Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Horsham
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.
Varies by selected private hauler (typically dark green, brown, or black) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be bagged and placed securely in the hauler-provided cart. Bins must be placed at the curb the night before or by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers and non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Broken ceramics and glassware
Varies by selected private hauler (typically blue or green) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed loosely in the bin, never bagged in plastic. Cardboard should be flattened.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and junk mail
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (usually #1, #2, #5)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires, cords)
- ✕Batteries and electronics
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Check with your specific private hauler for yard waste inclusion. It is often required to be placed in biodegradable paper bags or bundled.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small twigs and branches
- ✓Garden residues
- ✓Leaves (outside of township vacuum season)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Varies by contract
Placement
Do not place bulk items at the curb without prior authorization from your private waste hauler.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Couches and large chairs
- ✓ Wooden furniture
- ✓ Non-Freon appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions and computers
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, chemicals)
- ✕ Freon-containing appliances (refrigerators, AC units)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
Fees vary strictly by the hauler. It is advised to get a quote when scheduling your bulk pickup.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Most private haulers operating in Horsham follow the 'slide rule'. If a major holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the rest of the week are delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Holiday delays apply to all services, including scheduled yard waste or bulk pickups arranged with your hauler.
Since haulers are independent, always verify the exact holiday schedule directly with your chosen provider.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Ditch the Plastic Bags
The number one contaminant in Montgomery County recycling streams is plastic bags. Never bag your recyclables. Return plastic grocery bags to local supermarkets like Giant or Acme for specialized recycling.
Keep Tanglers Out of the Cart
Items like garden hoses, holiday lights, and extension cords are considered 'tanglers.' They wrap around the gears at the sorting facility, causing equipment damage and delays. Put these in the trash.
Empty, Clean, and Dry
Food residue can ruin entire batches of paper and cardboard. Give your jars, bottles, and cans a quick rinse to ensure they are free of food particles before tossing them in the recycling bin.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - MarchDuring heavy Mid-Atlantic snowstorms, private haulers frequently suspend routes for safety. Ensure your bins are accessible, not buried in snowbanks, and check your hauler's app or website for weather-related delay schedules.
Fall
October - DecemberHorsham Township operates a curbside leaf vacuuming program. Check the township's zone map for your specific collection week, and avoid parking cars over leaf piles on the street.
Spring
April - MaySpring cleanup yields higher volumes of yard waste. Ensure branches and brush are tied in lengths manageable by your private hauler, or utilize Montgomery County's regional yard waste drop-off sites.
About Horsham Waste Management
Navigating Horsham's Private Hauler System
Unlike municipalities that manage city-wide waste contracts, Horsham Township operates on a private subscription model. Residents are responsible for selecting and contracting directly with independent waste haulers licensed to operate within Montgomery County. While pickup days and specific container rules vary by company, all haulers must comply with township and state environmental regulations.
Mandatory Recycling Under PA Act 101
Horsham is a mandated recycling community under Pennsylvania's Act 101. This means that regardless of which private hauler you choose, they are legally required to provide you with curbside recycling services for items like aluminum, glass, plastics, and paper. Ensuring these materials are diverted from landfills is a shared responsibility between the township, the haulers, and the residents.
Electronic Waste Disposal in Montgomery County
The Pennsylvania Covered Device Recycling Act (CDRA) explicitly bans the disposal of electronics such as televisions, laptops, and desktop computers in standard curbside trash. Horsham residents cannot leave these items out for their private haulers. Instead, e-waste must be taken to specialized Montgomery County recycling events or registered retail drop-off locations like Best Buy or Staples.
Township Fall Leaf Collection Program
While standard yard waste is generally handled by your private hauler, Horsham Township Public Works typically provides a dedicated curbside leaf collection service during the autumn months. Residents are asked to rake leaves to the edge of the curb—without blocking storm drains or bagging them—so township vacuum trucks can safely clear the streets and process the organic material.
Drop-off Facilities
Montgomery County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events
Various locations across Montgomery County (Pre-registration required)
Materials Accepted
Abington Township Residential Recycling Center
2201 Florey Lane, Abington, PA 19001
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Horsham Township provide municipal trash collection?
No, Horsham Township does not provide municipal trash or recycling collection. Residents must set up an account with a private waste hauler licensed to operate in the area.
Can I put my old TV on the curb for my private hauler?
No. Under the Pennsylvania Covered Device Recycling Act, haulers cannot collect televisions or computer equipment with regular trash. You must take these to a registered e-waste recycling facility or a county collection event.
How do I participate in the Horsham fall leaf collection?
The township provides a curbside leaf vacuum service in the fall. Residents should rake unbagged leaves to the curb line (not in the street or blocking storm drains) prior to their neighborhood's scheduled collection week.
What should I do with leftover house paint?
Latex (water-based) paint is not hazardous and can be thrown in the regular trash if completely dried out (you can use kitty litter or paint hardener to dry it). Oil-based paint must be taken to a Montgomery County Household Hazardous Waste event.