Pickup Rules & Schedules: Allentown vs Bethlehem

What day is my trash pickup?

Check Allentown public works website or call for your assigned collection day based on your address.

What if my trash was missed?

Report missed pickups to Allentown public works within 24 hours for a return trip.

Does Bethlehem provide city trash pickup?

No - Bethlehem does not run a citywide municipal trash collection contract. Under Codified Ordinance §1162.05(a), every owner shall provide for solid waste collection services by a hauler, and this responsibility may not be delegated to tenants. Each owner must contract directly with a licensed private hauler such as Waste Management, Republic Services, or Symons Sanitation. The hauler must hold both a Pennsylvania Act 90 solid-waste transporter license and a valid City of Bethlehem Business Privilege License (§1162.01). Recycling, however, IS provided by the City directly under Article 933 at $70/unit/year.

When can trash be collected in Bethlehem?

Under §1162.09(a), residential solid waste collection runs Monday through Saturday between 5:00 AM and 4:00 PM on the south side of the City and between 6:00 AM and 4:00 PM on the north side. Commercial, municipal, industrial, and institutional collection may run seven days a week between 6:00 AM and 4:00 PM, except that Sunday commercial collection is restricted to 8:00 AM through 12:00 Noon (§1162.09(b)). Your specific pickup day depends on your private hauler's route - check with the hauler directly.

How often is recycling collected in Bethlehem?

Biweekly - every two weeks. Article 933 §933.03 reads that the City shall provide for the collection of designated commingled recyclables from any and all residences at times set forth by the City, and at no time will the collection of these recyclables occur less frequently than once every two weeks (unless a collection day falls on a holiday or in inclement weather). Collection takes place between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Residents are assigned an 'A' or 'B' day that does not change year to year - call the Recycling Bureau at 610-865-7082 (option 3) to look up your day.