Trash & Recycling in Erie, PA (2026)
7 verified trash & recycling rules for Erie, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Erie residents cannot leave refuse in the street between collections. Only the City or its licensed contractor may haul residential refuse, garbage must stay curbside on the regular collection day, and nobody may set bags out more than 24 hours before the end of that day.
Erie Trash Pickup: No Early Set-Out, No Tampering
Some RestrictionsCity of Erie, PA Codified Ordinances, Article 951 (Residential Refuse), Sections 951.03 and 951.06
No person shall remove or convey, or cause or permit to be removed or conveyed any residential refuse, recyclables or compost upon or along any public street or other public place in the City. However, the provisions of this section shall not apply to any person in the employ of the City who shall be assigned the work of collection and disposal of any residential refuse, recyclables or compost,...
Bin Placement Rules
Erie requires every household to keep rigid, watertight refuse cans of 3 to 35 gallons with outside handles and a tight-fitting cover, drain and bag garbage before it goes in the can, and set cans or bags at the curb only on the designated weekly collection day.
Erie Garbage Can Rules: 3-35 Gallons, Tight Lid
Some RestrictionsCity of Erie, PA Codified Ordinances, Article 951 (Residential Refuse), Section 951.04
Each receptacle shall be a rigid container, constructed of rust-resistant metal or plastic, shall be watertight, shall contain not less than three nor more than 35 gallons, and shall be provided with outside handles and a tight fitting cover. The cover shall not be removed except for the deposit or removal of refuse. All householders shall drain garbage or other residential refuse of all liquid...
Recycling Requirements
Erie residents must separate recyclables from trash and set them out under the city's mandatory Recovery Program. Landlords of multi-family buildings with more than four units must set up their own on-site collection system for tenants. The city collects recyclables other than leaf waste at least one day each month. Violators face fines of $25 to $300 per offense under Article 958.
Erie Curbside Recycling Program Requirements
Some RestrictionsCity of Erie, PA Codified Ordinances § 958.06 (Separation and Collection)
All persons who are residents of the City shall separate all materials to be recycled from all other municipal solid waste produced at their residences and shall place the same for collection by the City in accordance with the regulations established herein. The owner, landlord or agent of an owner or landlord of a multi-family housing property (more than four dwelling units per structure) shal...
Illegal Dumping
Dumping rubbish, garbage or waste on private, vacant or public property in Erie is a $100 Quality-of-Life ticket under Article 1129, and anyone who can't prove they used a licensed hauler is presumed responsible for the illegal disposal too. Ignore the ticket and the case escalates to a citation worth $300 to $1,000.
Illegal Dumping Fines in Erie
Significant RestrictionsCity of Erie, PA Codified Ordinances § 1129.03 (QOL-3, QOL-6)
QOL-3. Disposal of Rubbish or Garbage/Dumping. Improper or unauthorized disposal of rubbish or garbage or dumping or disposing of rubbish or garbage on private, vacant, unoccupied, or other property. ... QOL-6. Ownership Presumption of Waste, Trash and/or Recyclables for Illegal Dumping/Hauling. ... Any person or business who is unable to show proof that they have legally disposed of any waste,...
Yard Waste Collection
Erie collects leaves from every premises that gets garbage service, but they must go out in open rigid containers at curbside, never mixed with household trash or recyclables. Yard waste is collected separately under its own schedule tied to Ordinance 59-1990.
Erie Leaf Collection: Rigid Containers, Kept Separate
Some RestrictionsCity of Erie, PA Codified Ordinances, Section 951.13 (Collection of leaves) and Section 958.10 (Separation and disposal of leaf waste)
On every premises from which garbage and rubbish are collected, there shall also be a collection of leaves. Such leaves shall be placed in open rigid containers and deposited at curbside. [Section 951.13] ... No resident shall dispose of leaf waste with ordinary household waste or materials to be recycled. Leaf waste shall be separated from other municipal waste generated at homes, apartments a...
Dumpster Rules
Any temporary dumpster placed in Erie, whether on private property, in the public right-of-way, or anywhere else in the City, needs prior City approval under the Quality of Life Ticketing Program. Skip that approval and a Public Officer can write a $100 QOL-10 ticket, with the fine climbing to $300-$1,000 if the case reaches a citation.
Erie Temporary Dumpster Permit Required
Some RestrictionsCity of Erie, PA Codified Ordinances § 1129.03 (QOL-10)
QOL-10. Temporary Dumpster Permit Required. Each temporary dumpster, whether placed on private property, in a public right-of-way, or on any other property of the City, shall obtain prior approval by the City of Erie.
Collection Schedule
Erie runs mandatory weekly residential refuse collection through the Bureau of Refuse and Recycling and bills every dwelling of four units or less a $306.62 annual fee. The Department of Public Works Director sets the actual collection days, times and rules by administrative regulation.
Erie Trash Fee $306.62/Year; Schedule Set by Director
Some RestrictionsCity of Erie, PA Codified Ordinances, Article 951 (Residential Refuse), Sections 951.09 and 951.15
There is hereby imposed a garbage and refuse collection fee of $306.62 per year for each dwelling containing not more than four dwelling units. The collection fee of $306.62 shall be assessed against each dwelling unit and billed on a quarterly basis... The Director of the Department of Public Works, Property and Parks is hereby authorized and empowered to establish and promulgate regulations i...