How Bethlehem Handles Trash & Recycling: A Practical Guide

Bethlehem maintains 100 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with trash & recycling. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Bethlehem falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Bin Placement Rules

Bethlehem Codified Ordinance §1162.08(d) sets a specific bin-placement window: no earlier than 6:00 PM on the day preceding a collection day, containers may be placed anywhere on the property except that they cannot be placed within 5 feet of the public right of way - and containers shall be returned to a place no more than five feet from the front, rear, or sides of a building no later than 8:00 PM on the collection day. Storage rules under §1162.07(b) prohibit front-of-building storage (unless no rear access exists) and prohibit storage on any street, alley, right of way, or vacant lot. Containers must meet the §1162.03 standard (rigid, leak proof, tight lids).

Key details: Earliest Set-Out: 6:00 PM day before collection (§1162.08(d)). Return Deadline: 8:00 PM on collection day (§1162.08(d)). Return Location: Within 5 feet of front/rear/sides of building. Front-of-Building Storage: Prohibited unless no rear/side access (§1162.07(b)(1)). Container Standard: Rigid, leak proof, tight-fitting lids (§1162.03).

Improper bin placement is enforced as a violation of Article 1162 with the §1162.99 fine schedule: $200 or 30 days for the first violation, $500 or 60 days for the second, $1,000 or 90 days for the third and subsequent - each continuing day a separate offense per §1162.99(b). The Director of Community and Economic Development designates enforcement officers and grants them power to issue citations under §1162.99(c). Bethlehem inspectors verify violations and mail tickets to the property owner, who under §1162.12 is equally liable with any tenant for the violation. If the City performs corrective work (such as removing improperly placed containers), the cost plus a 20% penalty under §1162.10 is certified to the City Solicitor and entered as a lien against the property under the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Act, 53 P.S. §7101.

Pickup Rules & Schedules

Bethlehem does not operate a citywide municipal trash contract: under Codified Ordinance §1162.05(a) every owner shall provide for solid waste collection services by a licensed hauler (Waste Management, Republic Services, Symons Sanitation, etc.). Under §1162.09(a) residential collection runs Monday through Saturday between 5:00 AM and 4:00 PM on the south side and 6:00 AM and 4:00 PM on the north side. Recycling collection is administered by the City under Article 933, runs biweekly on assigned 'A' or 'B' days between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM, and is mandatory under Pennsylvania Act 101. The annual recycling fee is $70 per residential unit (Article 933 Annex A).

Key details: Trash Service Model: Owner contracts with licensed private hauler (no city contract). Collection Hours - South Side: 5:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Mon-Sat (§1162.09(a)). Collection Hours - North Side: 6:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Mon-Sat (§1162.09(a)). Recycling Schedule: Biweekly 'A' or 'B' day, 6:00 AM-6:00 PM (Article 933 §933.03). Annual Recycling Fee: $70 per residential unit (Annex A).

Failure to provide for solid waste collection services under §1162.05(a) is a violation of Article 1162 with the §1162.99 fine schedule of $200 first / $500 second / $1,000 third+ - each continuing day a separate offense. Under §1162.05(c), upon probable cause that an owner has failed to provide hauler service, the owner shall within 72 hours of a request provide the City with written confirmation that a hauler had been retained as of the date of the City's request - failure to provide confirmation is itself enforceable. Under §1162.05(b), every owner who is not a full-time resident of the City or who does not reside within a 20-mile radius shall designate a manager who resides within 20 miles (cross-reference to Article 1739.02). Recycling-fee non-payment (§933.10(b)) results in a 10% late penalty. Non-compliance with the biweekly recycling mandate is enforced under §933.99 with $100 first / $250 second / $500 third / $1,000 fourth+ violation fines.

Bulk Item Disposal

Bethlehem does not run a city-administered bulk-pickup program. Because trash collection is contracted directly between each property owner and a licensed private hauler under §1162.05(a), bulky items (furniture, mattresses, appliances) must be scheduled with the hauler at the hauler's bulk-pickup rates. Symons Sanitation requires 24-hour advance notice and charges by weight/volume. The City operates the Theis/Cornfeld Recycling Center at 635 Illick's Mill Road for drop-off of certain materials, and the Yard Waste Facility at 1480 Schoenersville Road for organic waste. Refrigerators and freezers containing Freon require professional evacuation under EPA Section 608 (40 CFR Part 82) before disposal.

