Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lower Allen
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.
Township/Penn Waste Issued Wheeled Cart Bin (Trash)
All waste must be bagged and fit completely inside the one designated mobile cart. The lid must close. Excess bags or loose material outside the cart will absolutely not be collected. Place curbside by 6:00 AM on your collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household trash
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Bagged garbage
Township/Penn Waste Issued Wheeled Recycling Cart Bin (Recycling)
Keep recyclables loose in the wheeled cart. Do not bag them. Ensure cardboard is flattened. If you have excess cardboard, take it to the drop-off location at Lower Allen Community Park.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (#1, #2, & #5 only)
- ✓Newspaper (clean and dry)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and cartons
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastics #3, #4, #6, #7
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Food-soiled materials
Yard Waste Bin
Collected on the same day as trash from March through October. Must be bundled or placed in a Township-provided container.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush
- ✓Branches (max 6 feet in length, 4 inches in diameter)
- ✓Yard clippings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once per week on your scheduled collection day.
Placement
You must contact Penn Waste at (717) 767-4456 to request the pickup. Place the approved item curbside by 6:00 AM on your collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, tables, dressers)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Appliances (Freon removal must be mentioned when scheduling)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Additional bags of household trash
- ✕ Electronics and TVs
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste
The weekly single bulk item is included in your service, but failure to call and schedule it in advance will result in the item being left at the curb.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Collection days that fall on or after an observed holiday will be delayed one day. If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no change in service for the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Since yard waste is collected on the same day as trash and recycling (March-October), it follows the exact same holiday delay schedule.
Always check the Penn Waste E-News Updates or website for real-time weather delays during winter snowstorms.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Plastics #1, #2, and #5 Only
Unlike some single-stream programs that accept all plastics, Penn Waste in Lower Allen strictly limits plastic recycling to bottles and jugs marked with #1, #2, and #5. All other plastics, including clamshells, must go in the trash.
Utilize LACP for Excess Boxes
Do not jam oversized or excess corrugated cardboard into your cart so tightly that the automated arms can't dislodge it. Break it down completely or take it to the dedicated drop-off dumpster at Lower Allen Community Park.
Electronics Are Not Bulk Items
Never place a television or computer at the curb. Under state law, e-waste is completely banned from standard garbage and bulk collection. It must be taken to a Cumberland County electronics recycling event.
Seasonal Information
Spring through Fall
March to OctoberCurbside yard waste collection is fully active during these months and occurs on your regular trash day. Do not mix yard waste into your regular garbage cart.
Spring/Summer
April to SeptemberLooking to spruce up your garden? Head to the Township facility on South St. John's Road where residents can self-load compost and mulch for free while supplies last.
Winter
December to FebruaryIf a major holiday like Christmas or New Year's Day falls on a weekday, all collections for the remainder of that week will be delayed by one day. Weekend holidays do not impact the schedule.
About Lower Allen Waste Management
Automated Cart Collection by Penn Waste in Lower Allen Township
Lower Allen Township operates a highly regulated, DEP-mandated recycling and trash program in partnership with Penn Waste. Every residential property is provided with one wheeled cart for garbage and another for single-stream recycling. To keep the streets of Cumberland County clean, residents must ensure all materials fit entirely inside these carts with the lids closed. Any loose bags left next to the container or trash that falls out during the automated collection process becomes the immediate responsibility of the homeowner.
Weekly Bulk Item Allowances and Appliance Removal
Unlike municipalities that charge extra for every large item, Lower Allen residents can dispose of one bulky item per week—such as a piece of furniture or a mattress—at no additional cost. However, you cannot simply drag it to the curb and assume it will be taken. You are strictly required to contact Penn Waste at (717) 767-4456 beforehand to schedule the pickup. If your item contains Freon, like a refrigerator or air conditioner, you must notify them during scheduling so they can dispatch the appropriate removal vehicle.
Exclusive Cardboard and Paperboard Drop-Off Locations
The boom in online shopping often leaves residents with more boxes than their recycling cart can handle. To combat overflow, Lower Allen Township has established specialized corrugated cardboard dumpsters at the Lower Allen Community Park (LACP), conveniently located in the first parking lot on the left. Additionally, there are dedicated paperboard drop locations specifically for items like cereal boxes, frozen food containers, and excess newspaper to ensure your recycling bin doesn't constantly overflow.
Curbside Yard Waste and the St. John's Road Compost Facility
From March through October, Penn Waste runs a simultaneous curbside yard waste collection on your scheduled trash day. Branches must be under six feet long, no thicker than four inches in diameter, and securely bundled or placed in a Township-provided container. For larger landscaping jobs, residents can utilize the municipal yard waste site at 1400 South St. John's Road in Camp Hill, where you can self-load free compost and mulch, or arrange for the Township to deliver it to your home for a fee.
Drop-off Facilities
Lower Allen Community Park (LACP) Cardboard Drop-Off
110 W Lisburn Rd, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 (First parking lot on the left)
Materials Accepted
Lower Allen Township Yard Waste Facility
1400 South St. John's Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I place extra bags of garbage next to my cart in Lower Allen Township?
No. All household trash must fit entirely inside your Penn Waste wheeled cart with the lid closed. Additional bags left on the ground or placed on top of the cart will not be collected.
How do I schedule a bulk item pickup for an old couch?
Lower Allen residents are allowed one free bulk item per week, but you must contact Penn Waste directly at (717) 767-4456 to schedule the collection in advance. If it has Freon, you must specify this on the call.
Are all plastics recyclable in my curbside cart?
No. Lower Allen Township's recycling program only accepts plastic bottles and jugs marked with the recycling numbers #1, #2, and #5. All other plastics, including clamshell food containers, should be thrown in the trash.
What do I do if I miss the March-October yard waste curbside collection?
If you have yard debris outside the curbside collection window or generate excess material, you can take leaves and brush to the municipal yard waste facility located at 1400 South St. John's Road in Camp Hill.