Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Upper Allen 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.
Provided by Republic Services (Blue/Varies) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be placed at the curb after 6:00 PM the night before pickup. The limit is 1 cart plus 3 extra bags (not totaling more than 144 gallons). Extra bags must be prepaid.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household refuse
- ✓Small, bundled brush (under 6-ft lengths)
- ✓Hedge trimmings, vines, and long grasses
- ✓Poison ivy and typical yard plants
Provided by Republic Services (Green/Varies) Bin (Recycling)
Use the 64-gallon cart provided. Do not bag your recyclables; let them sit loose inside the container to prevent sorting facility jams.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (rinsed)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Standard household plastics
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
For weekly trash, small brush must be cut to 6-foot lengths, tied into 40-pound bundles. For the annual Township pickup, piles must not exceed 3 feet high or 10 feet wide.
Accepted Items
- ✓Tree limbs (max 4 inches in diameter)
- ✓Shrubbery and clean branches
- ✓Leaves (during fall collection only)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One large item per week
Placement
Items must be safely prepared: glass must be taped, liquids drained, and items exceeding 8 feet must be broken down and bundled.
Accepted
- ✓ Washers and dryers
- ✓ Refrigerators and stoves
- ✓ Dishwashers and hot water heaters
- ✓ Air conditioners
- ✓ Mattresses (must be wrapped if stained/bedbugs)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Railroad or landscaping ties
- ✕ Pianos and organs
- ✕ Televisions, computers, and e-waste
- ✕ Building materials (garage doors, PVC, gazebos)
- ✕ Propane tanks
The standard bulk collection of one item per week is included, but failing to pre-schedule or exceeding limits may incur extra fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Republic Services generally observes major national holidays. If a holiday falls on a weekday before or on your scheduled pickup, collections for the remainder of the week are delayed by one day, ending with Saturday routes.
Yard Waste Exception
The Township's seasonal leaf and brush collection crews also pause for recognized municipal holidays. Consult the Public Works schedule to see which zones are adjusted during holiday weeks.
Always ensure your carts are still placed out the night before your newly adjusted collection day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Stones Out of Yard Debris
When raking up leaves or bagging small twigs for regular trash collection, ensure no rocks or stones make their way into the bags. Stones cause severe damage to municipal chipping equipment and can become dangerous projectiles.
Protect Drivers from Broken Glass
If you are disposing of mirrors, windows, or bulk glass items, the material must be thoroughly wrapped or heavily taped to prevent shattering and protect Republic Services drivers from lacerations during handling.
Deter Pests with Vinegar
Upper Allen Township recommends sprinkling a small amount of household white vinegar inside your trash bags before tying them securely. This effectively masks food odors and deters local wildlife from tearing into your bins overnight.
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MayUpper Allen's Public Works conducts a highly anticipated, one-time annual curbside brush pickup. Collection rolls sequentially through Zones 1 to 6. Ensure limbs are neatly stacked with cut ends facing the roadway.
Fall
October - DecemberThe annual Fall Leaf Collection circulates through the township daily from early October through mid-December. Rake leaves to the curb edge, ensuring they do not block storm drains or contain twigs and rubbish.
Summer/Winter
August, September, November, DecemberThe Township hosts intermittent brush drop-off days located directly behind the municipal building at 100 Gettysburg Pike. These events run from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM for residential debris.
About Upper Allen Township Waste Management
Upper Allen Township Residential Waste Overview
Upper Allen Township, located in Cumberland County, manages its curbside trash and recycling through a centralized contract with Republic Services. Residents must place their bins out after 6:00 PM the evening before their designated collection day. To help mitigate the rising costs of waste management, the Township emphasizes proper sorting and limiting total household output to standard cart volumes, with strict penalties for unauthorized dumping.
Republic Services Cart Sizes and Weekly Limits
Every household in Upper Allen is provided with standard bins, typically a 96-gallon cart for household refuse and a 64-gallon cart for single-stream recycling. If you prefer a smaller footprint, you may request a 64-gallon or 32-gallon trash cart by calling Republic Services directly, though the annual fee remains identical. Crucially, your weekly garbage limit is capped at one cart plus up to three securely tied bags, not exceeding 144 gallons in total.
How to Handle Yard Debris and Spring Brush
Disposing of lawn clippings, vines, and minor hedge trimmings in Upper Allen is simple: place these small vegetative items directly into your regular trash bags (limit 3 bags per week alongside your cart). For heavier tree limbs and branches, residents rely on the Township's annual curbside brush pickup spanning April to May, or they can deliver organic debris to the designated drop-off events held at the Township Building on Gettysburg Pike throughout late summer and fall.
Weekly Bulk Appliance Pickup Rules
Upper Allen grants residents the convenience of disposing of one large bulk item or household appliance per week. However, this is not an automatic service. You are strictly required to pre-schedule your large item by calling 1-800-210-9675 ahead of your regular collection day. Note that items excessively long (over 8 feet) or extremely heavy (exceeding 75 pounds) may require special disassembly or prior approval from the hauler.
Drop-off Facilities
Upper Allen Township Building (Brush Drop-Off Site)
100 Gettysburg Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a smaller trash can if I don't generate much waste?
Yes. Republic Services issues standard 96-gallon carts for trash, but if you find it too large, you can request a 64-gallon or 32-gallon cart by calling 1-800-210-9675. Keep in mind that the annual fee for the service remains the same regardless of cart size.
Does Upper Allen Township pick up electronics at the curb?
No. Televisions, computers, and related electronic accessories are legally prohibited from curbside bulk trash collection in Pennsylvania. These items must be taken to a specialized e-waste recycling facility.
How do I schedule a bulk appliance pickup?
You are permitted one bulk item per week, but you must arrange the pickup ahead of time. Call Republic Services at 1-800-210-9675 to notify them of your item so the correct truck is dispatched on your normal service day.
What should I do with small hedge clippings and weeds?
Small yard debris, such as hedge clippings, long grass, vines, and poison ivy, should be placed directly inside your standard garbage cart or sealed in a trash bag. These items count toward your weekly limit of 1 cart plus 3 bags (max 144 gallons).