Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Hazleton
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-provided standard trash cans with tight-fitting lids Bin (Trash)
All household waste must be enclosed inside sealed garbage bags prior to placement inside cans.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food packaging and wrappers
- ✓Soiled paper plates and napkins
- ✓Cereal, macaroni, and pizza boxes
Blue container or container with green lid provided by HCA Bin (Recycling)
Do not put trash into recycling totes; doing so incurs a mandatory $25 penalty on your HCA bill.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Clean plastic containers
- ✓Cardboard and paper products
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Yard debris
- ✕Clothing and textiles
Yard Waste Bin
Collected on the 2nd Saturday of the month from April to November; must be placed in containers or bags weighing under 40 lbs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Garden residues
- ✓Leaves and grass clippings
- ✓Shrubbery and tree trimmings up to 6 inches in diameter
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly
Placement
Set your single bulk item out on the curb during regular pickup hours, never days in advance.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and couches
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (wrapping in plastic is recommended)
- ✓ Wooden furniture
- ✓ Washing machines and dryers
- ✓ Water heaters
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics and computers
- ✕ Construction debris and lumber
- ✕ Freon-containing appliances (unless certified degassed)
- ✕ Car parts, tires, and batteries
- ✕ Hazardous liquids and paints
Included in standard municipal billing, provided the one-item weekly cap and material restrictions are honored.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed holiday falls on a weekday, pickup is delayed by one day for the remainder of that holiday week.
Yard Waste Exception
Monthly Saturday yard waste routes operate independently and are announced on specific dates.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, regular weekday trash pickup schedules typically remain unaffected.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of Blue Totes
Never use plastic grocery bags to consolidate recyclables in Hazleton. Plastic bags tangle sorting machinery; place items loose in your designated HCA blue tote or green-lidded container.
Observe the Single-Bulk Limit
Placing out multiple large items at once leads to uncollected curbside piles and billing fines. Stick to the strict limit of one approved bulk item per week.
Bag Trash Before Crain Placement
Loose trash dumped directly into bins can result in collection refusal. Secure all refuse in trash bags before dropping them into your waste cans.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - MarchSub-zero temperatures and severe snowstorms in the Poconos region can cause winter collection delays. Ensure curbside placement areas are shoveled clear of snow and ice so haulers can access your bins safely.
Spring and Summer
April - OctoberThe HCA conducts monthly curbside yard waste pickups on the second Saturday of each month from April through October. Branches must not exceed 6 inches in diameter.
Fall
NovemberSpecial leaf cleanups and final seasonal yard waste pickups are scheduled in November before winter sets in. Check HCA notices for exact November curbside collection dates.
About Hazleton Waste Management
Managing Residential Refuse in the Mountain City
Hazleton’s sanitation framework operates through a unique partnership between the municipality and the Hazleton City Authority (HCA), contracting private hauler Tamaqua Transfer for citywide curbside operations. Given Hazleton's elevated topography in Northeastern Pennsylvania, adhering strictly to collection guidelines helps maintain clean, orderly neighborhoods and minimizes municipal billing penalties.
Strict Container and Bagging Mandates
Every resident setting out waste must ensure that trash is securely bagged before going into containers. HCA mandates heavy-duty garbage cans fitted with tight lids to prevent wind scattered litter and animal intrusion. Contaminating dedicated recycling totes with household trash or failing to meet container specifications can trigger a minimum $25 fine per violation direct to your HCA billing statement.
Navigating Hazleton Bulk Waste Regulations
Hazleton allows residents to discard one bulky household item per week alongside regular refuse without pre-booking. However, strict limitations apply: items like electronics, construction debris, auto parts, and yard waste are prohibited during standard curbside collections and require specialized drop-offs or private hauler arrangements.
Yard Waste and Seasonal Cleanup Events
To manage organic material effectively, HCA runs a monthly yard waste pickup program every second Saturday between April and November. During these specific windows, residents can set out garden trimmings, leaves, and small branches in manageable bundles or bins.
Drop-off Facilities
Hazleton City Authority Main Facility
400 E Arthur Gardner Pkwy, Hazleton, PA 18201
Materials Accepted
Luzerne County Hazardous Waste Drop-Offs
Various locations across Luzerne County, PA
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the penalty for putting garbage into an HCA recycling bin in Hazleton?
Placing standard trash or non-recyclable materials into green-lidded or blue HCA recycling bins carries a minimum penalty of $25 per violation, which gets added directly to your monthly Hazleton City Authority bill.
How do I get rid of an old mattress or couch in Hazleton?
Hazleton allows you to place one bulk item, such as a couch or mattress, at the curb each week on your regular collection day without needing a special permit. Wrapping mattresses in plastic before curbside placement is highly recommended.
How are electronics disposed of in Hazleton?
Electronics like TVs, computers, and monitors are banned from regular landfill trash in Pennsylvania. Hazleton City Authority sponsors an annual Electronics Recycling Event (typically in early fall) at 400 E Arthur Gardner Pkwy for resident e-waste disposal.
When does Hazleton collect yard waste and leaf trimmings?
Curbside yard waste collection takes place on the second Saturday of each month from April through October, with a final leaf cleanup run in November. Ensure branches are under 6 inches in diameter and bags weigh less than 40 pounds.