Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Plum
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.
Standard Hauler Cart Bin (Trash)
All garbage MUST be securely bagged before being placed in the trash cart to prevent litter and health hazards. Carts must be placed within 5 feet of the curb prior to 5:00 a.m. on your collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small, non-hazardous household items
Standard Recycling Cart Bin (Recycling)
Recycling must NOT be bagged; all items should be placed loose in the cart. If you have excess cardboard, flatten all boxes and stack them neatly next to your recycling can.
Accepted Items
- ✓Mixed single-stream recyclables
- ✓Cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Paper
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers
- ✓Metal cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Household hazardous waste
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
The Borough offers a seasonal Leaf Collection and Yard Waste program. Refer to the Public Works schedule for designated seasonal pick-up dates.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Yard clippings
- ✓Brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One item per week
Placement
Place your single bulk item within five feet of the curb in a manner that does not obstruct access to any other items, block the right of way, or obstruct traffic.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, chairs)
- ✓ Wrapped mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Stoves, washers, and dryers
- ✓ Refrigerators and AC units (Freon removed)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics and TVs (use HHW program)
- ✕ Unwrapped mattresses
- ✕ Appliances containing Freon
- ✕ Hazardous waste or liquid chemicals
- ✕ Construction debris
The one weekly bulk item is included in your standard sanitation bill. Additional or specialty collections may incur extra fees from County Hauling.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The Borough's contract with County Hauling observes six major holidays. If the holiday falls on a weekday on or before your service day, collection is delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Seasonal leaf and yard waste collection schedules operate independently of the standard trash routes and may follow different holiday delay rules.
If an observed holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no change to the regular weekly service schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Never Bag Your Recyclables
While Plum Borough mandates that all household garbage must be bagged, the opposite rule applies to your recycling cart [1.1.4]. Keep all recyclables loose to ensure they can be properly sorted at the County Hauling facility.
Seal Mattresses in Plastic
If you are using your weekly bulk item allowance to dispose of a mattress or box spring, it must be completely wrapped and sealed in a plastic moving or disposal bag to protect sanitation workers from bed bugs and biohazards.
Prepare Appliances Correctly
Plum allows one bulk item per week, but large appliances like refrigerators, freezers, and window air conditioning units will be left at the curb unless they have had their Freon professionally removed and tagged.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October to NovemberThe Public Works department runs a scheduled Leaf Collection program. Residents should refer to the annual schedule posted on the Borough's website for their street's specific pickup dates.
Spring
April to MayDuring spring cleaning, take advantage of the complimentary curbside Household Hazardous Waste and E-Waste program to safely dispose of old paints, chemicals, and broken electronics. Registration is required.
About Plum Waste Management
Unified Borough Trash and Billing System
In Plum Borough, standard residential solid waste and single-stream recycling are managed through an exclusive municipal contract with County Hauling [1.1.3]. While the physical pickups are handled by the hauler, the billing is uniquely administered by the Keystone Collections Group on behalf of the borough. This unified service covers single-family homes and small multi-family dwellings with up to four units, ensuring consistent waste management across the community.
Strict Curbside Preparation Rules
Preparation is critical for successful curbside collection in Plum. Residents must ensure that all regular household garbage is securely bagged before it goes into the trash cart; loose garbage is considered a health hazard and a major factor in municipal litter. Conversely, recycling must remain completely loose and unbagged. Carts need to be positioned within five feet of the curb or road edge no later than 5:00 a.m. on the scheduled service day, keeping the right-of-way clear.
Convenient Weekly Bulk Allowances
Dealing with large, cumbersome items is made easy with Plum's weekly bulk waste allowance. Every eligible household is permitted to set out one bulk item per week alongside their regular trash at no extra charge. This includes furniture, large appliances, and wrapped mattresses. For environmental and safety reasons, any item containing refrigerants—such as window AC units or refrigerators—must have the Freon professionally removed before collection.
Specialized Curbside HHW and E-Waste Program
Plum Borough partners directly with County Hauling to offer a complimentary curbside collection program specifically for hard-to-recycle items, such as covered electronics and household hazardous waste (HHW). Residents must pre-register online for this service. Once registered, the hauler mails out a specific collection kit—complete with a containment bag, instructions, and a zip tie for liquid chemicals—ensuring that hazardous materials are securely packaged before they are placed at the curb.
Sanitation Discounts for Seniors and Snowbirds
Understanding that utility costs can burden fixed-income households, Plum Borough provides specialized discount applications for sanitation services. Senior citizens, low-income families, and even seasonal 'snowbirds' who travel during the winter months can apply for rate adjustments or temporary service pauses. These discount forms are readily accessible online or through the borough's Public Works department, helping make mandatory waste collection equitable for all residents.
Drop-off Facilities
Plum Borough Municipal Building
2000 Mike Thomas Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15239
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I contact if my trash wasn't picked up in Plum Borough?
If you have questions or complaints concerning garbage and recycling services, or if a pickup was missed, you should contact County Hauling directly at 1-888-883-0333. For billing inquiries, you must contact Keystone Collections Group at 724-978-0300.
How many bulk items can I throw away each week in Plum?
Residents are allowed one bulk item per week at no extra charge. This can include items like a couch, washer, or stove. Note that mattresses must be wrapped in plastic, and any item like a refrigerator must have the Freon professionally removed first.
Do I need to bag my garbage and recycling?
All regular household garbage must be securely bagged before being placed in the trash cart to prevent litter. However, recycling should never be bagged; it must be placed loose in your recycling cart.
How do I recycle old TVs, computers, and paint in Plum?
Plum offers a complimentary Curbside Electronics and HHW Recycling Collection through County Hauling. You must register for this service online. Once scheduled, the hauler will mail you a collection package, including a bag and zip tie, so you can safely place your hazardous items at the curb.