Trash & Recycling in Harrisburg, PA (2026)
8 verified trash & recycling rules for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
In the City of Harrisburg, dwelling occupants must keep garbage, rubbish and ash receptacles and recycling containers on the premises and outside habitable rooms. Containers can sit on the nearest sidewalk only during the twelve-hour period before the announced collection time, and garbage receptacles cannot be stored within any dwelling.
Trash Container and Set-Out Rules in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 6-309.8
The occupant of every dwelling unit shall store garbage, rubbish and ash receptacles and recycling containers upon the premises and outside the habitable rooms thereof. Such receptacles shall not be stored upon fire escapes, on the streets, sidewalks or other public places, except that during a twelve-hour period prior to the announced time of collection by the Bureau of City Services, all rece...
Bin Placement Rules
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, dwelling occupants must store garbage, rubbish and ash receptacles and recycling containers on the premises and outside habitable rooms. Containers can go on the sidewalk nearest the point of collection only during a twelve-hour period before the announced collection time, and garbage receptacles are never stored inside a dwelling.
Harrisburg PA Trash Cart Placement and Storage Rules
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances §§ 6-309.8 and 9-309.6
The occupant of every dwelling unit shall store garbage, rubbish and ash receptacles and recycling containers upon the premises and outside the habitable rooms thereof. Such receptacles shall not be stored upon fire escapes, on the streets, sidewalks or other public places, except that during a twelve-hour period prior to the announced time of collection by the Bureau of City Services, all rece...
Recycling Requirements
The City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania collects recycling curbside on a regularly scheduled weekly pickup, and participation is mandatory. Businesses, municipal and institutional establishments and community events must source-separate designated recyclables and arrange hauling through the City or a private hauler.
Harrisburg PA Curbside Recycling Requirements
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 9-305.2
§ 9-305.2. Recycling collection. ... A. General provisions. ... All commercial, municipal or institutional establishments and community events/activities are required to source-separate all designated recyclable materials and to provide for transportation of those designated recyclable materials, either through the City or its agents or a private hauler. ... B. Curbside collection. It shall be ...
Illegal Dumping
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, dumping waste anywhere not licensed by the Pennsylvania DEP to receive municipal waste is a Category 1 violation: a fine of $1,000 plus costs, up to 90 days in jail, or both, plus cleanup costs charged to the violator.
Harrisburg PA Illegal Dumping Penalties
Heavy RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 9-309.2
§ 9-309.2. Illegal dumping. No person shall throw, drop, deposit or dump within City limits any waste on public or private property that is not licensed through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to receive municipal waste. No person shall throw, drop, deposit or otherwise disburse any municipal waste in any stream or other body of water in the City. A violation of this pro...
Yard Waste Collection
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, material designated as yard waste or composting material shall not be placed with or disposed of as municipal waste. The Director of Public Works controls disposal days, receiving hours and receptacle type, and burning leaves or tree trimmings is banned.
Harrisburg PA Yard Waste Disposal Rules
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 9-307.3
§ 9-307.3. Composting disposal. ... A. General provisions. Materials designated as yard waste or composting material shall not be placed with or disposed of as municipal waste. Disposal of composting materials shall be under the direction of the Director DPW. Authority is conferred upon the Director DPW to promulgate rules and regulations concerning the days of operation, receiving hours, and t...
Dumpster Rules
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a newly placed solid waste dumpster must be enclosed on three of four sides, and any dumpster over 15 cubic feet must stay at least 15 feet from a dwelling unit under Zoning Code § 7-331.12. Roll-off and similar temporary units need a special permit under Chapter 8-309.
Dumpster Enclosure and Placement Rules in Harrisburg, PA
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 7-331.12
A. Any newly placed solid waste dumpster shall be enclosed on three of four sides (not including the side it is to be emptied from) as needed to screen the dumpster from view from public streets and primarily residential uses on abutting lots. The solid waste dumpster shall be adequately enclosed and covered to prevent the attraction of rodents and insects. B. A solid weather-resistant wooden f...
Collection Schedule
In the City of Harrisburg, the City or its agents make periodic curbside collections of municipal waste on a schedule the Director DPW sets in written rules. The chapter leaves collection days, routes and pickup points to that Director, bills the owner of improved property, and exempts vacant property on annual application.
Residential Trash Collection in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 9-303.2
A. General provisions. Collection of municipal waste shall be under the direction of the Director DPW. Authority is conferred upon the Director DPW to promulgate rules and regulations concerning the days of collection, pickup points, routes, and the type of receptacle and conveyance. B. Curbside collection. It shall be the responsibility of the City or its agents to make periodic curbside colle...
Recycling Rules
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, material the Director of Public Works designates as recyclable must be source separated and can never go out as municipal waste. Residents can donate or sell recyclables, but the buyer cannot take them from the curb without written City permission.
Harrisburg PA Recycling Disposal Rules
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 9-305.3
§ 9-305.3. Recycling disposal. A. General provisions. Disposal of recycling shall be under the direction of the Director DPW. Authority is conferred upon the Director DPW to promulgate rules and regulations concerning the days of operation, receiving hours, type of receptacle and conveyance, and the designation of acceptable and unacceptable recycling material. Material which is designated as r...