Key details: City Bulk Program: None - schedule with private hauler. Symons Sanitation Notice: At least 24 hours in advance; rates vary. Drop-Off - Recyclables: Theis/Cornfeld Recycling Center, 635 Illick's Mill Rd. Drop-Off - Yard Waste: Yard Waste Facility, 1480 Schoenersville Rd. Freon Equipment: EPA Section 608 evacuation required (40 CFR Part 82).

Setting out bulk items without arranging hauler pickup (i.e., leaving an old sofa or mattress at the curb on a regular collection day) is an accumulation violation under §1162.04(a) - 'Owners shall maintain their premises free from any solid waste, garbage, rubbish, and debris except for that which is properly prepared and stored in compliance with this Article' - and is enforceable under §1162.99 at $200/$500/$1,000 per violation. §1162.04(d) separately prohibits storing furniture or materials 'designed, built or manufactured exclusively for indoor living use' on exterior porches or yards (with 48-hour notice before citation under IPMC §308.4 at Article 1733). Burning waste, yard waste, or grass clippings is prohibited by §1162.04(e). Dumping bulky items on a vacant lot or in an alley is illegal dumping under 18 Pa.C.S. §6501 (Scattering Rubbish). If the City performs cleanup of an accumulation, §1162.10 authorizes lien-back of cost plus 20% penalty under the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Act, 53 P.S. §7101.

The rules around bulk item disposal in Bethlehem lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Recycling Requirements

Recycling is mandatory in Bethlehem under both state and local law. Pennsylvania Act 101 of 1988 (Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, 53 P.S. §§4000.101-1904) requires Bethlehem (population ~76,000, third-class city in Northampton and Lehigh Counties) to operate a curbside recycling program. Locally, Article 933 (effective January 7, 2009) implements the state mandate: §933.04 requires all residents to source-separate designated recyclables (glass, plastic #1-7 except Styrofoam, aluminum cans, steel cans, paper, cardboard) and place them in City-provided containers for biweekly curbside collection. The annual recycling fee is $70 per residential or multi-family unit (Annex A). Penalties under §933.99 escalate from $100 to $1,000.

Key details: State Mandate: PA Act 101 of 1988, 53 P.S. §4000.101-1904. Local Ordinance: Article 933 (effective 1/7/2009). Collection Frequency: Biweekly ('A' or 'B' day), 6:00 AM-6:00 PM. Annual Fee (Annex A): $70 per residential unit. Source-Separation Method: Commingled glass/plastic/cans + separate paper container.

Recycling violations are enforced through §933.99 with a graduated fine schedule: $100 first violation, $250 second, $500 third, and $1,000 for the fourth and each subsequent violation - each carrying up to 90 days imprisonment. §933.08 lists unlawful activities: (a) taking recyclables from City containers without authorization; (b) placing non-recyclables in recycling containers; (c) misusing City containers; (d) placing recyclables in trash containers; (e) obstructing City enforcement; (f) knowingly depositing recyclables in a landfill/incinerator; (g) any hauler service mixing recyclables with trash; (h) violating or assisting in any violation. Non-payment of the $70 annual recycling fee (§933.10) triggers a 10% late penalty. Multi-family landlords contracting with private recycling haulers must file annual recycling reports with the Bethlehem Recycling Bureau by January 30 each year under §933.05(e) and §933.06(e). Under Pennsylvania Act 101 (53 P.S. §4000.1701), Bethlehem may impose civil penalties up to $300 per violation per day for non-compliance with the mandatory-recycling provisions.

This is one of the stricter rules in Bethlehem's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Yard Waste Collection

Bethlehem regulates yard waste differently from many PA cities. Under §1162.04(g) of the Codified Ordinances, grass clippings are NOT permitted to be disposed of with yard waste or solid waste - all grass clippings must be mulched into the yard from which they were collected (grasscycling). Under §1162.04(f) the City collects leaves in the fall and collects other yard waste (leaves, garden residue, shrubbery, tree trimmings, twigs - but NOT grass) curbside twice per year at intervals set by the Department of Public Works. Year-round drop-off is available at the Bethlehem Yard Waste Facility, 1480 Schoenersville Road, Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 AM-2:45 PM (closed December, February, March). Acceptable bags: loose or brown biodegradable paper bags only.

