Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Hampden Township
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week, Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Collected once weekly on the same day as your regular trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Curbside yard waste collection runs weekly from March 1 through October 31 on your regular trash day.
Set Out Time
By 6:30 AM on collection day (and no earlier than 6:00 PM the evening before)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash and recycling charges are billed quarterly and combined with sewer and stormwater management fees.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Direct Withdrawal (ACH), Mail, In-Person, Drop Box, Phone
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Tossed Treasures into Cold, Hard Cash in the Shire?
While Hampden Township doesn't have its own specific bottle buyback centers right in town, remember that Pennsylvania has a state-wide program for redeemable beverage containers! Look for the little recycling symbol with a number on it – soda cans, water bottles, and some juice containers are usually good for a nickel each. You can often redeem these at larger grocery stores or dedicated redemption centers in nearby areas. For bigger metal items, like old appliances or scrap metal, a quick search for "scrap metal yards Cumberland County" will point you in the right direction. They often pay by weight for metal, so that old lawnmower or bicycle frame might be worth a few bucks!
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Hampden?
Before you toss those clothes you no longer wear or the furniture that's just taking up space, think about donating! Right here in the Harrisburg area, there are a few great spots. Goodwill is always a reliable option, and they have locations that serve Hampden Township residents. Another fantastic place to check is the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in nearby Carlisle or Harrisburg. They accept furniture, building materials, and home decor, and your donation helps fund their mission to build homes for families in need. It feels good to declutter *and* do some good at the same time!
Keeping Our Streets Spotless: What to Do When You See Trashy Behavior?
We all want Hampden Township to look its best! If you ever see someone dumping trash illegally, it's important to report it so we can keep our neighborhoods clean. Your best bet is to contact the Hampden Township Public Works Department. They are the ones who can address these situations and help clean up any mess. You can usually find their contact information on the official Hampden Township website under the Public Works or Code Enforcement sections. Let's all keep an eye out and work together to prevent illegal dumping!
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.