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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Navigating Williamsport's Waste Hauling Options
Unlike some municipalities with a single universal contract, the City of Williamsport operates under a hybrid system where many households secure their own residential garbage collection through approved private haulers such as Waste Management or Big Mountain Disposal. Securing a reliable provider ensures that your household refuse is removed weekly or bi-weekly depending on your subscription. Homeowners must coordinate directly with their chosen company to establish a collection day, choose container sizes—typically ranging from 64 to 100 gallons—and understand specific route policies.
Container Placement and Curbside Timings
Regardless of which private sanitation company you hire, standard municipal ordinances require proper bin management. Residents should wheel their trash receptacles to the curb no later than 6:00 AM on their designated pickup morning. To maintain clean sidewalks and prevent neighborhood pests, all loose garbage must be firmly secured inside bags before being tossed into the bin. Once emptied, containers should be promptly removed from the curbside and returned to the side or rear of your property by the end of the evening.
Mandatory Recycling and County Collection
Recycling is heavily encouraged and mandated by local ordinances. The City of Williamsport collaborates with Lycoming County to offer a limited curbside recycling program that specifically targets glass bottles, steel cans, and aluminum. However, many private haulers offer single-stream recycling upgrades that accept a wider variety of materials, including cardboard, newspaper, and plastics numbered 1 through 7. Residents should avoid throwing household trash into recycling bins, as contaminated loads are often rejected.
Public Drop-Off Site for Recyclables
For those who generate excess recyclable materials or prefer to manage their own sorting, Williamsport hosts a convenient public drop-off facility. Located at 1550 West Third Street, this municipal site accepts source-separated items, meaning you must sort your cardboard, aluminum, and plastics into designated dumpsters. This is an excellent alternative for residents living in multi-family buildings or those who temporarily accumulate massive amounts of moving boxes.
Brush, Leaf Waste, and Spring Clean-Up
Yard maintenance creates seasonal debris that cannot be mixed with standard household garbage. The city operates a dedicated brush and mulch drop-off center at the same 1550 West Third Street location, open Monday through Friday from 7:15 AM to 3:15 PM. Additionally, Williamsport public works crews typically conduct a special curbside yard debris pickup program running from late April through May, allowing homeowners to easily dispose of accumulated winter yard waste without driving to the drop-off center.
Managing Bulky Disposals and E-Waste
Getting rid of old furniture, mattresses, or broken appliances requires a special pickup request. You must contact your private waste hauler in advance to schedule a bulky freight load, which may incur an extra fee. Pennsylvania state legislation completely bans electronic waste—like old laptops and cathode-ray tube televisions—from entering the regular waste stream. E-waste must be transported to specialized recycling events hosted by the county or dropped off at certified electronic recycling vendors.
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?
While some limited city-run services exist, most residents must set up weekly or bi-weekly trash collection by subscribing to an approved private hauler, such as Big Mountain Disposal or Waste Management.
Where is the Williamsport recycling and brush drop-off center located?
The public drop-off site for separated recyclables, leaf waste, and brush is conveniently located at 1550 West Third Street. It is open on weekdays from 7:15 AM until 3:15 PM.
How do I get rid of an old television in Williamsport?
TVs and computer monitors are banned from regular garbage pickup under Pennsylvania law. You must take your e-waste to a designated Lycoming County electronics recycling event or a certified private e-waste facility.