Trash & Recycling in Erie, PA (2026)
6 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 operates city-run residential refuse collection through the Bureau of Refuse and Recycling (Department of Public Works) under the Third Class City Code (53 P.S. §35101 et seq.) and Article 951 of the Codified Ordinances. Pickup is weekly and occurs at night on a route map maintained by the Bureau. All compliant receptacles and securely bagged refuse must be at the curbside or edge of the street on the designated collection night, and nothing may be placed out more than 24 hours before the collection day. Service is limited to residential properties of four units or fewer.
Erie Trash Pickup: City-Run Weekly Service, Night Collection, No Set-Out Earlier Than 24 Hours Prior
Some RestrictionsBin Placement Rules
Article 951 of the Codified Ordinances directs householders to deposit compliant receptacles, or securely bagged refuse, at the curbside or edge of the street on the designated weekly collection night - not in the cartway, not blocking sidewalks, and not against fire hydrants or signs. The City's Bureau of Refuse and Recycling additionally instructs residents to keep set-outs away from parked vehicles and obstructions so collection trucks can access the material, and to remove containers promptly after pickup. Set-out cannot precede pickup by more than 24 hours.
Erie Bin Placement: Curbside or Edge of Street on Collection Night; Clear of Parked Cars; Remove Promptly
Some RestrictionsBulk Item Disposal
Erie offers free curbside bulk pickup to its residential refuse customers through the Bureau of Refuse and Recycling. Residents may schedule 1-3 large items per regular refuse night by calling 814-870-1550 (weekdays 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) at least 72 hours in advance, or by scheduling online; a 6-digit confirmation number is required and pickups may be scheduled up to two weeks ahead. Furniture (couches, chairs, mattresses) is accepted; large appliances, automotive parts, electronics, hazardous materials, and construction debris are not. Carpet must be cut into 4-foot sections and rolled (max 4 rolls); glass must be boxed and labeled.
Erie Bulk/Large Item Pickup: Free for Residential Customers, Schedule via 814-870-1550 with 6-Digit Confirmation; Appliances Excluded
Some RestrictionsRecycling Requirements
Erie's mandatory recycling program is codified at Article 958 of the Codified Ordinances (Separation of Recyclables), enacted under the Third Class City Code (53 P.S. §35101 et seq.) and the Pennsylvania Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act of 1988 (Act 101, 53 P.S. §4000.101 et seq.) which mandates curbside recycling for every municipality with population over 10,000. Residents must separate newspapers, office paper, magazines, #1 and #2 plastic bottles/jugs/jars with screw-top lids, flattened corrugated cardboard and paperboard, and metal food and beverage cans. Curbside set-out is in clear plastic bags or blue bins (blue bags no longer accepted) on the regular refuse night.
Erie Mandatory Recycling: Article 958 Separation Required Under PA Act 101 (53 P.S. §4000.101); Clear Bags or Blue Bins
Heavy RestrictionsIllegal Dumping
Illegal dumping in Erie is enforced under three layered authorities: (1) 18 Pa.C.S. §6501 (Scattering Rubbish), the Pennsylvania criminal statute making it a summary offense to deposit waste paper, ashes, household waste, glass, metal, refuse, or rubbish onto roads, streets, alleys, railroad rights-of-way, the land of another, or waters of the Commonwealth ($50-$300 fine plus 5-30 mandatory cleanup hours for first offense, third-degree misdemeanor with $300-$1,000 for subsequent offenses); (2) Article 1129's Quality of Life Ticketing Program at $100 per ticket; and (3) the PA Solid Waste Management Act (35 P.S. §6018.101) for larger-scale dumping referred to PA DEP.
Erie Illegal Dumping: 18 Pa.C.S. §6501 Scattering Rubbish ($50-$300 + Mandatory Cleanup Hours); Article 1129 QOL Tickets; M3 for Repeat
Heavy RestrictionsYard Waste Collection
Erie's Bureau of Refuse and Recycling operates a citywide yard-waste composting program covering grass clippings, lawn and leaf waste, and hedge trimmings. Yard waste must be placed in open rigid containers, compost-friendly plastic bags, or brown paper bags at curbside; no item may be set out more than 24 hours before the collection day per Article 951. Leaf collection runs each fall (typically early October through early December). Raking leaves into the street and bagging pet waste or cat litter with leaves are both prohibited. PA Act 101 (53 P.S. §4000.101 et seq.) authorizes the program at the state level.