the curbside yard waste truck and the Hampden Township Yard Waste drop-off facility. You are required to throw your grass clippings away with your regular household trash.
How do I schedule a refrigerator or mattress pickup?
Hampden residents are allowed one free bulk item per week, but it requires a reservation. You must call Waste Management at 1-800-634-4595 in advance to schedule the pickup. If disposing of a refrigerator or freezer, state law requires the doors to be completely removed.
Do I need a special bin for curbside yard waste?
No official yard waste bin is required. From March through October, you can bundle branches with twine, or place loose yard waste (like shrubs) into any standard unlidded trashcan or cardboard box. The contractor will empty the container and leave it at the curb.