Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lower Makefield Township
Trash Day
Trash collection is not municipal; residents contract independently with licensed private haulers (such as Waste Management, Whitetail Disposal, McCullough, or RMJ Disposal), and collection days vary by provider and neighborhood.
Recycling
Recycling collection is bundled with your private hauler's trash service and follows the schedule set by your provider.
Yard Waste
Curbside leaf collection is provided by the township across scheduled zones in the fall, and seasonal yard waste drop-off events are held throughout the year.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Because trash collection operates via an open-market subscription system, residents set up service and pay their chosen waste hauler directly rather than through township utility billing.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly or Monthly (set by private hauler)
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone (varies by hauler)
Varies by Private Hauler Bin (Trash)
Because Lower Makefield utilizes an open market, your specific bin size and placement rules are dictated entirely by the private hauler you select. Most haulers provide a 95-gallon cart and require all trash to be securely bagged.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Textiles
Varies by Private Hauler Bin (Recycling)
The township mandates that all haulers must collect recycling. Recyclables should always be placed loosely in your bin without plastic bags, as bags jam sorting facility machinery.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2
- ✓Flattened cardboard and mixed paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
For the municipal fall leaf collection, leaves must be raked into long, narrow rows within 3 feet of the curb. Do not place leaves directly in the street where they block storm drains.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves (during Township fall collection)
- ✓Brush and branches (at Public Works drop-off)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Dictated by your private hauler contract.
Placement
You must contact your specific hauler to schedule a bulk pickup. Follow their exact placement guidelines, which typically involve placing the item at the curb the night before your scheduled day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large appliances (non-Freon)
Not Accepted
- ✕ E-waste (TVs, laptops)
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals
- ✕ Liquid paints
- ✕ Construction debris
Review your private contract closely. If a hauler does not include bulk items in their standard tier, they will charge a per-item fee based on weight and size.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Holiday delays depend entirely upon your independently contracted hauler. Generally, if a major holiday falls on a weekday, service is pushed back by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
The municipal fall leaf vacuuming runs continuously in November and December but will temporarily halt during severe inclement weather or winter plowing operations.
Always check directly with your specific provider (McCullough, WM, Whitetail, or RMJ) for their exact holiday route adjustments.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall
November to DecemberRound One of the Township's vacuum leaf collection typically begins the first week of November and runs through late November, followed immediately by Round Two in December. Check the township zoning map to know exactly which week crews will hit your neighborhood.
Winter
December to FebruaryIf an early snowstorm hits during the final weeks of leaf collection, Public Works must pivot to plowing. Be advised that any leaves left extending into the roadway will be plowed back onto your property to clear the streets for emergency vehicles.
Spring
April to JuneAs spring landscaping begins, take advantage of the Lower Makefield Public Works facility on Edgewood Road. They offer yard waste drop-off during standard weekday hours, and frequently provide free leaf mulch back to residents.
Local Tips & Community Info
Get Some Bucks Back for Your Bottles in Bucks County!
While Lower Makefield Township might not have a specific local spot to cash in your cans and bottles, Pennsylvania has a state program called the PA Cash 4 Pennies! This means you can take your empty beverage containers (like soda and beer bottles and cans) to participating grocery stores and redemption centers throughout Bucks County and get 5 cents back for each one. It's a little bit of extra cash and a great way to recycle those empties!
Give Your Unwanted Stuff a Second Life Nearby
Thinking of tossing something that still has life in it? Before it hits the curb, consider donating! For folks in Lower Makefield, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Fairless Hills is a fantastic option for furniture, building materials, and home goods. Also, check out thrift stores like the Goodwill in Fairless Hills or the Salvation Army in Levittown. Your gently used items can help others and reduce waste.
Keeping Our Neighborhood Beautiful: Tackling Litter Together
Nobody likes seeing trash where it shouldn't be. If you spot illegal dumping in Lower Makefield Township, the best thing to do is report it so it can be cleaned up. Typically, you'll want to contact the Lower Makefield Township Public Works Department. They handle these situations and can investigate. Keeping an eye out and reporting helps keep our community looking its best for everyone.
Drop-off Facilities
Lower Makefield Public Works Yard Waste Drop-off
1100 Edgewood Road, Yardley, PA 19067
Materials Accepted
Tullytown Resource Recovery Facility (TRFF)
200 Bordentown Road, Tullytown, PA 19007
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the official trash collector for Lower Makefield Township?
Lower Makefield Township does not have a single municipal trash collector. The township operates on an open market system, meaning homeowners must independently hire a private hauler. Approved companies include McCullough Rubbish Removal, Waste Management, Whitetail Disposal, and RMJ Disposal Services.
Do I have to pay an extra fee to get recycling service?
No. Lower Makefield Township mandates that every private waste hauler operating within its borders must include curbside recycling collection as part of their standard residential fee. You will not be charged extra for basic recycling.
When does the township collect leaves?
The Township Public Works Department conducts a massive Fall Leaf Collection utilizing vacuum trucks. Round One begins the first week of November, followed by Round Two in December. Leaves must be raked to within 3 feet of the curb and must not contain any sticks or debris.
How do I throw away a television or computer in Lower Makefield?
Under Pennsylvania state law, electronic waste cannot be placed in your curbside trash or recycling carts. Residents must take electronics to designated eCycling drop-off locations or wait for a Bucks County Household Hazardous Waste Collection event.