Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Scranton
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday, with specific pickup days designated by neighborhood route.
Recycling
Collected on the same weekday as your trash, alternating bi-weekly between commingled containers (bottles/cans/plastic) and paper/cardboard.
Yard Waste
Seasonal curbside leaf collection in the fall and Christmas tree pickup in January; regular yard waste drop-off is managed by Public Works.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day (or no earlier than the evening before)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Scranton's annual municipal refuse fee is billed together with city and county real estate taxes through the Single Tax Office.
Billing Cycle
Annual (billed with property taxes, payable in 4 installments)
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In-Person, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
A 10% early payment discount is applied if paid by the discount deadline; hardship deferrals are available for adults 65 and older through the County Tax Claim Bureau.
Any standard color (purchased by resident) Bin (Trash)
Residents must supply their own lidded trash cans, heavily restricted to a maximum size of 32 gallons to ensure safe lifting by city crews. Place out no earlier than the night before pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and packaging
Blue Bin (Plastics/Metals) and Red Bin (Paper/Cardboard) Bin (Recycling)
Do not mix materials. Plastics, metals, and glass must go into the Blue Bin. Paper and cardboard must go into the Red Bin. Collection alternates every other week. Official bins can be picked up at 101 W Poplar St.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers (Blue Bin)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (Blue Bin)
- ✓Aluminum, steel, and tin cans (Blue Bin)
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and paperboard (Red Bin)
- ✓Newspaper, magazines, and copy paper (Red Bin)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics and TVs
- ✕Household garbage
- ✕Leaves and yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Leaves must be placed in brown paper yard bags or city-provided leaf bags. Never mix yard waste with standard garbage. Brush and leaf pickups happen during specific seasonal windows announced by the DPW.
Accepted Items
- ✓Fallen leaves
- ✓Grass clippings (when specified)
- ✓Christmas trees (in January)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (as space permits, often collected on Fridays)
Placement
Place your 1-2 bulk items out on your normal trash day. If DPW crews bypass it to save room for regular garbage, leave the item at the curb—they will likely return on Friday for a bulk sweep.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and sofas
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large pieces of furniture
- ✓ Up to 2 bulky items per week
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions, computers, and tablets
- ✕ Tires and automotive parts
- ✕ Construction materials (drywall, brick, concrete)
- ✕ Hazardous waste or liquid paints
Bulk pickup for standard residential furniture is included in municipal services at no extra charge, provided residents adhere to the 1-2 item limit.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Whenever a city-observed holiday falls on a weekday, all refuse and recycling pick-ups will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Wednesday routes will be collected on Thursday).
Yard Waste Exception
Seasonal leaf and brush collection events also follow this one-day delay structure during major fall holidays like Veterans Day and Thanksgiving.
Because Scranton observes unique local holidays (like Election Day and Easter Monday) that disrupt the collection schedule, residents are strongly encouraged to print the DPW's 12-Month Recycling Calendar.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall
October and NovemberThe city conducts extensive leaf vacuuming and bagged leaf pickups throughout the fall. Residents can pick up free, eco-friendly leaf bags at Weston Field or the DPW headquarters to prepare for these designated collection weeks.
Winter
JanuaryThe DPW typically schedules a specialized Christmas Tree curbside pickup for the month of January. Alternatively, residents can transport bare, un-bagged, and undecorated trees directly to the Lackawanna Recycling Center for free municipal drop-off.
Holidays
Year-RoundScranton DPW observes a high number of municipal holidays, including Easter Monday, Election Day, and Columbus Day. When a holiday occurs, all subsequent trash and recycling pickups for that week are pushed back by exactly one day.
Local Tips & Community Info
Scranton Department of Public Works (DPW) Refuse Operations
The Scranton Department of Public Works takes charge of municipal solid waste for all eligible households within city limits. Instead of a monthly utility line item, property owners are billed an annual refuse fee that funds the weekly collection fleet. This mandatory fee must be paid on time to avoid significant late penalties or legal action from the city's revenue office. Renters should always consult their lease to determine if the landlord covers this yearly charge or if it falls on the tenant.
Container Requirements and Bag Limits
Keeping our streets litter-free requires everyone to properly secure their garbage. You must place your household waste in heavy-duty plastic bags or durable metal and plastic cans with tight-fitting lids. Individual containers or bags cannot exceed 32 gallons in volume or weigh more than 60 pounds. Sanitation crews will leave behind overstuffed cans or ripped bags, so it is your responsibility to ensure everything is tightly bound and placed at the curb no earlier than the evening before your collection day.
Sorting Your Weekly Recycling
Recycling in the Electric City is mandatory and operates alongside your regular refuse pickup. Commingled items like glass, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans must be placed in a clearly marked recycling bin. Cardboard and paper products must be bundled or placed in a separate container to avoid cross-contamination. Keep in mind that plastic grocery bags, greasy food boxes, and electronics are strictly banned from the curbside recycling stream and will cause your bin to be rejected.
Appliance and Large Item Pickups
Replacing a mattress or getting rid of an old television? The standard DPW trucks cannot compact these oversized objects. For large bulk items and electronics, residents must usually coordinate directly with the Department of Public Works and may need to pay an additional fee per item. In some cases, neighborhood cleanup drives occur during the spring, offering a free opportunity to discard furniture, but year-round disposal requires advanced notice and compliance with city ordinances.
Yard Waste and Seasonal Leaf Management
Managing your yard clippings properly keeps Scranton's storm drains clear and prevents localized flooding. Yard waste such as grass trimmings, leaves, and small brush should never be thrown into your standard garbage cans. The DPW provides specific seasonal collection weeks for organic debris. During these designated times, place your yard waste in biodegradable paper bags or open containers. Loose piles in the street will not be collected and could result in a municipal citation.
Inclement Weather and Holiday Schedule Shifts
Northeastern Pennsylvania winters can be brutal, and severe snowstorms frequently disrupt municipal operations. When the mayor declares a snow emergency, garbage and recycling collections are automatically suspended to allow plow trucks to clear the roads safely. Similarly, major federal holidays push the collection schedule back by one full day. Always monitor the official city social media channels or the local news for real-time updates regarding weather-related delays.
Drop-off Facilities
Lackawanna Recycling Center
3400 Boulevard Ave, Scranton, PA 18512
Materials Accepted
Department of Public Works (DPW) Headquarters
101 W Poplar St, Scranton, PA 18509
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How is trash collection billed in Scranton?
Unlike cities that bill monthly, Scranton property owners are required to pay a mandatory annual refuse fee to the city to fund the Department of Public Works' weekly collection services.
What is the weight limit for a trash bag or can?
Each individual trash can or securely tied heavy-duty plastic bag must not exceed 32 gallons in size or weigh more than 60 pounds.
Can I put cardboard in the same bin as my glass bottles?
No. Cardboard and paper products must be bundled separately from commingled recyclables like glass, plastic, and aluminum to prevent cross-contamination at the sorting facility.