Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Susquehanna 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.
Typically green or black (Mobile Cart) Bin (Trash)
All trash must fit inside the mobile cart. No loose bags permitted outside the cart starting in 2026. Weight limit is typically 60 lbs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Styrofoam
Typically designated mobile cart with colored lid Bin (Recycling)
Items must be empty, clean, and dry. Do not bag recyclables; place them loosely inside the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean corrugated cardboard
- ✓Paper and junk mail
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Metal cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food or liquid waste
- ✕Garden hoses
- ✕Medical waste
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Diapers
Yard Waste Bin
Use biodegradable bags or bundle and tie with twine (max 30 lbs per bundle). No grass clippings or dirt permitted.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Branches (max 4 feet in length, 6 inches in diameter)
- ✓Twigs
- ✓Shrub trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One bulk item per week
Placement
Place your scheduled bulk item at the curb by 6:00 AM on your collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses (must be completely sealed in disposable plastic)
- ✓ Box springs
- ✓ Carpet (cut to 48 inches maximum and tied)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Electronics
- ✕ Hazardous liquids
- ✕ Items too heavy for two people to safely lift
One standard bulk item per week is included at no extra charge. Appliances containing Freon (like refrigerators) require a specialized metal truck pickup on Tuesdays, which also must be scheduled with Penn Waste.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a major holiday falls on a weekday on or before your scheduled pickup, collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collections are scheduled on specific dates; check the township calendar to see if holiday weeks impact your scheduled organics pickup.
If an observed holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no change to the weekday curbside collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Tanglers Out of the Cart
Items like garden hoses, extension cords, and holiday string lights are notorious for wrapping around the gears at Penn Waste's sorting facility. Always throw these items in the regular trash.
Loose Recyclables Only
Never put your recyclables inside a plastic garbage bag. Plastic bags cannot be processed by single-stream recycling machinery and usually result in the entire bag being sent to the landfill.
Ditch the Styrofoam
While it technically features a recycling triangle, expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) is strictly prohibited from curbside recycling in Susquehanna Township. It must be placed in your trash cart.
Seasonal Information
Spring & Summer
March - AugustYard waste collection resumes in March. Remember that grass clippings are not accepted in the yard waste stream—consider mulching them into your lawn to feed the soil.
Autumn
September - NovemberLeaf drop season peaks across Dauphin County. Ensure all leaves are packed into compostable paper bags rather than plastic, and take advantage of the yard waste program before it pauses in late November.
Winter
December - FebruaryCentral PA winter storms can severely impact road safety. During heavy snow events, check the Penn Waste website or Susquehanna Township e-news alerts for potential one-day service delays.
About Susquehanna Township Waste Management
Navigating the 2026 Cart-Only Trash Collection System
In early 2026, Susquehanna Township fully transitioned to an automated, cart-based collection system managed by Penn Waste. This modernization means all household garbage must fit completely inside the designated mobile carts provided to residents. Extra bags left on the curb will no longer be collected by the automated trucks. Not only does this streamlined approach keep Dauphin County neighborhoods cleaner by preventing wind-blown litter and deterring pests, but it also improves the speed and safety of the collection routes.
How to Handle Yard Waste Through the Seasons
Maintaining a beautiful yard in central Pennsylvania comes with seasonal organic debris. Fortunately, Susquehanna Township provides a dedicated yard waste collection program running from March through November. Homeowners need to place organic waste—like branches, twigs, and leaves—into biodegradable brown paper bags or tie them securely in bundles. Keep in mind that grass clippings, dirt, tree stumps, and fruits are strictly prohibited from this stream and will be left at the curb if mistakenly included.
The Rules for Free Weekly Bulk Item Pickup
Need to get rid of an old mattress or a broken dining chair? Susquehanna Township residents are entitled to one free bulk item pickup per week on their regular trash day. However, you cannot simply drag it to the curb and hope for the best—you must call Penn Waste's customer service at least 24 hours in advance to schedule the pickup. If your item contains Freon, such as a refrigerator, freezer, or dehumidifier, it requires a specialized Metal Goods truck collection that typically operates on Tuesdays.
Electronics and Specialized Recycling Near Harrisburg
Pennsylvania state law prohibits electronic waste from entering local landfills. Consequently, Penn Waste trucks will actively reject old televisions, computers, and monitors left curbside. Susquehanna Township residents can properly and legally dispose of these electronics by dropping them off at the Dauphin County Recycling Center on South Cameron Street in nearby Harrisburg. The facility operates Monday through Saturday, making it a highly convenient solution for household hazardous waste and hard-to-recycle items.
Drop-off Facilities
Dauphin County Recycling Center
1625 South Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave extra trash bags next to my cart in Susquehanna Township?
No. Following the transition to automated collection in early 2026, Penn Waste strictly enforces a 'Carts Only' policy. Any garbage bags left outside the mobile cart will not be collected by the automated trucks.
How do I throw away an old refrigerator or air conditioning unit?
Appliances containing Freon must be collected by a specialized Metal Goods truck to safely capture the refrigerant. You must call Penn Waste at 717-767-4456 to schedule this removal, which typically happens on Tuesdays.
Are grass clippings allowed in the yard waste bags?
No, grass clippings are specifically banned from Susquehanna Township's yard waste program. You should leave them on your lawn as natural mulch or place small amounts directly in your regular trash cart.
Where can I legally dispose of my old television or computer?
Electronic waste is legally banned from Pennsylvania curbside trash collections. You can drop off electronics safely at the Dauphin County Recycling Center, located at 1625 South Cameron Street in Harrisburg.