5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Berks County, Pennsylvania.
Verified from official government sources
Berks County does not run curbside trash pickup. Your municipality arranges collection, either by hiring a hauler or by requiring residents to contract one. The Berks County Solid Waste Authority operates a countywide drop-off recycling center in Leesport but not curbside routes.
Berks County sets no countywide bin-placement rule. Your municipality and hauler dictate where and when to place trash and recycling at the curb. Reading requires approved lidded containers and prohibits leftover rubbish on the property between collections.
Bulk trash pickup is arranged by your municipality or hauler. The Berks County Solid Waste Authority recycling center in Leesport accepts electronics (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 8 AMβNoon), tires (fees), and yard waste, and holds household hazardous-waste and shredding events.
Under Pennsylvania's Act 101, larger and denser Berks municipalities must run recycling programs. Fifteen Berks municipalities are mandated to recycle under Act 101 with curbside programs, and seven more comply under Act 140. The county-wide Act 101 recycling goal is 35%.
Pennsylvania's scattering-rubbish law (18 Pa.C.S. Β§6501) makes it a summary offense to dump waste on roads, others' land, or state waters, with a $50β$300 fine and litter cleanup for a first offense. The Berks Solid Waste Authority cites illegal dumpers via video surveillance in Leesport.
18 Pa.C.S. Β§6501(a)(1)
A person is guilty of a summary offense if he...causes any waste paper, sweepings, ashes, household waste, glass, metal, refuse or rubbish, or any dangerous or detrimental substance to be deposited into or upon any road, street, highway, alley or railroad right-of-way, or upon the land of another or into the waters of this Commonwealth.
1 cities in Berks County have their own trash & recycling rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Berks County β parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Berks County Ordinance Hub β