Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Manchester
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.
Resident's choice of container or bag Bin (Trash)
Up to six 32-gallon bags/containers per week. Each bag max 50 lbs; containers max 60 lbs. Place curbside by 6 AM on Monday.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Penn Waste provided or resident-owned recycling bin Bin (Recycling)
Placed out loose, not in plastic bags. Ensure all containers are rinsed and cardboard is flattened.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper and newsprint
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (#1, #2, #5)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Food-soiled paper and pizza boxes
- ✕Needles/sharps
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Leaves must be raked into long, narrow windrows in the street (not on grass or sidewalks). No sticks, twigs, grass clippings, or animal waste. Pickups occur November through December. Regular curbside yard waste is not provided by Penn Waste.
Accepted Items
- ✓Autumn leaves only
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One large item per week
Placement
Place the bulk item at the curb by 6 AM on Monday. It must be light enough to be lifted safely by two people.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large non-hazardous household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Electronics
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals
- ✕ Appliances containing Freon (unless pre-scheduled)
Appliances with Freon require scheduling a removal directly with Penn Waste, which will incur an additional fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on or before your Monday collection day, your pickup will be delayed by one day (moving to Tuesday).
Yard Waste Exception
Fall leaf collection is managed by the Borough, not Penn Waste, and operates on its own Monday/Tuesday schedule during November and December.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no delay and Monday collection proceeds as normal.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Don't Bag Your Recyclables
Never put your single-stream recyclables into plastic grocery bags. The flexible plastic film tangles around the sorting gears at the Penn Waste facility, causing severe equipment jams and safety hazards.
The Empty and Dry Rule
Ensure your glass bottles and plastic jugs are completely empty and dry. A half-full soda can easily spill and ruin a whole bin of clean paper and cardboard, rendering it unrecyclable.
Keep Sharps Out of the Bin
Medical needles and syringes are extremely dangerous to sanitation workers and must never be placed in the recycling bin. Dispose of them safely in a rigid plastic container (like a heavy laundry detergent bottle) in the regular trash.
Seasonal Information
Fall
November - DecemberManchester Borough's leaf collection happens on Mondays and Tuesdays. Be sure to keep cars parked far away from your leaf windrows so the sweeping trucks have at least thirty feet of clearance to operate.
Winter
JanuaryPenn Waste does not provide a standard Christmas tree pickup for Manchester Borough. Check with the Borough office for specific post-holiday disposal guidelines or utilize local yard waste drop-off sites in York County.
Spring/Summer
May - AugustGrass clippings are strictly prohibited from being dumped in the street or placed with recycling. Consider mulching your clippings directly into your lawn to return nutrients to the soil.
About Manchester Waste Management
Generous 6-Bag Trash Limit via Penn Waste
Manchester Borough's municipal contract with Penn Waste provides a surprisingly generous weekly household refuse limit. Residents are permitted to place up to six 32-gallon trash bags or containers curbside every Monday. However, it is crucial that each bag weighs no more than 50 pounds, with rigid reusable containers maxing out at 60 pounds to ensure the safety of the sanitation workers.
Single-Stream Recycling Simplified
Recycling in Manchester is managed through Penn Waste’s single-stream system, meaning residents do not need to sort their paper, glass, or plastic into separate bins. Accepted materials include standard plastic bottles, glass jars, aluminum cans, and flattened cardboard. Just ensure everything is rinsed clean and never bagged in plastic film, which jams the sorting machinery at the processing center.
Electronics Banned from Curbside Bins
Because of Pennsylvania's Covered Device Recycling Act, your Penn Waste drivers will leave items like televisions, computers, and monitors on the curb if you attempt to throw them away with the normal Monday pickup. Manchester residents must instead utilize the York County Solid Waste Authority (YCSWA) designated drop-off sites to safely and legally dispose of their e-waste.
Strict Autumn Leaf Windrow Rules
Standard yard waste is not picked up on the weekly Penn Waste schedule. Instead, the Manchester Borough Public Works runs a specialized leaf collection program during November and December on Mondays and Tuesdays. Residents must rake leaves into long, narrow windrows directly in the street, rather than on sidewalks or grass strips. The Borough strictly prohibits adding sticks, brush, or pet waste to these piles, as it damages the municipal vacuum equipment.
Freon Appliance and Bulk Item Pickups
Every week on Monday, residents are allowed to place exactly one large bulk item—such as a piece of furniture or an old mattress—at the curb alongside their regular trash. However, if you are throwing out a refrigerator, freezer, or any appliance containing Freon, you cannot simply leave it out. You must proactively contact Penn Waste to schedule a specialized Freon removal pickup.
Drop-off Facilities
YCSWA Recycling Drop-Off Center
2685 Blackthorne Court, York, PA 17406
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the trash limit for Manchester Borough residents?
Penn Waste allows residents to place up to six 32-gallon trash bags or containers at the curb each week. Each bag must weigh no more than 50 pounds, and solid containers should not exceed 60 pounds.
Does Penn Waste collect yard waste or branches in Manchester?
No, standard yard waste like branches and brush is not collected curbside by Penn Waste in Manchester Borough. However, the Borough Public Works Department runs a specific leaf collection program for autumn leaves during November and December.
How do I dispose of a television or old computer?
Due to Pennsylvania's electronics recycling laws, you cannot place TVs or computers in your weekly trash. Manchester residents should transport electronic waste to the York County Solid Waste Authority (YCSWA) designated drop-off locations.
Do I need to call ahead for a mattress pickup?
For a standard bulk item like a mattress or sofa, you do not need to call ahead. You can place exactly one large item out on your normal Monday collection day. However, you must call Penn Waste in advance if you are discarding an appliance containing Freon.