Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Silver Spring 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.
Penn Waste Mobile Cart Bin (Trash)
All waste must be inside the mobile cart provided by Penn Waste with the lid completely closed. Containers must not exceed 60 lbs. Place curbside by 6:00 AM the evening before or morning of collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-hazardous waste
- ✓Food waste
Large 65-gallon or Small 35-gallon Penn Waste Cart Bin (Recycling)
Single-stream recycling. Keep all recyclable items loose inside the cart. Do not bag your recyclables. Flatten all cardboard boxes before placement.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Newspaper, magazines, and junk mail
- ✓Aluminum, tin, and steel cans
- ✓Clean glass bottles and jars
- ✓Rigid plastic bottles and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam packaging
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Propane cylinders or pressurized tanks
Yard Waste Bin
Collected on three designated seasonal dates per calendar year, plus a post-holiday Christmas tree collection. Grass clippings are not accepted curbside.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush
- ✓Garden trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once per week, by appointment only.
Placement
Place your scheduled bulk item curbside the evening before collection day alongside your standard containers.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large household goods
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and remodeling debris
- ✕ Items too heavy to be lifted by two people
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
- ✕ Hazardous waste
The standard weekly bulk item collection is included under your contract tier, but you must call Penn Waste at 717-767-4456 at least 48 hours prior to schedule it.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Collection days that fall on or after an observed holiday will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that service week.
Yard Waste Exception
If a designated yard waste or bulk collection date coincides with a holiday week shift, adjustments will be noted on the official annual calendar.
Exception: If a holiday lands on a Saturday or a Sunday, there is zero change in service prior to or after the holiday.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Batteries Out of Your Carts
Rechargeable batteries, lithium-ion units, and pressurized tanks (such as propane cylinders, oxygen tanks, or nitrous oxide canisters) can spark fires in collection trucks. Never place them in your trash or recycling bins.
Loose Recyclables Only
Never place your recyclables inside plastic garbage bags before throwing them into your green-lid cart. Plastic bags jam automated sorting facility machinery and cause entire batches to be rejected.
Say No to Curbside Construction Debris
Drywall, lumber, tiles, and heavy remodeling materials will not be collected curbside by Penn Waste. You must arrange for a private dumpster or haul construction waste to an authorized regional facility yourself.
Seasonal Information
Winter
JanuaryPenn Waste provides a dedicated curbside Christmas tree collection once a year on a scheduled date. Trees must be completely free of lights, tinsel, stands, and plastic disposal bags.
Spring through Fall
April to NovemberThe Township self-service recycling and yard waste facility operates daily during extended daylight hours, requiring an annual $30 resident access card to drop off excess brush and organic materials.
Winter
December to FebruaryDuring major Cumberland County winter storms, collection schedules may be adjusted for road safety. Monitor Penn Waste E-News updates for sudden weather delay announcements.
About Silver Spring Township Waste Management
Silver Spring Township's Contracted Waste Program with Penn Waste
Silver Spring Township manages residential solid waste through an exclusive municipal contract with Penn Waste. Residents benefit from a streamlined, automated curbside collection program. Depending on your subscription choice, you are issued specific mobile carts for garbage and recycling. To maintain neighborhood cleanliness across Cumberland County, all household trash must fit securely inside the cart with the lid closed, and containers must be curbside by 6:00 AM on collection day.
Understanding Volume-Based Tiers and Cart Requirements
The township offers flexible service tiers, including regular volume and low-volume quarterly billing options managed through the municipal office. All garbage must go directly into your assigned Penn Waste container; the legacy orange bag system has been completely phased out. If you subscribe to regular unlimited service, you are permitted one additional trash cart if needed, ensuring growing households have ample capacity without resorting to illegal side-bagging.
Scheduling Your Weekly Bulk Item Removals
Disposing of large, unwieldy household goods in Silver Spring Township is exceptionally convenient because you are allowed one bulk item per week. However, regular garbage trucks will not pick up these items. You must proactively contact Penn Waste at least 48 hours in advance at 717-767-4456 so they can dispatch a specialized bulk collection vehicle. Items must be manageable enough for two people to lift safely, and construction debris is strictly excluded.
Accessing the Resident-Only Recycling and Yard Waste Facility
Beyond curbside services, Silver Spring Township maintains a self-service recycling and yard waste facility for local residents. Accessible via an annual renewable access card ($30 per calendar year), this drop-off resource helps you manage seasonal green waste, cardboard overages, and glass recycling outside of standard collection days. Note that grass clippings are prohibited in curbside containers and must be handled via backyard composting or local drop-off guidelines.
Drop-off Facilities
Silver Spring Township Resident Recycling & Yard Waste Facility
Silver Spring Township, PA (Contact Township for exact gate location)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use the orange trash bags in Silver Spring Township?
No. The orange bag system was permanently discontinued as of January 1, 2024. All household refuse must now be placed inside the automated mobile cart provided by Penn Waste.
How do I schedule a pickup for a large piece of furniture?
You are allowed one bulk item per week, but you must contact Penn Waste's customer service team at 717-767-4456 at least 48 hours prior to your collection day. They dispatch a separate truck specifically for bulk items.
Who do I contact if my trash cart was missed on collection day?
For missed pickups, service issues, or to report damaged carts, contact Penn Waste directly at 717-767-4456 and press option 1 for residential customer service. For billing inquiries, contact the Township office at 717-766-0178.
Can I temporarily pause my trash service if I am away from home?
Yes. Participation in the weekly trash pickup can be paused for a maximum of one full quarter (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th quarter) per calendar year. You must contact the Township Administration Office or email [email protected] to request an exemption.