Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Williamsport
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.
Varies by private hauler Bin (Trash)
Residents must establish an independent contract with a private solid waste hauler (e.g., WM or Bower Disposal). Cart sizes, bagging rules, and weight limits depend entirely on your chosen provider.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
5-gallon buckets (County) or Single-Stream Cart (Private) Bin (Recycling)
For free County curbside pickup, use 5-gallon buckets separated by material (no bags) at the curb by 7:30 AM. For single-stream, use the dedicated cart provided by your private hauler.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles (clear, brown, green)
- ✓Steel, tin, and aluminum cans
- ✓Plastics #1-#7, paper, and cardboard (only if using private single-stream)
Yard Waste Bin
Drop off at 1550 W. Third Street using your registered $15 Key Card. Alternatively, place debris at the curb during the designated Spring Yard Debris Pick-up (April-May) and Fall leaf removal.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaf waste
- ✓Vegetative material
- ✓Trees, branches, and trimmings (under 20 inches diameter, cut to less than 6 feet)
- ✓Garden plantings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Varies by private contract
Placement
Follow the precise placement guidelines and weight limits stipulated by your private hauling contract.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large household goods
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
Fees for bulk item disposal are determined entirely by your private solid waste hauler and are usually billed separately from your standard subscription.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Since residential trash is collected by independent private haulers, holiday delays vary by company. However, most major haulers like Waste Management observe a standard one-day delay for the remainder of a holiday week.
Yard Waste Exception
The City's Brush/Mulch Recycling facility at 1550 W. Third Street generally operates Monday through Friday (7:15 AM - 3:15 PM) but is closed on all city-observed holidays.
Always verify your specific holiday collection schedule directly with your subscribed private solid waste hauler.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Grass and Stumps Out of the Mulch Pile
The City of Williamsport's Brush/Mulch Recycling Collection area has strict rules on prohibited items. You cannot bring grass clippings, tree stumps, rocks, dirt, or lumber to the facility. Grass clippings must be handled via your private trash hauler or composted privately.
No Plastic Bags for Free County Recycling
If you are utilizing the free Lycoming County curbside recycling pickup for glass and cans, never place your items in plastic grocery bags. You must place them loosely into distinct 5-gallon buckets (one for clear glass, one for tin cans, etc.).
Only Rain Down the Drain
When clearing yard waste or taking out the trash, ensure no debris, grass clippings, or chemicals are swept into the city's storm drains. Stormwater pollution is a major focus for Williamsport, and dumping waste into drains is strictly illegal.
Seasonal Information
Spring
Mid-April - Late MayThe City Public Works department typically launches its annual Spring Yard Debris Pick-up during this window. Residents should monitor the city website or local news for the exact collection dates in their specific neighborhood.
Autumn
October - NovemberBecause it is illegal to throw leaves in the trash, the city conducts targeted Fall Leaf Removal sweeps. Keep leaf piles free of hidden rocks and heavy branches, which can damage the municipal collection equipment.
Winter
December - MarchSnow and ice removal from sidewalks is strictly enforced by City Ordinance. While the Public Works department plows the streets, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to clear their adjacent sidewalks to allow safe pedestrian passage.
About Williamsport Waste Management
Navigating Williamsport's Private Hauler System
Unlike municipalities that operate their own sanitation fleets, the City of Williamsport relies entirely on a private subscription system for residential garbage collection. Because Williamsport is a mandated community under Pennsylvania Act 101, all homeowners and businesses are legally required to properly dispose of their refuse. Residents must independently research, select, and contract with a licensed private solid waste hauler—such as Waste Management or Bower Disposal—to establish their weekly curbside trash and bulk item pickup schedules.
The $15 Key Card for the Brush and Mulch Facility
To combat illegal dumping from out-of-town users, the City of Williamsport implemented a high-tech security gate at its Brush and Mulch Recycling Collection area, located at 1550 West Third Street. City residents who wish to drop off branches, sticks, and garden plantings must first visit the Public Works department to register for an annual $15 Key Card. You will be required to present your driver's license and vehicle registration to prove residency, ensuring the facility's free, single-grind mulch remains an exclusive benefit for locals.
Mandated Leaf Separation and Spring Pickups
Under municipal ordinance, Williamsport residents are strictly prohibited from mixing leaf waste into their standard household trash. To assist residents with this mandate, the Public Works Department conducts a specialized Spring Yard Debris Pick-up—typically running from mid-April through late May—as well as comprehensive fall leaf removal routes. During these seasonal sweeps, the city actively clears organic debris, keeping neighborhoods clean and preventing clogs in the local stormwater infrastructure.
Three Distinct Options for Residential Recycling
Williamsport offers a highly flexible, multi-tiered approach to recycling. First, residents can utilize a free, limited curbside collection provided by Lycoming County, which exclusively picks up color-separated glass, steel, and aluminum cans in 5-gallon buckets. Alternatively, residents can pay their private waste hauler for a convenient, commingled single-stream recycling cart that accepts paper, cardboard, and plastics #1-7. Finally, for those who prefer to self-haul, a 24-hour County drop-off recycling site is available right in the city on West Third Street.
Drop-off Facilities
City of Williamsport Brush/Mulch Recycling Site
1550 West Third Street, Williamsport, PA 17701
Materials Accepted
Lycoming County Resource Management Services (Landfill)
447 Alexander Drive, Route 15, Montgomery, PA 17752
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of Williamsport provide municipal trash collection?
No. The City of Williamsport does not have a municipal sanitation fleet for household garbage. Residents are legally mandated to independently hire and subscribe to a private solid waste hauler, such as Waste Management or Bower Disposal, for their weekly refuse service.
How do I drop off yard waste at the city facility?
To combat illegal dumping, the Brush/Mulch facility at 1550 W. Third Street uses a security gate. City residents must fill out a registration form, show their driver's license and vehicle registration, and pay a $15 annual fee to receive a Key Card for facility access.
Can I recycle at the curb for free in Williamsport?
Yes, but it is limited. Lycoming County provides a free curbside collection service exclusively for glass bottles, tin/steel cans, and aluminum cans. You must use your own 5-gallon buckets (one for each material type) and have them at the curb by 7:30 AM. For single-stream recycling (plastics, paper, cardboard), you must pay your private hauler.
Are grass clippings accepted at the city mulch pile?
No. Grass clippings, dirt, rocks, and tree stumps are explicitly prohibited from the City of Williamsport's Brush/Mulch Recycling Collection area. Grass clippings must be bagged and thrown away via your private trash hauler or composted on your own property.