Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Pittsburgh
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.
Any standard color Bin (Trash)
Must use leak-proof bags without rips, or durable, watertight containers with close-fitting lids. Maximum container size is 35 gallons. Must not block sidewalks or curb ramps.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard municipal solid waste
- ✓Food debris
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Properly wrapped sharp objects
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Collection is bi-weekly. Items must be placed loosely (unbagged) into a City-issued blue bin or a 35-gallon blue container. Blue containers must be clearly visible.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, jars, and tubs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Metal cans (aluminum, steel, empty aerosol)
- ✓Cardboard and mixed paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕E-waste
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in biodegradable paper yard bags. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited. Branches must be bundled and securely tied. Curbside collection is limited to two specific dates per year.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Branches (under 4 inches in diameter and 5 feet in length)
- ✓Garden residues
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (collected on your normal trash day)
Placement
Set items out alongside your regular trash no earlier than 6:00 PM the night prior, and no later than 6:00 AM on the day of collection. Keep at least five feet from the street without blocking the sidewalk.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and oversized chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Dressers and non-metal furniture
- ✓ Large household goods
Not Accepted
- ✕ Covered electronic devices (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Tires and auto parts
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (cement, bricks, drywall)
- ✕ Professionally installed carpeting
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
Curbside bulk pickup is entirely free for up to two items. Anything exceeding two items or prohibited construction debris must be hauled to a private transfer station at the resident's expense.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a city-observed holiday falls on or before your normal collection day, your pickup will be delayed by exactly one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Public Works Drop-Off locations are closed on all city-observed holidays.
Because collection routes are split into Central-Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western districts, residents should download their specific district's annual calendar to track 'A' and 'B' recycling weeks.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Always Wrap Sharp Objects
For the safety of Bureau of Environmental Services workers, any broken glass, needles, or sharp objects must be heavily wrapped in durable paper or sealed inside a rigid plastic bottle before being placed in the regular trash.
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Bin
Pittsburgh’s recycling stream is completely bag-free. Do not line your blue bin with a plastic bag or place your recyclables inside one. Plastic bags jam municipal sorting machines and will cause your recycling to be rejected.
Electronics Are Legally Banned from the Curb
Under the PA Covered Device Recycling Act, it is illegal to place televisions, computers, monitors, or peripherals out for curbside trash or bulk pickup in Pittsburgh. You must take them to designated e-waste drop-off events.
Seasonal Information
Spring and Fall
April and NovemberThe city designates two specific Saturdays per year (usually one in late April and one in November) for specialized curbside yard waste collection. Check your localized calendar to confirm exact dates, and ensure all yard debris is in paper bags.
Summer
June to AugustDuring extreme heat, properly securing your trash bags and utilizing bins with tight-fitting lids is critical to combat rodent issues and odors. Remember, you cannot place bins out earlier than 6:00 PM the night before collection.
Winter Holidays
December and JanuaryFor post-holiday cleanup, live Christmas trees cannot be left curbside for normal trash pickup. The city operates specific drop-off locations across various public parks and Public Works facilities during January where trees can be recycled into mulch.
About Pittsburgh Waste Management
Navigating Pittsburgh's Strict Set-Out Windows
The Bureau of Environmental Services mandates a very specific timeframe for placing your waste on the curb to keep Pittsburgh’s streets safe and litter-free. Residents must wait until at least 6:00 PM the evening before their scheduled collection day, but items must be out no later than 6:00 AM on the day of pickup. All waste must be contained within substantial, leak-proof bags or standard trash cans capped at 35 gallons, and bins must be retrieved by 10:00 PM on collection day.
The Transition to Bag-Free Blue Bin Recycling
In recent years, the City of Pittsburgh distributed over 100,000 blue bins to single-family homes and small apartment complexes, officially transitioning to a bag-free recycling program. All recyclables—including plastics, glass, and metal cans—must be placed loosely in a designated blue container not exceeding 35 gallons. Bagging recyclables in plastic is completely forbidden, as it jams the sorting equipment at local material recovery facilities.
Pittsburgh’s Generous Weekly Bulk Pickup Perk
Unlike many municipalities that require special scheduling and additional fees for large items, Pittsburgh residents enjoy an exceptionally generous municipal bulk waste policy. You are permitted to place up to two bulk items, such as a mattress or an old couch, at the curb alongside your regular refuse every single week. No prior appointment is necessary, provided the items do not include banned materials like construction debris, tires, or e-waste.
Semi-Annual Yard Debris Collection
While basic household trash is collected weekly, Pittsburgh handles yard waste quite differently. Curbside pickup for leaves, brush, and branches is not a weekly service; instead, the city runs specialized curbside collection days just twice a year (typically in April and November). Outside of these rare curbside events, residents must transport their yard debris in compostable paper bags directly to one of the city’s multiple Public Works drop-off centers.
Drop-off Facilities
East End Public Works Drop-Off Center
6814 Hamilton Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15208 (Entrance on Dallas Ave)
Materials Accepted
Strip District Public Works Drop-Off Center
3001 Railroad St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201 (Entrance under the 31st Bridge)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the earliest time I can put my trash out in Pittsburgh?
According to city ordinances, you cannot place your waste or recycling at the curb any earlier than 6:00 PM on the evening before your scheduled collection day. Furthermore, empty bins must be removed from the curb by 10:00 PM on collection day.
How do I throw out a couch or mattress in Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh offers a very generous bulk item policy: you can place up to two large bulk items (such as a couch, mattress, or dresser) on the curb alongside your regular garbage every week without making a prior appointment.
Can I bag my recyclables if I run out of room in my blue bin?
No. The City of Pittsburgh requires all recycling to be placed loosely into an approved blue container (max 35 gallons). Plastic bags are banned in the recycling stream. If you run out of room, break down cardboard or wait until your next bi-weekly collection.
Does Pittsburgh pick up yard waste and leaves every week?
No, curbside yard debris collection only occurs twice a year, typically on a designated Saturday in April and another in November. If you have yard waste outside of these dates, you must transport it in paper bags to a designated Public Works Drop-Off Center.