Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lower Merion
Trash Day
Collection runs once per week, Monday through Friday, according to your neighborhood route. Residents can confirm their assigned pickup day using the Address Lookup tool on the township website.
Recycling
Collected weekly on your regular trash collection day, alternating weekly between Paper/Cardboard (Week P) and Commingled glass, metal, and plastic containers (Week C).
Yard Waste
Leaves placed in compostable paper bags and tied brush trimmings (under 4 feet long) are collected weekly on your regular collection day.
Set Out Time
Place containers out no earlier than 7:00 PM the evening before and no later than 7:00 AM on collection day. All containers must be retrieved by 9:00 PM on collection day.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Solid waste collection is billed annually as part of your Township Real Estate Tax bill, with rates based on your selected service tier (Mini-Can, Standard, or Enhanced) and collection point (curbside vs. rear-yard).
Billing Cycle
Annual (billed on the Township/County Real Estate Tax bill)
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Debit/ACH, Mail, In-Person, Escrow
Pro Tip / Discount
Qualifying seniors may receive a 20% rebate on the standard single-container subscription. Disability waivers are also available for rear-yard collection fees.
Any standard color Bin (Trash)
Residents must supply their own bins with tight-fitting covers. Maximum 48 gallons for standard subscriptions, or 20 gallons for mini-can subscribers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Regular household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Township-issued bins Bin (Recycling)
Paper must be separated from commingled glass and plastics. Collection types alternate weekly. All paper should be in its own bin or a paper bag next to the recycling container.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastics
- ✓Paper and cardboard (separated)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Household hazardous waste
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Brush can be dropped off for free at the Township Transfer Station. Leaves must be placed in biodegradable paper leaf bags (available for purchase at the Transfer Station).
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Tree trimmings
- ✓Shrubbery
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By scheduled appointment or via self-transport to the Transfer Station
Placement
If a special pickup is scheduled, items must be placed curbside by 7:00 AM on the assigned date. Mattresses must be wrapped.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, chairs, bed frames)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (MUST be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Carpet (rolled)
- ✓ Lawn mowers (gas removed)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Appliances with Freon (refrigerators, AC units)
- ✕ Household hazardous wastes and chemicals
- ✕ Paints and stains
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Electronics and TVs
Special pickups incur a per-item fee. Alternatively, you can drop off bulk waste at the Transfer Station (1300 N Woodbine Ave) where residents are charged 14 cents per pound.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The Township mails an official holiday collection calendar to all residents every January. Generally, when a Township-observed holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling collections are pushed back by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
The Transfer Station and Public Works Complex are closed on all major holidays, meaning no brush or yard waste drop-offs can occur on those days.
Residents can utilize the Address Lookup tool on the Lower Merion Township homepage to confirm exact holiday shift dates for their specific property.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall
October to DecemberDuring peak leaf season, residents are required to bag their leaves in biodegradable paper yard bags, which can be purchased directly from the Transfer Station for 52 cents each. The Township also hosts special Clean Up Weekends and E-Waste collection events in October.
Winter
January to MarchDuring severe snow emergencies, normal curbside collection may be suspended. Driveways must be cleared for any rear-yard collection services. Post-holiday, the Township provides specialized Christmas tree collection, provided all tinsel and ornaments are removed.
Spring
April to JuneAs spring landscaping begins, remember that brush and yard waste can be dropped off completely free of charge at the Robert J. Koegel Public Works Complex, provided you can present proof of Lower Merion Township residency.
Local Tips & Community Info
Refuse Operations in Lower Merion Township
The municipal Public Works Department oversees solid waste disposal across Lower Merion, offering a uniquely tailored approach to sanitation. Most notably, the township provides a premium rear-yard collection service for many neighborhoods, alongside standard curbside options. Property owners fund these services through an annual solid waste fee, which is billed directly by the municipality. To ensure seamless service, residents must have all materials prepared and accessible by 7:00 a.m. on their designated collection morning.
Receptacle Standards and Weight Caps
To guarantee efficient and safe removal by township crews, all household garbage must be contained within heavy-duty bags or municipal-approved cans. Receptacles are strictly capped at a 32-gallon capacity and must never weigh over 50 pounds when fully loaded. If your property is designated for the rear-yard service, any entry gates must be unlocked and household pets secured indoors so workers can safely access your trash bins.
Township Recycling Protocols
Lower Merion employs a single-stream recycling system, allowing residents to combine glass, plastics (types 1-7), and aluminum into a single township-issued bin. Paper and flattened cardboard should be bundled securely or placed alongside the main container. Film plastics, such as standard grocery sacks, are strictly prohibited because they entangle and break the sorting facility's heavy processing equipment. Always rinse food residue from containers before tossing them in the bin.
Scheduling Special Bulk Pickups
Oversized refuse, such as old mattresses, washing machines, and large furniture pieces, will not be hauled away during standard weekly neighborhood routes. Residents must directly contact the Public Works office to schedule a special bulk refuse collection. This service requires an advanced scheduling notice and the payment of an additional fee, which varies depending on the overall size and type of the heavy item being discarded.
Organic Yard Waste and Brush Disposal
Grass clippings, autumn leaves, and pruned branches require distinct handling separate from standard garbage. The township mandates that all organic yard debris be packed into biodegradable paper bags or reusable open bins. Plastic bags are entirely unacceptable for yard waste and will be left behind. Brush and branches must be tied into manageable bundles no longer than four feet to fit safely into the collection vehicles.
Holiday Schedule Interruptions
During township-observed public holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Independence Day, or Memorial Day, the normal sanitation calendar shifts slightly. If your standard collection day falls on or after the official holiday, you should expect a one-day delay for the remainder of that week. The Public Works Department routinely updates the municipal website and sends community alerts with precise holiday schedule adjustments.
Drop-off Facilities
Robert J. Koegel Public Works Complex (Transfer Station)
1300 N Woodbine Avenue, Penn Valley, PA 19072
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lower Merion offer rear-yard trash pickup?
Yes, Lower Merion Township is unique in offering rear-yard collection for many properties. Residents utilizing this service must ensure gates are unlocked and dogs are secured by 7:00 a.m. on collection day.
What is the size limit for a garbage can in the township?
All trash receptacles must be 32 gallons or smaller, and the total weight of the filled can or heavy-duty bag must not exceed 50 pounds.
Can I put yard waste in plastic garbage bags?
No. All yard debris, such as leaves and grass clippings, must be placed in biodegradable paper bags or open, rigid containers. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited for organic waste.