Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for North Huntingdon
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.
Black Cart (96-gallon) Bin (Trash)
All trash must be bagged within the black cart to prevent windblown litter. The lid must close completely. Place the cart 3 feet from obstacles with the lid opening facing the street.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste and wrappers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and styrofoam
- ✓Grass clippings
Blue Cart (64-gallon) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed loosely in the blue cart. Never put recyclables in plastic bags. Place the cart at the curb by 6:00 AM on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, jars, and tubs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Medical waste or tanglers (hoses, cords)
Yard Waste Bin
Collected only during 3 designated weeks in spring and 3 weeks in fall. Must be in biodegradable paper bags or tied in bundles no longer than 4 feet. Grass clippings are not accepted as yard waste.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Garden residues
- ✓Shrubbery
- ✓Tree trimmings (under 6 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once a month (Second full week)
Placement
Place the single bulk item at the curb alongside your regular trash cart on your collection day during the second full week of the month.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and chairs
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Household furniture
- ✓ Bundled carpeting (cut to 4-foot lengths)
- ✓ Non-freon appliances (washers, dryers, dishwashers)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Items over 7 feet or heavier than 50 lbs (if bundled)
- ✕ Concrete, asphalt, and construction debris
- ✕ Vehicle parts and tires
- ✕ Electronics and televisions
The single monthly item is included in your standard collection rate. Additional items require scheduling directly with WM and carry an extra fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Collections are delayed one day for the remainder of the week if an observed holiday falls on a weekday.
Yard Waste Exception
If a designated yard waste collection week overlaps with an observed holiday, those pickups will also shift by one day.
If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no change to the standard Monday-Friday pickup schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Grass Belongs in the Trash
Unlike many municipalities, North Huntingdon requires grass clippings to be placed in your standard black trash cart. Do not put grass in biodegradable yard waste bags.
Keep Recyclables Loose
Never put plastic garbage bags in the blue 64-gallon cart. They jam the single-stream recycling machinery. Dump your cans, paper, and plastic loosely into the bin.
Mind the 3-Foot Clearance
The automated arm on the WM trucks requires a minimum of 3 feet of clearance around your carts. Keep them away from mailboxes, parked cars, and each other to ensure successful pickup.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - MarchClear snow away from cart placement areas. WM drivers using automated side-loaders cannot safely exit the vehicle to dig carts out of snowbanks.
Spring
April - MayKeep an eye out for the Township's announcement for the 3-week Spring Yard Waste collection window. Ensure twigs are bundled tightly and are under 4 feet in length.
Fall
October - NovemberThe 3-week Fall Yard Waste window usually occurs in late October and November. Use strictly biodegradable paper bags for autumn leaves.
About North Huntingdon Waste Management
Automated Cart Collection in North Huntingdon
In 2022, North Huntingdon Township transitioned to a fully automated refuse collection system managed by Waste Management (WM). Standard residential households are issued a 96-gallon black cart for trash and a 64-gallon blue cart for recycling. The automated arm mechanism on the trucks requires that all waste be contained within these specific carts—extra bags placed on the ground will be ignored unless you are subscribed to the specific Senior One Bag collection option.
Navigating the Monthly Bulk Waste Rule
Instead of an on-demand system, North Huntingdon adheres to a strict monthly bulk item schedule. Residents can place exactly one large item (such as a couch, mattress, or washer) at the curb at no extra charge. However, this is only permitted on your regular collection day during the second full week of every month. Any additional items require prior scheduling and a fee directly through WM.
Seasonal Yard Waste vs. Grass Clippings
Yard waste collection is not a year-round service in the township. WM conducts dedicated yard waste pickups during three specific weeks in the spring and three specific weeks in the fall. An important distinction for North Huntingdon residents is that grass clippings are explicitly excluded from yard waste—they must be bagged and thrown into your standard black trash cart.
The 'At Your Door' Special Collection Program
Disposing of electronics and hazardous chemicals in Westmoreland County is made easy for North Huntingdon residents. The township’s contract includes WM's 'At Your Door Special Collection' program. Rather than driving to a county drop-off event, residents can register online or call to have old TVs, computers, paint, and motor oil picked up directly from their porch or driveway.
Drop-off Facilities
Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling Center
3566 Route 981, Latrobe, PA 15650
Materials Accepted
WM At Your Door Special Collection
Curbside Pickup (Pre-registration required)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispose of a mattress or couch in North Huntingdon?
You can place one bulk item, like a couch or mattress, at the curb on your regular trash day during the second FULL week of the month for free. No phone call is required for this single permitted item.
Will Waste Management pick up extra bags of trash left outside my black cart?
No, the automated collection trucks will only empty what fits inside your black 96-gallon cart with the lid closed. If you regularly have overflow, you must rent an additional cart from WM for a monthly fee.
How do I get rid of an old TV or leftover paint?
Electronics and hazardous waste cannot go in your trash carts. North Huntingdon residents can use WM's 'At Your Door Special Collection' program by calling 800-449-7587 to schedule a free home pickup for these items.
When does North Huntingdon collect yard waste?
Yard waste is not collected year-round. It is collected for three specific weeks in the spring and three weeks in the fall on your normal collection day. Materials must be in biodegradable bags or bundled in 4-foot lengths.