Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Palmer Township
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday by designated neighborhood zones: Monday (north of Northwood Ave and Hollo Rd), Tuesday (south of Northwood Ave to Seip Ave/Old Nazareth Rd/Park Rd), Wednesday (south of Lions Pool Rd/Seip Ave to William Penn Hwy), Thursday (between William Penn Hwy and Freemansburg Ave, east of Stones Crossing Rd), and Friday (south of Freemansburg Ave and west of S Nulton Ave/Stones Crossing Rd).
Recycling
Weekly on the same day as trash collection
Yard Waste
Two special curbside collections per year (spring and fall), plus 8 weeks of curbside vacuum leaf collection in late autumn and year-round drop-off at the Berks Street Yard Waste Center.
Set Out Time
By 4:00 AM on collection day (or after 7:00 PM the evening before)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and recycling fees are billed quarterly by the Township on a combined utility statement alongside sewer and stormwater fees.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In Person
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Cash for Your Cans? Let's Talk Palmer Township Recycling Rewards!
While Palmer Township focuses on regular recycling, did you know you can sometimes turn those empties into a little extra cash? Pennsylvania has a statewide program for certain beverage containers (think soda, water, and beer bottles and cans) where you can get a small refund when you redeem them. You'll want to look for redemption centers near Easton or Bethlehem. Also, for scrap metal items that might be too big for your regular bin, check out local scrap yards. They often pay by weight for things like old appliances (once their Freon is removed properly, of course!) or scrap metal pieces. It's a win-win: clear out clutter and get a few bucks back!
Giving Gently Used Goods a Second Life in Palmer Township
Instead of tossing items that still have life left in them, consider donating them! For furniture, clothing, or household goods, check out the Goodwill stores in nearby Easton or Bethlehem. They're always looking for donations to support their job training programs. Habitat for Humanity ReStores in the Lehigh Valley are also fantastic places to drop off usable building materials, furniture, and home decor. It's a great way to help out a good cause and keep perfectly good items out of the landfill.
Keeping Palmer Township Spick and Span: Tackling Dumping
While most folks in Palmer Township do their part, keeping an eye out for illegal dumping is important for our community's appearance and environment. If you see trash or debris left in unusual spots, it's best to report it. You can usually contact the Palmer Township Public Works Department or the Northampton County Solid Waste Management Department. They can advise on the best way to handle the situation and ensure it's cleaned up properly. Sometimes, there are also community clean-up days organized throughout the year – keep an eye out for those announcements to lend a hand and make our township even nicer!
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.