Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Manheim
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 (or Hauler-Provided Carts) Bin (Trash)
Containers must be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection day, but no earlier than 6:00 PM the evening before. Empty containers must be removed from the curb by the end of the collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and wrappers
- ✓Dried latex paint (lids removed)
Green or Blue (Official Borough Bins) Bin (Recycling)
Rinse all containers thoroughly. Remove all lids and caps and throw them in the regular trash. Do NOT bag your recyclables; place them loosely in the bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Metal food and beverage cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (with a neck narrower than the base)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Paperboard (cereal boxes)
- ✕Newspaper or junk mail
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Yogurt tubs or fruit cups
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in biodegradable Kraft paper bags or tied into bundles no longer than 4 feet and no heavier than 30 pounds. Do not use plastic tape or wire to tie bundles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Garden residues
- ✓Shrubbery clippings
- ✓Tree trimmings (under 4 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One (1) large item per week on your regular trash day.
Placement
Place the single bulk item next to your regular trash bins by 6:00 AM on your collection day. Items must be manageable by two workers.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and couches
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Wooden furniture
- ✓ Carpet (cut into 4-foot lengths and tied)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions and computers (Covered Devices)
- ✕ Hazardous waste (chemicals, wet paint)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Tires
While standard bulk items are free, large "white goods" (stoves, washers, refrigerators) require a special sticker purchased from the Borough Office.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your regular collection day falls on or after an observed holiday, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and bulk item collections are subject to the same holiday delays as standard trash.
If the holiday falls on a weekend, the collection schedule for the preceding or following week is not impacted.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
The 'Neck Rule' for Plastics
When deciding if a plastic item is recyclable in Manheim, check the shape. If the bottle or jug has a neck that is narrower than its base (like a milk jug or water bottle), it is accepted. Tubs, trays, and cups are not.
Keep Recyclables Naked
Never place your recyclables inside a plastic grocery bag. Plastic bags wrap around the gears and screens at the LCSWMA recycling facility, causing complete plant shutdowns. Keep your items loose in the bin.
Lids and Caps Go in the Trash
Before you recycle your glass pasta sauce jar or plastic soda bottle, take the cap off and throw it in the garbage. Small caps slip through the recycling sorting screens and end up contaminating glass supplies.
Seasonal Information
Autumn
October - DecemberThe Manheim Borough Public Works Department conducts curbside leaf collection during the fall. Leaves must be raked to the curb line, but keep them out of the storm drains to prevent localized street flooding.
Winter
JanuaryReal Christmas trees are collected during the first two weeks of January on your normal trash day. You must remove all ornaments, lights, stands, and plastic tree bags for the tree to be accepted.
Spring/Summer
April - SeptemberGrass clippings are generally not accepted as yard waste. Residents are encouraged to "grasscycle" by leaving clippings on the lawn as natural fertilizer, or they must be bagged and thrown away as regular garbage.
About Manheim Waste Management
Keeping Historic Manheim Beautiful
Maintaining the charm of Manheim Borough requires a cooperative effort in proper waste disposal. Residents are required to use the designated municipal hauler, currently Penn Waste, for all standard curbside refuse. By adhering to the strict container limits and timely bin placement, we can keep our historic streets free of litter and accessible for street sweepers.
Adhering to Lancaster County's "Big 4" Recycling
Because Manheim is part of the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA) network, our recycling program is strictly limited to the "Big 4." This means you should only place corrugated cardboard, plastic bottles and jugs with a neck, metal food and beverage cans, and glass jars into your recycling bin. Wishcycling other plastics or paper products causes major disruptions at the local sorting facilities.
Managing Extra Waste with the Bag Tag System
Manheim operates on a system that encourages waste reduction. If your household generates more trash than the standard weekly container allowance, you cannot simply leave extra unmarked bags at the curb. Residents must purchase official Extra Bag Tags from the Borough Office. This pay-as-you-throw approach helps keep base utility rates lower for everyone.
Navigating Bulk and Freon Appliance Disposal
Getting rid of old furniture or appliances in Manheim requires a bit of planning. While standard bulk items like chairs or mattresses can typically be placed out on your regular trash day (limited to one per week), "white goods" such as refrigerators, dehumidifiers, or AC units require special handling. You must purchase an appliance tag from the Borough Office prior to scheduling a pickup to ensure harmful refrigerants are captured safely.
Drop-off Facilities
LCSWMA Transfer Station Complex
1299 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17603
Materials Accepted
Manheim Borough Office
15 East High Street, Manheim, PA 17545
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I have more trash than fits in my bins?
If you exceed the weekly trash limit, you cannot just place loose bags at the curb. You must purchase Extra Bag Tags from the Manheim Borough Office. Attach one tag to each additional bag so the hauler knows it has been paid for.
How do I throw away an old television or laptop in Manheim?
Under Pennsylvania law, electronic waste (e-waste) is banned from curbside trash collection. You must take televisions, computers, and related peripherals to the LCSWMA Household Hazardous Waste facility on Harrisburg Pike in Lancaster for free drop-off.
Does Manheim Borough recycle junk mail or cereal boxes?
No. Manheim follows the Lancaster County "Big 4" recycling rules. Paperboard (like cereal boxes), junk mail, and newspapers are no longer accepted in the recycling bin and should be disposed of in your regular household trash.
How do I dispose of old paint?
Liquid paint is considered hazardous and cannot be thrown away. However, if you have latex (water-based) paint, you can dry it out completely using kitty litter or paint hardener. Once solid, leave the lid off and place the can in your regular trash.