Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Wilkes-Barre
Trash Day
Trash is collected Monday through Friday based on neighborhood: Monday (Downtown, South Wilkes-Barre 1), Tuesday (North End, Heights, Brookside), Wednesday (Mayflower, Rolling Mill Hill, Iron Triangle, Goose Island), Thursday (South Wilkes-Barre 2), and Friday (East End, Parsons, Miners Mills).
Recycling
Collected on your regular trash collection day, alternating weekly between Paper/Cardboard and Cans/Bottles/Plastics (Dual Stream).
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on your regular collection day from early April through late November (up to 5 bins or paper yard waste bags per week).
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM during summer hours (Memorial Day to Labor Day) and by 7:00 AM the rest of the year
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Wilkes-Barre uses a pay-per-bag system rather than a recurring utility bill. Residents purchase $2.00 stickers for standard bags up to 30 lbs or official small 15-gallon blue bags ($1.25 each).
Billing Cycle
Pay-as-you-throw (Per Bag / Sticker)
Accepted Methods
In-Person (purchased at local grocery stores, markets, and City Hall)
Resident's Choice (Bags Must Have Official Sticker) Bin (Trash)
All garbage bags up to 30 lbs must have an official $2.00 city sticker clearly affixed and facing the street. Alternatively, residents may use official small blue bags (up to 15 lbs) which do not require a sticker. Set out by 7:00 AM (6:00 AM in summer).
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
City-Issued Bin or Resident-Purchased 30-Gallon Bin Bin (Recycling)
Dual stream system alternating weekly. Recyclables must be loose in the bin, never bagged. Cardboard must be compacted. Overloaded bins will be left at the curb.
Accepted Items
- ✓Week 1: Paper and flattened cardboard
- ✓Week 2: Plastic bottles (#1 & #2), clear/colored glass, aluminum/steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags of any kind
- ✕Food-soiled materials
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Collected from April through November on your regular trash day. Limit of 5 paper yard waste bags or open-top bins per week. Tree trunks, dirt, and bundled yard waste products will NOT be collected. No plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaf waste
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Garden waste and residue
- ✓Wood waste and sod
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Only during periodically advertised Special Collection events.
Placement
Do not leave bulk items at the curb with a standard garbage sticker. You must wait for the City to announce a Special Collection, or hire a private junk hauler.
Accepted
- ✓ White goods (large appliances) during designated events
- ✓ Tires during specific tire recycling events
Not Accepted
- ✕ Furniture and couches
- ✕ Rugs and carpets
- ✕ Bricks, dirt, and stone
- ✕ General construction materials
Garbage stickers are not valid for bulk items or furniture. Any fees associated with Special Collections (like tire disposal) will be announced prior to the event.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a major holiday falls on a weekday, City Hall closes and DPW routes are typically suspended for the day, shifting collections back. Always check the 'Newsflash' section on the city homepage for exact route modifications.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and dual-stream recycling pickups follow the exact same holiday suspension and delay schedule as the standard garbage routes.
The City provides an updated annual calendar detailing exact recycling weeks and holiday shifts on the Dual Stream Recycling webpage.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
Memorial Day - Labor DayThe DPW shifts to early summer hours. You must place all garbage, recycling, and yard waste at the curb by 6:00 AM to ensure collection and protect workers from the midday heat.
Winter
JanuaryChristmas trees are collected curbside throughout the entire month of January. Ensure all ornaments, lights, tinsel, and plastic disposal bags are entirely removed before placing the tree at the curb.
Spring/Fall
April - NovemberCurbside yard waste collection is active. You are allowed up to five containers or paper bags per week. Outside of these months, yard waste is not collected at the curb.
Local Tips & Community Info
Wilkes-Barre Trash Pickup and Pay-Per-Bag System
The City of Wilkes-Barre Department of Public Works (DPW) provides comprehensive curbside garbage collection for residents living in single-family properties, duplexes, and apartment buildings with fewer than four units. To encourage waste reduction, the city utilizes a 'pay-per-bag' usage system. Residents must purchase official city garbage bags to ensure their household waste is picked up on their designated neighborhood collection day. All trash must be securely placed inside these designated bags, and bins should be set out at the curb prior to the scheduled morning collection time to avoid any missed pickups.
Dual Stream Recycling Schedule
Wilkes-Barre operates on a Dual Stream Recycling program designed to reduce contamination and improve the quality of processed materials. Under this system, recyclable materials are separated into two distinct categories that alternate each week. One week, the DPW will collect paper and cardboard products. The following week, crews will collect plastic bottles, glass containers, and metal cans. It is essential to ensure that all recyclables are free from food and beverage residue. Additionally, recyclables must not be placed in plastic bags; they must be clearly visible to the collection crews in your designated recycling bins.
Seasonal Yard Waste Collection
To assist property owners with landscaping and property maintenance, Wilkes-Barre provides seasonal curbside yard waste collection at no additional cost. The collection season typically begins in late March or early April and runs through late November or early December. Residents are permitted a maximum of five containers or biodegradable paper leaf bags per household each week. Acceptable yard debris includes grass clippings, leaves, and small branches. Branches must be trimmed to manageable lengths, and plastic bags or cardboard boxes are strictly prohibited for yard waste disposal.
Bulk Waste and Special Collections
Disposing of large, cumbersome items in Wilkes-Barre requires a bit of planning. The city occasionally schedules Special Collections throughout the year as the DPW budget and time allow. These special events often target curbside white goods, such as large household appliances, as well as tire recycling drives. Because these collections are not part of the standard weekly schedule, the city advertises them well in advance through official municipal channels. Residents should keep an eye on local announcements to properly dispose of large bulk waste.
Holiday Delays and Missed Pickups
During major federal and state holidays, the Wilkes-Barre trash and recycling schedule is subject to delays. Generally, if a recognized holiday falls on or before your standard collection day, your pickup will be shifted one day later for the remainder of that week. If you experience a missed pickup despite following all pay-per-bag and sorting guidelines, you can contact the Wilkes-Barre Department of Public Works directly to report the issue. Ensuring your bins and bags are placed correctly at the curb by early morning helps prevent most missed collection scenarios.
Drop-off Facilities
Department of Public Works Garage Drop-Off
3 Conyngham Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Materials Accepted
Earth Conservancy
101 S Main St, Ashley, PA 18706 (Main Office) - Check for local compost site access
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wilkes-Barre require special bags for garbage collection?
Yes, Wilkes-Barre utilizes a pay-per-bag system. Residents must place their regular household trash in official city-issued garbage bags for the Department of Public Works to collect it.
How does the Dual Stream Recycling work in the city?
Dual Stream Recycling means you alternate your materials weekly. One week you will put out paper and cardboard, and the next week you will put out plastics, metal cans, and glass. Do not put recyclables in plastic bags.
What is the limit for yard waste pickup in Wilkes-Barre?
During the yard waste collection season (spring through late fall), residents are limited to 5 bins or biodegradable paper leaf bags per household. Plastic bags cannot be used for yard waste.