Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Norristown
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 (Must have a tight-fitting lid) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be placed in heavy-duty plastic bags or durable leak-proof containers not exceeding 32 gallons or 50 pounds. Cans must have tight-fitting lids to deter pests.
Accepted Items
- ✓Normal household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers and non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small amounts of bagged household debris
Blue (Municipality-issued or clearly marked) Bin (Recycling)
All recyclable containers must be rinsed completely clean of food and liquid residue. Do not bag recyclables; place them loosely inside the bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1 through #7
- ✓Aluminum and steel/bimetal cans
- ✓Clear, brown, and green glass bottles and jars
- ✓Newspaper, magazines, and junk mail
- ✓Flattened corrugated cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam (EPS)
- ✕Food-soiled paper (e.g., greasy pizza boxes)
- ✕Window glass and mirrors
- ✕Electronics and batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste must be placed in biodegradable brown paper bags or open, clearly marked trash cans. Branches must be tied in bundles no longer than 4 feet and no thicker than 3 inches in diameter.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves and grass clippings
- ✓Weeds and garden residues
- ✓Brush and tree trimmings (tied in bundles)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One (1) bulk item per week.
Placement
Place the bulk item out on your normal trash day by 6:00 AM. It must be light enough for two sanitation workers to safely lift into the truck.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Couches and upholstered chairs
- ✓ Wooden or metal furniture
- ✓ Non-Freon household appliances (washers, dryers)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions and computers (Covered Devices)
- ✕ Refrigerators, freezers, and AC units (unless Freon is certified removed)
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (bricks, drywall)
The single weekly bulk item is included in your standard municipal service fees. Excessive cleanouts or additional large items will require a private dumpster rental or direct coordination with a private junk hauler.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling collection for that day and all subsequent days that week will be delayed by one day (e.g., Friday collections move to Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collections observe the same one-day delay rule during holiday weeks.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is generally no disruption to the regular Monday-Friday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Banish the Plastic Bags
Never place your recyclables inside a plastic grocery bag or garbage bag. Flexible plastic film severely jams the gears and screens at the J.P. Mascaro recycling facility. Simply drop your clean cans, bottles, and paper loosely into your blue bin.
Keep Pizza Grease Out
While clean corrugated cardboard is highly valued in the recycling stream, oil and grease ruin the paper fibers. Tear the greasy bottom half of your pizza box off and throw it in the trash; only recycle the clean, unsoiled lid.
No Tanglers Allowed
Keep items like garden hoses, electrical cords, and holiday lights out of the recycling bin. These items, known as 'tanglers,' wrap around the automated sorting machinery and cause prolonged facility shutdowns.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October - DecemberThe Municipality of Norristown conducts specialized curbside leaf vacuuming and bagging collection during the autumn months. Leaves should be placed in biodegradable bags or swept to the curb line strictly according to the published seasonal zone schedule.
Winter
JanuaryCurbside Christmas tree collection typically occurs during the first two weeks of January. All tinsel, lights, ornaments, and plastic tree stands must be completely removed for the tree to be chipped and composted.
Spring/Summer
April - SeptemberWeekly yard waste collection ramps up to accommodate grass clippings and spring pruning. Ensure you never use plastic bags for yard waste, as this will result in the hauler leaving the debris at your curb.
About Norristown Waste Management
Efficient Curbside Collection in the Municipality of Norristown
The Municipality of Norristown partners with J.P. Mascaro & Sons to provide comprehensive curbside trash and recycling services to all residential households. To keep the streets of Montgomery County clean, residents are required to place all refuse and recycling at the curb no earlier than 6:00 PM the night before collection and no later than 6:00 AM on the scheduled pickup day.
Navigating Single-Stream Recycling Guidelines
Norristown utilizes a single-stream recycling system, meaning all approved recyclables can be mixed into one designated container. However, strict adherence to the accepted materials list is crucial. Only clean cardboard, paper, glass jars, metal cans, and plastics #1-#7 should enter the bin. Introducing contaminants like food waste or plastic wrap can force the sorting facility to reroute entire truckloads to the local landfill.
Managing Montgomery County Electronic Waste Mandates
Under the Pennsylvania Covered Device Recycling Act (CDRA), it is illegal to dispose of electronic waste—such as televisions, desktop computers, and monitors—in your standard curbside trash. Norristown residents must retain these items for designated Montgomery County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and E-Waste collection events, or utilize certified private electronics recyclers in the area.
Maximizing Your Weekly Bulk Item Allowance
For residents undergoing home cleanouts or replacing furniture, Norristown's contract allows for the disposal of one large bulk item per week on your regularly scheduled trash day at no additional charge. This incredible convenience covers items like mattresses, box springs, and sofas, preventing illegal dumping and keeping local neighborhoods pristine.
Drop-off Facilities
Montgomery County Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off
Various locations across Montgomery County (Event-based)
Materials Accepted
Norristown Public Works Department
235 E Airy St, Norristown, PA 19401
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispose of a mattress or piece of furniture in Norristown?
Norristown residents are permitted to place one large bulk item, such as a mattress, sofa, or piece of furniture, out with their normal garbage each week. You do not need to call ahead or pay an extra fee for this single item.
Can I throw my old television or computer in the garbage?
No. Under Pennsylvania state law (CDRA), you cannot dispose of electronic waste like TVs, laptops, and computer monitors in your curbside trash. You must take these items to an approved Montgomery County e-waste drop-off event or a certified electronics recycling facility.
Are plastic bags recyclable in my blue bin?
No, plastic bags are not accepted in the curbside recycling program because they tangle and damage the sorting equipment. You should recycle clean, dry plastic grocery bags at local participating supermarkets or big-box stores.
When does fall leaf collection happen?
The Municipality of Norristown conducts a targeted leaf collection program typically running from late October through December. Leaves must be put into biodegradable brown bags or raked to the curb line in specific zones. Check the Norristown Public Works website in early autumn for the exact zone map and schedule.