Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Upper Providence
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.
Resident provided Bin (Trash)
Trash must be placed at the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on the day of collection. Ensure bins are securely closed to prevent litter and deter wildlife.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Solidified latex paint (lid removed)
Blue (Township-purchased or resident-provided with official sticker) Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be empty, clean, and dry. Materials must be placed loosely in the bin; never bag your recyclables. Free recycling stickers are available at the township building for personal cans.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Clear, green, and brown glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastics #1, #2, and #5
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Office paper, newspaper, and magazines
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and shipping film
- ✕Greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Mixed or soft plastics (#3, #4, #6, #7)
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Light bulbs and broken glass
Yard Waste Bin
Placed out on scheduled Wednesdays. Bagged leaves must be in appropriate yard waste bags. Do not mix yard debris with regular household trash.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Twigs and small brush
- ✓Holiday trees (in January)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One item per week
Placement
Place your single bulk item at the curb before 7:00 a.m. on Thursday (East Side) or Friday (West Side).
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Couches and chairs
- ✓ Mattresses (must be wrapped)
- ✓ Standard large household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions and computers
- ✕ Refrigerators and freezers
- ✕ Air conditioners and dehumidifiers
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste
Standard bulk furniture is free. However, disposing of appliances containing Freon (AC units, refrigerators) or electronics requires calling B&L Disposal directly to pay an extra fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled trash collection falls on a recognized holiday, your garbage will be collected on your next regularly scheduled collection day (e.g., if Monday is a holiday, you wait until Thursday). However, if your recycling collection falls on a holiday, it will be picked up the very next day.
Yard Waste Exception
Wednesday yard waste may be delayed if a major holiday falls during the week; always refer to the township calendar for specific Wednesday adjustments.
Because refuse is collected twice a week, Upper Providence does not shift trash by one day, but rather skips the holiday entirely.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Bin
Never place plastic grocery bags, bread bags, or dry cleaning film in your recycling can. These flexible plastics tangle around the sorting machinery at the facility, causing costly breakdowns. Return them to local grocery store drop-offs instead.
Rinse and Dry All Containers
Before recycling your jars, cans, and plastic bottles, take a moment to rinse out food residue and let them air dry. Liquid contamination can ruin an entire load of clean paper and cardboard during transport.
Avoid Shredded Paper
While office paper and newspapers are highly recyclable, shredded paper is not accepted in Upper Providence's curbside bins. The tiny strips fall through the screens at the recycling plant and cannot be effectively captured or sorted.
Seasonal Information
Summer
JulyPlease be aware that all standard curbside yard waste collections are entirely suspended during the month of July. Plan your landscaping and pruning projects accordingly.
Fall
October - DecemberTo handle the heavy autumn foliage, the township's yard waste schedule increases. Bagged leaves are collected on every Wednesday throughout these three months.
Winter
JanuaryReal holiday trees are collected every Wednesday during the month of January as part of the yard waste program. Ensure all lights, ornaments, and stands are removed prior to placing the tree at the curb.
About Upper Providence Waste Management
B&L Disposal Partnership and Twice-Weekly Routes
In Upper Providence Township (Delaware County), residential waste management is handled through a centralized contract with B&L Disposal. Uniquely, the township retains a robust twice-a-week refuse collection schedule. Residents on the West Side of the township are serviced on Tuesdays and Fridays, while East Side neighborhoods have their garbage collected on Mondays and Thursdays. Homeowners are responsible for directly paying B&L Disposal via a quarterly billing cycle.
Navigating the Weekly Bulk Waste Allowance
Residents benefit from the convenience of disposing of one large, bulky household item per week at no extra charge. This bulk collection specifically takes place on your second scheduled trash day of the week. Therefore, East Side residents must place their bulk item out on Thursday, and West Side residents must place theirs out on Friday. Make sure all items are at the curb by 7:00 a.m. to guarantee pickup.
Specialized Wednesday Yard Waste and Leaf Schedules
Upper Providence maintains a dedicated Wednesday route for organic debris, but the frequency fluctuates throughout the year. General yard waste is collected on the first and third Wednesday of each month, with a notable exception: collection is completely suspended during the month of July. During the autumn season (October through December), crews transition to picking up bagged leaves every single Wednesday.
Drying Out Latex Paint for Regular Disposal
Liquid latex paint is strictly prohibited in both regular trash bins and household hazardous waste (HHW) events across Delaware County. Upper Providence requires residents to solidify leftover paint before disposal. You can achieve this by leaving the lid off to air dry (if less than an inch remains), mixing the liquid with an equal amount of clay-based cat litter, or utilizing a commercial paint hardener. Once the mixture is completely thick and hardened, the can may be placed in your regular garbage.
Drop-off Facilities
Upper Providence Township Building
935 N. Providence Road, Media, PA 19063
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my trash and recycling if there is a holiday?
Because Upper Providence has twice-a-week trash collection, a holiday means you simply wait until your next scheduled trash day (for example, if Monday is a holiday, wait until Thursday). Recycling is different—if a holiday falls on your recycling day, it will be collected the very next day.
When can I throw out a large piece of furniture?
You are permitted to place one large bulk item at the curb per week at no extra charge. This must be done on your second scheduled trash day of the week—Thursday for the East Side, or Friday for the West Side.
Does the township collect yard waste during the summer?
Yes, yard waste is typically collected on the first and third Wednesday of each month. However, all yard waste collection is completely suspended during the month of July, so you will need to hold onto your brush until August.
How do I get rid of an old television or refrigerator?
Televisions, refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners are not covered under your free weekly bulk pickup. You must contact the hauler, B&L Disposal, directly at 484-326-9774 to arrange a special pickup and pay the associated disposal fee.