Key details: Grass Clippings Rule (§1162.04(g)): Mulch on lawn; NEVER in yard waste or trash. Curbside Yard Waste Collection: Twice per year (§1162.04(f), §933.03). Drop-Off Facility: 1480 Schoenersville Rd, Bethlehem 18018. Drop-Off Hours: Tue-Sat 9:00 AM-2:45 PM (closed Dec/Feb/Mar). Acceptable Containers: Loose or brown biodegradable paper bags ONLY (no plastic).

Putting grass clippings out with yard waste or trash is a violation of §1162.04(g) enforceable under §1162.99 at $200 first / $500 second / $1,000 third+ - each day a separate offense. Burning yard waste, grass clippings, or solid waste on premises is prohibited by §1162.04(e) and is separately enforceable under Pennsylvania DEP Air Quality regulations at 25 Pa. Code Chapter 129. Yard waste in plastic bags is not collected - it contaminates the City's composting stream. Multi-family complexes placing yard waste at the curb violate §933.05(d), with §933.99 fines of $100/$250/$500/$1,000. Non-residents using the Yard Waste Facility violate the City's residents-only access rule. Mixing leaves and yard waste with regular solid waste (rather than keeping them separate) violates §1162.04(f). If the City performs cleanup, the cost plus 20% under §1162.10 is liened to the property under 53 P.S. §7101.

Illegal Dumping

Illegal dumping in Bethlehem is enforced under three layered authorities: (1) locally, §1162.07(a) prohibits any person from depositing, throwing, placing, or causing to be deposited any solid waste on any street, private alley, vacant lot, public area, or waterway within the City - enforceable under §1162.99 at $200/$500/$1,000 per violation; (2) statewide, the 'Scattering Rubbish' summary offense at 18 Pa.C.S. §6501 covers dumping or depositing garbage, refuse, rubbish, dead animals, junk, sweepings, or ashes on public or private property without the owner's consent, with first-offense fines of $50-$300 plus up to 90 days; (3) PA Solid Waste Management Act (35 P.S. §6018.101) and Act 101 (53 P.S. §4000.1701) civil penalties up to $300 per day per violation for municipal-waste dumping.

Key details: Local Dumping Prohibition: Codified Ordinance §1162.07(a) (Article 1162). Local Penalty (§1162.99): $200 / $500 / $1,000 + up to 90 days. State Summary Offense: 18 Pa.C.S. §6501 (Scattering Rubbish). First-Offense State Fine: $50-$300 + up to 90 days imprisonment. Act 101 Civil Penalty: Up to $300/day/violation (53 P.S. §4000.1701).

Local §1162.07(a) and §1162.07(b)(3) violations are issued as citations under §1162.99 with the standard $200 first / $500 second / $1,000 third+ schedule - each day a separate offense under §1162.99(b). Subsequent or aggravated offenses may be filed as summary criminal citations under 18 Pa.C.S. §6501 ('Scattering Rubbish') before the District Justice, with first-offense fines of $50-$300 plus up to 90 days' imprisonment and subsequent offenses up to $1,000. Dumping in connection with operating an unlicensed waste-hauling business or in volumes that constitute solid-waste disposal triggers the Solid Waste Management Act (35 P.S. §6018.101) and Act 101 (53 P.S. §4000.1701) civil-penalty regime with daily penalties up to $300 per violation. Knowingly depositing recyclables in a landfill is a separate §933.08(f) violation with §933.99 fines of $100/$250/$500/$1,000. The City also pursues cost-recovery under §1162.10 (engaging labor and materials to clean up, plus 20% penalty) and the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Act, 53 P.S. §7101, for clean-up on City-owned or vacant property.

Compared to other cities, Bethlehem takes a harder line on illegal dumping. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Bethlehem is tougher than many cities when it comes to trash & recycling. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Bethlehem, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Bethlehem's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.