Trash & Recycling in Reading, PA (2026)
8 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
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.
Reading Trash and Recycling Collection Hours
Some RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 496-205B(2), B(3)
All solid waste and designated recyclable materials shall be collected between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; 6:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays. No collection shall be permitted on Sundays. No licensed hauler shall collect solid waste and/or designated recyclable materials between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and again between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and ...
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.
Reading Trash Cart Placement and Set-Out Rules
Some RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 496-103A(1)(a), E
Carts, toters and receptacles shall be located in the rear of properties and may not be visible from the public right-of-way. No permit is required for these receptacles. ... Carts, toters and receptacles may be placed temporarily at curbside directly in front of the property being serviced no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day before and shall be removed from the public right-of-way by 8:00 p.m. t...
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.
Reading Bulky Waste and Large-Item Pickup
Some RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 496-206B(2)(b); § 496-210D
Each unit enrolled in the municipal collection program may, per week, place for collection: ... One bulky waste item not to exceed 200 pounds or one bundle of construction/demolition waste not to exceed 100 pounds; ... All licensed haulers shall provide, at minimum, one annual bulky waste item collection per year or provide information to their customers about bulky waste disposal options.
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.
Reading PA Mandatory Recycling Rules
Some RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 496-204A, B, D
§ 496-204. Mandatory recycling. A. All persons within the City shall source separate and recycle all designated recyclable materials generated by such person or generated within any dwelling unit, multi-dwelling unit or nonresidential unit occupied by such person. B. Designated recyclable materials shall include: (1) Single stream recycling to include at least three materials chosen from: clear...
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.
Reading PA Illegal Dumping Penalties
Significant RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances §§ 180-1203.C, 180-1210
QOL.003 Improper disposal or dumping of waste. Improper disposal of solid waste or recyclable material or dumping of said material on vacant, unoccupied, or other property. D. QOL.004 High weeds, grass or plant growth. All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of six inches (152.4 mm). All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall...
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.
Reading PA Yard Waste Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 496-201; § 496-206B(5)(c)
YARD WASTE — Leaves, garden residues, shrubbery and tree trimmings, and similar material, but not including grass clippings. YARD WASTE BAG — A thirty gallon or equivalent biodegradable Kraft paper bag used for the collection of yard waste. § 496-206B(5). Units enrolled in the municipal collection program may, by contacting the City to request service, have the following designated recyclable m...
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.
Reading Commercial Dumpster Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 496-102.B
Permanent dumpster, cart, toter, or trash receptacles shall not be located in public right-of-way, or areas visible from public right-of-way, unless permitted by the Solid Waste Division. The property owner or lessee shall make application for permanent dumpsters through the Solid Waste Division... (1) Dumpsters of three cubic yards or greater may not be placed on sidewalk. (2) Dumpsters of thr...
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.
Reading Requires Trash Service, Sets Hours
Some RestrictionsReading Codified Ordinances § 496-205
It shall be the responsibility of the owner/operator of every property in the City of Reading to... Ensure that the property is entered into a contract/agreement with a licensed hauler for the collection of solid waste and recycling or that the property's solid waste and recycling is collected through the City of Reading municipal collection program... All solid waste and designated recyclable ...
Looking for Berks County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Reading city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Berks County →