Trash & Recycling in Reading, PA (2026)
6 verified trash & recycling rules for Reading, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Effective January 4, 2021, the City of Reading administers a single citywide residential waste-collection program contracted to Republic Services for all properties with six or fewer dwelling units. Collection runs Monday through Friday on assigned routes (excluding observed holidays). Each residential unit is permitted up to four 55-gallon bags or equivalent volume in carts per collection day; bags must be securely closed. Trash and recycling may be placed at the curb no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day before collection, and bins must be removed from the curb after pickup. Service is billed through the City utility statement.
Reading Pickup Rules: Citywide Curbside Program (Republic Services Contract); Monday-Friday Routes; 4-Bag Limit
Some RestrictionsBin Placement Rules
Reading's Quality of Life ordinance QOL.013 at Codified Ordinance Chapter 180, Part 12 prohibits storage of trash and recycling containers in the front of the property. Bins must be kept at the rear of the lot (or in an enclosed side yard) between collections. The placement window opens at 5:00 p.m. the day before scheduled collection and closes when bins are removed after pickup. Bins themselves must be durable, watertight, and equipped with a tight-fitting cover; the City-issued recycling bin remains City property assigned to the address.
Reading Bin Placement: Rear-of-Property Storage Required; Curb Window Opens 5:00 p.m. Prior Evening (QOL.013)
Some RestrictionsBulk Item Disposal
Each Reading residential unit on the citywide curbside program is entitled to one bulky item per week at no additional charge, set out with the regular trash on the unit's collection day. Mattresses and box springs must be completely wrapped in plastic before set-out. Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and other Freon-containing equipment will not be collected unless they have been professionally evacuated and bear a tag certifying refrigerant removal. Excessively large or heavy items are excluded - residents must use a private hauler. The free Tire Collection program accepts up to 4 non-rim passenger tires per pickup with an annual cap of 12 tires per household.
Reading Bulk Disposal: One Bulky Item Per Week Curbside; Mattresses Must Be Plastic-Wrapped; No Freon Without Tag
Few RestrictionsRecycling Requirements
Recycling participation is mandatory in Reading under both state and local law. Pennsylvania's Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act (Act 101 of 1988, 53 P.S. §§4000.101 through 4000.1904) requires every municipality with a population of 5,000 or more (including Reading, third-class city, population ~95,000) to implement a curbside recycling program covering at least three of the eight statutory recyclable materials. Locally, the program operates through City-issued recycling bins assigned by address and is enforced via QOL.016 (containers must be approved, clean, and sanitary) and the citywide collection program contracted to Republic Services.
Reading Mandatory Recycling Under PA Act 101 (53 P.S. §4000.1501); City-Issued Bin; QOL.016 Container Standard
Heavy RestrictionsIllegal Dumping
Illegal dumping in Reading is enforced under three layered authorities: (1) locally, QOL.003 prohibits improper disposal or dumping of rubbish or garbage on vacant, unoccupied, or other property, and QOL.005 prohibits throwing, dumping, placing, sweeping, or disposing of waste, trash, garbage, or rubbish on any public sidewalk, alley, street, bridge, public passageway, public parking area, or public property; (2) statewide, the 'Scattering Rubbish' offense at 18 Pa.C.S. §6501 makes dumping or depositing garbage, refuse, or rubbish on public or private property without the owner's consent a summary offense punishable by a fine of $50-$300 (first offense) and increased penalties on subsequent offenses; (3) under PA Act 101 (53 P.S. §4000.1701) civil penalties up to $300 per day per violation apply to municipal-waste dumping.
Reading Illegal Dumping: QOL.003 / QOL.005 Local + 18 Pa.C.S. §6501 Summary Offense + Act 101 Penalties
Heavy RestrictionsYard Waste Collection
Reading's Department of Public Works operates a year-round Yard Waste Collection Program (2026 season begins Monday, March 30, 2026) limited to organic biodegradable material - leaves, hedge trimmings, leafy plants, small sticks and twigs. Yard waste must be placed at the curb in brown biodegradable paper lawn and leaf bags or bundled (for branches); plastic bags are prohibited and will not be collected. Grass clippings are NOT collected curbside - the City directs residents to grasscycle (leave clippings on the lawn). A separate Loose-Leaf Curbside Collection runs each fall (typically October through early December).
Reading Yard Waste: Year-Round Program in Brown Biodegradable Bags Only; No Plastic; No Grass Clippings Curbside
Some RestrictionsLooking for Berks County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Reading city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Berks County →