Trash & Recycling in Reading, PA

If you live in Reading or are thinking about moving there, trash & recycling are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Reading has 8 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of trash & recycling, and some of them might surprise you.

Dumpster Rules

Reading requires a Solid Waste Division permit for any permanent dumpster and bars large roll-offs from sidewalks and small dumpsters from streets, with mandatory screening from public view.

Key details: Large dumpster (3+ cu yd): No sidewalk placement. Small dumpster (≤3 cu yd): No street placement. Permitting office: Solid Waste Division. ID marking height: 3 inches minimum.

Placing a dumpster without the required Solid Waste Division permit, or violating the sidewalk/street size restrictions, draws a fine of $100-$1,000 per day and may lead to impoundment of the dumpster at the owner's cost.

Recycling Requirements

Every person and property in Reading must source-separate and recycle designated materials under §496-204, not just put out trash. The list runs from glass, aluminum and paper to yard waste, electronics and tires, and property owners must post the rules for tenants or supply them in the lease. Skipping it draws fines starting at $50 and possible restitution on top.

Key details: Governing section: § 496-204, Mandatory recycling. Minimum recyclables: 3+ single-stream materials plus yard waste, e-waste, tires. First-offense fine: $50-$300 plus costs. Repeat-offense fine: $100-$600 within 5 years. Collection hours: 6:30am-8pm weekdays; 6:30-11:30am Saturday.

A first conviction under §496-212B(2) carries a fine of $50 to $300 plus costs, and if unpaid, up to 30 days in jail; the owner must also show proof of one year of prepaid trash service. A second offense within five years doubles the fine to $100-$600. If the City had to abate the violation itself, it adds 200% of its abatement cost as restitution, and every day a violation continues is a separate offense.

Bin Placement Rules

Reading requires trash carts, toters and dumpsters to sit in the rear of the property out of public view, be screened if visible from the right-of-way, and be set out no earlier than 5 p.m. the day before pickup.

Key details: Location: rear of property, out of ROW view. Curbside start: no earlier than 5 p.m. day before. Curbside end: removed by 8 p.m. collection day. Screening height: max 6 feet, self-latching gate. Fine: $100-$1,000 per day.

Fines run $100 to $1,000 per offense under § 496-107, with each day a violation continues a separate offense; unpermitted receptacles may be presumed abandoned and removed.

Yard Waste Collection

Reading collects leaves, garden residue, shrubbery and tree trimmings as 'yard waste' under §496-201, but only in 30-gallon biodegradable Kraft paper bags and only on request. Grass clippings are excluded from the definition entirely. Residents enrolled in municipal collection must call the City to schedule a pickup rather than expect an automatic weekly stop.

Key details: Definition: Leaves, garden residue, shrubbery, tree trimmings only. Excluded: Grass clippings are not yard waste. Required bag: 30-gallon biodegradable Kraft paper bag. How to get pickup: Must request service from the City. Governing sections: § 496-201; § 496-206B(5)(c).

Yard waste violations fall under the same penalty structure as the rest of Chapter 496: a first offense under §496-212B(2) is a $50-$300 fine plus costs, rising to $100-$600 for a second offense within five years, with up to 30 days in jail if the fine goes unpaid and 200% restitution added if the City has to remove improperly set-out yard waste itself.

Bulk Item Disposal

Reading limits weekly bulky-item pickup to one item under 200 pounds or a construction/demolition bundle under 100 pounds, and requires every licensed hauler to offer at least one annual bulky waste collection.

Key details: Weekly limit: 1 bulky item, 200 lbs max. C&D bundle limit: 100 lbs. Hauler duty: 1 free annual bulky pickup. Freon appliances: must be removed before setout.

Exceeding the weekly bulky-item limit or a hauler's failure to meet its annual collection duty is a violation of this Part, fined $100 to $1,000 per day under § 496-107.

Illegal Dumping

Dumping solid waste or recyclable material on vacant or unoccupied property in Reading is a quality-of-life ticket offense, starting at $25-$50 and rising to $100-$250 for repeat offenses within twelve months.

Key details: Violation code: QOL.003. First offense fine: $25 to $50. Repeat offense fine: up to $250. Who can ticket: police, code officers.

First offense: $25-$50 ticket. Second offense within 12 months: $50-$100. Third and subsequent offenses: $100-$250, plus the City's abatement and cleanup costs billed to the owner.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Reading actively enforces its illegal dumping requirements.

Pickup Rules & Schedules

Reading collects solid waste and recycling 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 6:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays, with no Sunday collection and blocked hours on ten downtown streets.

Key details: Weekday hours: 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.. Saturday hours: 6:30-11:30 a.m.. Sunday: no collection permitted. Restricted streets: 10 downtown streets, rush-hour blackout.

Collecting outside the permitted hours or on a blocked street during rush windows is a violation of this Part, fined $100 to $1,000 per day under § 496-107.

Collection Schedule

Every property owner in Reading must have trash and recycling service, either through the City's municipal program or a licensed hauler, and collection is limited to set weekday and Saturday hours.

Key details: Weekday collection hours: 6:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.. Saturday collection hours: 6:30-11:30 a.m.. Sunday collection: Not permitted. Service required from: Licensed hauler or the City.

Failing to have solid waste service in place, or collecting outside permitted hours, is a summary offense enforced under Chapter 496 Part 2, with fines from $50-$300 for a first offense and $100-$600 for repeat offenses within five years.

The Bottom Line

Reading's trash & recycling rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Reading is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Reading's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.