Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Palmer Township
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.
All-green automated cart Bin (Trash)
Trash must be bagged before placing in the cart. All materials must fit inside the cart with the lid completely closed by 4:00 AM on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Non-hazardous waste
- ✓Food waste
Green cart with a yellow lid Bin (Recycling)
Single-stream recycling. Lids must be attached to plastic bottles but removed from glass bottles. Cardboard must be cut or flattened.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1-#7
- ✓Flexible plastics (pet treat pouches, empty grocery bags, bubble wrap, chip bags)
- ✓Clear, brown, and green glass bottles/jars
- ✓Aluminum, tin, and steel cans
- ✓Paper, junk mail, magazines, cardboard, food and beverage cartons
Do NOT Include
- ✕Polystyrene foam
- ✕Greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Textiles
- ✕Wood
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Place in any clean, open-top container (not the automated cart), compostable paper bags, or bundle with cotton/hemp twine (no plastic rope, max 3'x3'x3', max 40 lbs). No grass clippings or tree stumps.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Branches
- ✓Twigs
- ✓Flowers
- ✓Roots
- ✓Bushes
- ✓Garden clippings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Four (4) times per year during specific scheduled weeks.
Placement
Place bulk items curbside by 4:00 AM (or 5:00 AM depending on hauler alerts) during special collection weeks. Special off-schedule collections can be arranged for a fee.
Accepted
- ✓ Plastic dishwashers
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Rugs rolled up and tied (no larger than 3' x 6')
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Large glass items
- ✕ Hazardous materials
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Yard waste
- ✕ Additional household trash
Off-schedule pickup is available by contacting Waste Management Customer Service at 800-621-2100. Identify as a Palmer Township resident for the $40 per item pickup price (subject to change).
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Waste and recycling will not be collected on Memorial Day, Labor Day, or Thanksgiving Day. Collections will be delayed by one day following these holidays.
Yard Waste Exception
Check specific bulk and yard waste special collection weeks as they operate on fixed seasonal schedules.
A One Day Holiday and Weather Emergency Delay page provides updates for winter storms or unexpected disruptions.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Greasy Pizza Boxes Out
Ensure that greasy pizza boxes and food-soiled cardboard are thrown in the trash, not your yellow-lidded recycling cart.
Bag Your Trash, Not Your Recycling
Bagging is strictly required for your green trash cart to keep it clean, but items in your yellow-lidded recycling cart (aside from shredded paper) should remain loose.
Remove Lids from Glass, Keep Lids on Plastic
Palmer Township rules specify that lids should be completely removed from glass jars and bottles before recycling, whereas lids should remain securely attached to plastic drink bottles.
Seasonal Information
Fall
Mid-October to DecemberRake leaves directly into the street near the curb for the Township’s vacuum truck. Do not bag them during these specific 8 weeks.
Winter
JanuaryCurbside Christmas tree collection takes place during the first three full weeks of the month. Leave your tree curbside, entirely free of tinsel, ornaments, stands, or plastic bags.
Spring/Summer
April to SeptemberPractice 'Grasscycling'. The township encourages cutting and leaving grass clippings on your lawn as natural fertilizer. Grass clippings are strictly prohibited from curbside yard waste pickup and drop-off centers.
About Palmer Township Waste Management
Ultimate Guide to Palmer Township PA Trash and Recycling Services
Discover everything you need to know about navigating the residential solid waste program in Palmer Township. The municipality runs a highly efficient, fully-automated weekly curbside collection system utilizing distinct 95-gallon carts for both garbage and recycling. Not only has this streamlined single-hauler approach drastically minimized local truck traffic, but it has also proven instrumental in keeping service costs remarkably low for more than a decade.
Navigating Your Green and Yellow Carts
When sorting your household waste, color-coding is key. Your standard household refuse goes into the all-green automated cart, while your single-stream recyclables are destined for the green cart featuring a yellow lid. Unlike many other municipalities, Palmer Township's advanced recycling program even permits flexible plastics like pet treat pouches, empty grocery bags, and bubble wrap. Remember to tightly bag your garbage to prevent windblown litter, but keep recyclables loose.
Special Seasonal Collections: Leaves, Christmas Trees, and Bulk Goods
Beyond regular weekly service, Palmerians benefit from diverse seasonal collection drives. Fall brings eight weeks of dedicated curbside leaf vacuuming, heavily dependent on weather conditions, followed by Christmas tree pickup in early January. Furthermore, the township schedules specific weeks for bulk items, yard waste, and metals/appliances, ensuring you can responsibly dispose of everything from an old sofa to unwanted garden clippings without extra hassle.
Maximizing the Local Yard Waste Drop-Off Sites
If you have substantial yard debris between scheduled pick-ups, Palmer Township operates two exclusive drop-off centers for residents. The Berks Street facility accepts unlimited yard waste, including large limbs up to 12 inches in diameter, while the Hartley Avenue Recycling Center is perfect for smaller, bundled drop-offs. Emphasizing sustainability, the public works department even provides free mulch loading during the spring months!
Drop-off Facilities
Berks Street Yard Waste Drop-Off Recycling Center
End of Berks Street, Palmer, PA
Materials Accepted
Hartley Avenue Recycling Center
3650 Hartley Avenue, Palmer, PA
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my automated cart for curbside yard waste?
No. During the bi-annual curbside yard waste collections, you must place debris in a clean, open-top container (like an old round trash can), compostable paper bags, or bundle them. Never use your township-issued automated carts for yard waste.
What should I do if my 95-gallon cart is stolen or damaged?
If stolen, report it to the Palmer Police immediately to get a free replacement with a case number. If damaged by the collection truck, the township repairs or replaces it for free. Damage due to neglect will result in a $100 replacement fee.
Are there extra fees for additional trash or recycling carts?
Yes. If one 96-gallon cart isn't enough, you can request an additional cart from the township. It requires a one-time purchase fee of $100, plus an additional quarterly service charge on your utility bill.
How do I dispose of a mattress or box spring in Palmer Township?
You can place one mattress or box spring out during the designated quarterly bulk item collection weeks, but they must be completely wrapped in plastic. If you need it gone sooner, you can schedule a special pickup with Waste Management for a $40 fee.