Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Upper Moreland 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.
Township-provided cart (95-gallon or 45-gallon) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be bagged and placed inside the Township-provided cart. The cart must be at the curb by 6:30 a.m. with the metal lift bar facing the street and at least 3 feet of clearance from obstacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Cool ashes (sealed in plastic bags, max 1 bag per week)
Township-provided automated recycling cart Bin (Recycling)
Single-stream recycling must be placed loose in the automated cart. Separate cardboard boxes left on the curb will not be collected; all materials must fit inside the closed bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1-7
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Newspaper, magazines, and office paper
- ✓Flattened cardboard (must fit inside cart)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Styrofoam (egg cartons, packing peanuts)
- ✕PVC pipes
- ✕Broken glass or mirrors
- ✕Light bulbs
Yard Waste Bin
Place out by 6:30 a.m. on Mondays. Use biodegradable paper bags (max 50 lbs) or tie branches into 4-foot bundles (max 50 lbs) using only manila/jute twine. Grass is allowed in trash cans with holes in the bottom.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves and pine needles
- ✓Twigs and small branches (under 4 inches in diameter)
- ✓Lawnmower-cut grass
- ✓Vines, weeds, and hedge trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By appointment only
Placement
Permitted metal and appliances are collected on Mondays. Scheduled large furniture and permitted electronics are picked up on your regular trash day.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches, tables, and dressers
- ✓ Mattresses (wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Rugs (cut to 4-foot widths, rolled and tied)
- ✓ Appliances and scrap metal (with paid permit)
- ✓ Electronics (with paid permit)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction or demolition debris (plaster, drywall, roofing)
- ✕ Concrete, bricks, and dirt
- ✕ Automotive parts, tires, and car batteries
- ✕ Hazardous materials (oil-based paint, chemicals)
Free for standard large furniture. Fees apply for appliances, metal items, and electronics via the Bulk Permit Application (processing fees apply to credit card transactions).
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a township-observed holiday falls on your scheduled pickup day, collections are typically pushed back or rescheduled for an alternate day. Residents are encouraged to sign up for Township Text Alerts for real-time schedule modifications.
Yard Waste Exception
When a holiday disrupts the standard trash schedule, the Monday yard waste collection is frequently canceled for that week to allow crews to focus on household refuse recovery.
Always check the Township website's 'News Flash' or Facebook page for specific holiday week schedules, as Upper Moreland actively posts exact makeup dates there.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Recycling
Never bag your recyclables. Plastic bags jam the sorting machinery at the recycling facility. Keep items loose in your automated recycling cart, and return plastic grocery bags to local supermarket drop-offs.
Use the Right Twine for Brush
When bundling branches for Monday yard waste collection, strictly use biodegradable manila rope or jute twine. Nylon rope, plastic ties, or metal wire will not break down in the municipal compost facility and will cause your bundle to be rejected.
Wrap Mattresses and Box Springs
For the health and safety of the sanitation workers, all mattresses and box springs must be completely sealed in protective plastic covers before they will be collected as a large item.
Seasonal Information
Spring/Summer
March - OctoberFrom the third Monday in March to the third Monday in October, lawnmower-cut grass can be placed out for Monday yard waste collection. It must be in Township-approved paper bags or in standard trash cans that have drainage holes drilled in the bottom.
Fall
October - DecemberUpper Moreland Township operates a specialized curbside leaf vacuuming program. Residents are assigned specific leaf collection zones with designated pickup weeks to clear heavy autumn foliage.
Winter
December - JanuaryReal Christmas trees are collected as part of the Monday yard waste program. Ensure all lights, ornaments, and tinsel are removed. Do not place the tree in a plastic disposal bag. Trees may not exceed 9 feet in length.
About Upper Moreland Township Waste Management
Automated Trash Collection in Upper Moreland
Upper Moreland Township utilizes a fully automated trash collection system, serviced by the municipal Public Works Department. Every household is issued a 95-gallon or 45-gallon wheeled cart specifically designed for the sanitation trucks' automated tippers. It is critical that all household solid waste is bagged and fits entirely inside this provided container with the lid closed. Loose garbage, or bags and personal bins placed next to the township cart, will not be collected. Carts must be placed at the curb by 6:30 a.m. on your designated service day with the metal bar facing the street.
Single-Stream Recycling Cart Requirements
To improve efficiency and community cleanliness, the Township mandates that all recyclable materials—including flattened cardboard—must fit inside the township-provided automated recycling container. Setting out separate cardboard boxes, paper bags, or alternative bins is strictly prohibited. Your recyclables should be placed loosely in the cart without plastic bags. Make sure to allow at least three feet of clearance between your recycling cart, trash cart, parked cars, and utility poles so the automated arm can safely grab the bin.
Dedicated Monday Yard Waste Services
Unlike regular refuse, organic yard waste in Upper Moreland is collected exclusively on Mondays. Residents must prepare their yard debris properly to ensure pickup: use Township-approved biodegradable paper bags for loose foliage, or tie branches into bundles using only biodegradable manila rope or jute twine. The Township operates a local composting facility on Terwood Road, which saves tax dollars by keeping organic materials out of landfills and provides free leaf mulch back to the community.
Understanding Large Items vs. Bulk Permits
Disposing of bulky items requires distinguishing between free large item pickups and fee-based bulk permits. General household furniture, like couches or wrapped mattresses, can be collected for free on your regular trash day, provided you call Public Works 24 hours in advance. However, major appliances, metal goods, and electronics require you to purchase a Bulk Permit through the Township's self-service portal or administration building. Most permitted metal and appliance items are collected on Mondays, while e-waste is picked up on regular trash days.
Drop-off Facilities
Upper Moreland Compost Facility
2875 Terwood Road, Willow Grove, PA
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I have a lot of cardboard boxes?
All cardboard must be broken down, flattened, and placed entirely inside your Township-provided automated recycling cart. You can no longer leave separate cardboard boxes or tied stacks on the curb, as the automated trucks cannot collect them.
How do I get rid of an old couch or mattress in Upper Moreland?
Large household furniture like couches or tables can be picked up for free on your normal trash day, but you must call Public Works at 215-659-4070 at least 24 hours in advance to get on the schedule. Mattresses and box springs must be wrapped in plastic.
Does the Township collect old TVs and refrigerators?
Yes, but they require a paid Bulk Permit. You can apply for a permit online through the Township's self-service portal or in person at the administration building. Once permitted, appliances are typically picked up on Mondays, while electronics are collected on your regular trash day.
Can I put grass clippings in my regular trash cart?
No, organic yard waste cannot be mixed with regular trash. Between March and October, you can place lawnmower-cut grass out for the Monday yard waste collection by putting it in biodegradable paper bags or in a standard trash can that has holes drilled in the bottom for drainage.