Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lower Allen
Trash Day
Trash collection occurs weekly from Monday through Friday, with specific pickup days assigned by neighborhood zone according to the township collection map.
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on the same day as your regular trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Curbside yard waste is collected weekly on your regular trash day from March through October using township-issued yellow yard waste bins.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day (or after 5:00 PM the evening before)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Township utility bills are mailed out quarterly and bundle refuse (trash, recycling, and yard waste), sanitary sewer, and stormwater fees into a single statement.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Automatic Withdrawal (ACH), Mail, In-Person, Drop Box
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Residential Solid Waste Guidelines for Lower Allen
Maintaining a clean and sanitary neighborhood is a collaborative effort in Lower Allen Township. The municipality has contracted Penn Waste to handle all curbside solid waste and recycling collection for its residents. On your designated pickup day, you must wheel your bins to the curb by 7:00 AM, though placing them out the night before is often the most reliable method. Lower Allen operates on a strict cart-only system, meaning every piece of household garbage must fit completely inside the provided mobile cart with the lid securely closed. The automated trucks will simply pass by any extra trash bags stacked on the ground or placed on top of the container. For those who prioritize recycling, the township asks that all paper recyclables be neatly placed into brown paper bags before being dropped into the recycling bin, which helps the sorting facility process materials efficiently.
Scheduling Your Large Bulk Items
When you upgrade your living room furniture or replace an old mattress, you cannot simply leave the oversized items at the edge of your driveway and expect them to vanish. Lower Allen households are permitted to dispose of one bulk item per week, but this requires proactive communication. You must call Penn Waste customer service directly to schedule a specialized bulk pickup for things like couches, dressers, or carpets, which must be cut and rolled into four-foot sections. If you are discarding an old refrigerator, freezer, or air conditioner, you must notify the hauler that the appliance contains Freon, as these require entirely different handling procedures to comply with environmental safety laws.
Managing Seasonal Yard Debris
From the first spring thaw through the falling autumn leaves, landscaping cleanup is a constant task. To assist homeowners, Penn Waste provides weekly yard waste collection that runs concurrently with your standard trash day from March through October. To participate, residents must place their organic debris in the specialized yellow yard waste containers provided by the Township. If you have tree branches or thick brush that will not fit in the yellow bin, you can bundle them with twine, provided the bundles do not exceed six feet in length and the individual branches are under four inches in diameter. Remember that this seasonal service pauses during the winter months, so plan your major pruning projects accordingly.
Holiday Collection Shifts and Unacceptable Materials
Navigating the collection schedule during major national holidays is straightforward. If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, Penn Waste will delay all subsequent collections for that week by exactly one day. However, if the holiday lands on a weekend, your normal Monday-through-Friday schedule remains completely unaffected. Beyond scheduling, it is crucial to understand what cannot go into your bins. Lower Allen strictly prohibits construction debris, remodeling waste, automotive tires, and highly flammable hazardous chemicals from entering the residential waste stream. Attempting to hide these unacceptable materials in your cart can result in rejected pickups and potential fines.
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
Who is the contracted waste hauler for Lower Allen Township?
Penn Waste handles all residential curbside trash, recycling, and yard waste collection for the township. You can reach their dispatch and customer service team by calling (717) 767-4456.
What are the rules for throwing away tree branches?
During the March to October yard waste season, tree branches can be placed at the curb if they are securely bundled. Bundles cannot be longer than six feet, and no single branch can have a diameter larger than four inches.
Can I leave a few extra trash bags next to my bin?
No. The collection trucks use automated arms that can only lift the designated mobile carts. Any excess trash bags left outside the bin will be left behind.