Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lower Paxton
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.
Mobile Cart provided by Penn Waste Bin (Trash)
Place your cart curbside by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection day. All trash bags must fit inside the cart with the lid closed. Ensure the lid handle and wheels point toward your residence.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household trash
- ✓Bagged solid waste
Mobile Cart provided by Penn Waste Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loose inside the recycling cart. Do not place any recyclables, including flattened cardboard boxes, outside the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard (broken down)
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Metal food and beverage cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Electronic devices
- ✕Household hazardous waste
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Plastic bags
Yard Waste Bin
Collected weekly (April 1 to mid-December) on your regular trash day. Must be in Kraft paper bags or tied in bundles (under 12 inches in diameter for branches). Plastic bags are strictly prohibited. Grass clippings are NOT considered yard waste and must go in the regular trash.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bundled tree prunings
- ✓Garden waste
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Shrub trimmings
- ✓Weeds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One (1) bulk item per week
Placement
Place your scheduled item curbside by 6:00 AM on your collection day. Items that are too heavy to be safely lifted into a truck by two people will not be accepted. Extra trash bags do not count as a bulk item.
Accepted
- ✓ Appliances (including Freon units)
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Plumbing fixtures (toilets, sinks)
- ✓ Lawn mowers (fluids and batteries removed)
- ✓ Two (2) car tires without rims
- ✓ Three (3) 4-ft rolls of tied carpet
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronic devices
- ✕ Chemicals and hazardous waste
- ✕ Tires on rims
- ✕ Construction materials (drywall, brick, lumber, concrete)
- ✕ Automobile parts
One bulk item per week is included in your standard service, but it is strictly by appointment only. You must call the Township at 717-657-5617 to schedule.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Collection days that fall on or after a Penn Waste observed holiday will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular solid waste and recycling.
If an observed holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no change in service prior to or after the holiday.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Break Down and Box It In
All cardboard must be broken down, flattened, and placed completely inside your Penn Waste recycling cart. Cardboard stacked next to the cart or overflowing from the top will be left behind by the automated trucks.
Keep Grass in the Trash
Unlike leaves, shrub trimmings, and weeds, grass clippings are not accepted as yard waste in Lower Paxton Township. You must bag your grass clippings and place them inside your regular solid waste cart.
Ditch the Plastic Bags for Yard Debris
Never use plastic bags for your fall leaves or garden weeds. Yard waste will only be collected if it is placed in biodegradable Kraft paper bags or tied into small, manageable bundles.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October - NovemberThe Lower Paxton Public Works Department conducts curbside vacuum leaf collection along township roads. Rake your loose leaves to the curb according to the seasonal schedule posted by the municipal center.
Spring/Summer
April - DecemberWeekly yard waste collection at the curb runs from April 1st through the second week of December on your standard trash day. You can also drop off leaf waste at the Conway Road Compost Facility if you have a permit.
Winter
JanuaryChristmas trees are collected on specific designated days shortly after the New Year. Ensure all ornaments, tinsel, and plastic tree bags are removed before placing the tree at the curb by 6:00 AM.
About Lower Paxton Waste Management
Streamlined Automated Collection in Lower Paxton
Lower Paxton Township partners with Penn Waste to offer residents an efficient, automated mobile cart collection system. This modern approach keeps Dauphin County neighborhoods clean by requiring all household trash and recyclables to fit securely inside the provided carts, virtually eliminating the mess of loose bags and open bins on windy days.
The Weekly One-Bulk-Item Benefit
Replacing old furniture or clearing out the basement is less of a hassle thanks to the township's generous bulk waste policy. Every week, residents are permitted to schedule one large item—like a mattress, sofa, or a Freon-containing appliance—for curbside pickup. Scheduling through the Township utility office by 3 PM the day prior is mandatory to guarantee collection.
Navigating Yard Waste and Leaf Season
Maintaining your property produces a substantial amount of green waste throughout the year. Lower Paxton provides weekly curbside yard waste pickup from April through mid-December, provided it is placed in Kraft paper bags or properly bundled. Additionally, public works crews perform specialized vacuum leaf collection along township roads during the peak autumn foliage season.
Strict 'In-The-Cart' Recycling Rules
To maximize collection efficiency and reduce street litter, the township enforces a strict recycling policy: if it is not completely inside the recycling cart, it will not be collected. This means all corrugated cardboard boxes must be completely broken down, flattened, and stuffed into the cart, allowing the automated collection trucks to run safely and on time.
Drop-off Facilities
Lower Paxton Township Compost Facility
6613 Conway Road, Harrisburg, PA
Materials Accepted
Dauphin County Recycling Center
1625 S Cameron St, Harrisburg, PA 17104
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispose of a mattress or large piece of furniture in Lower Paxton?
Lower Paxton residents are allowed to dispose of one bulk item per week. However, you must schedule the pickup by calling the Township customer service team at 717-657-5617 by 3:00 PM the day before your normal collection day. Do not call Penn Waste directly to schedule.
What should I do if I have more cardboard than fits in my recycling cart?
All recyclables, including cardboard, must fit entirely inside your Penn Waste recycling cart with the lid closed. You must break down and flatten all boxes. Any cardboard placed outside or next to the cart will not be collected by the automated trucks.
Can I put grass clippings in with my yard waste?
No. In Lower Paxton Township, grass clippings are not classified as leaf or yard waste. You must bag your grass clippings and throw them away in your regular mobile trash cart.
Does my trash pickup change if a holiday falls on the weekend?
No. If a major observed holiday like Christmas or the 4th of July falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no change or delay to the collection schedule for the preceding or following week.