Trash & Recycling in Delaware County, PA (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
Verified from official government sources
Recycling Requirements
Under Pennsylvania Act 101, any municipality with 10,000+ people, or 5,000–10,000 with density over 300 per square mile, must run a source-separation recycling program. Most Delaware County towns qualify, so curbside recycling is mandatory. Residents separate at least three materials plus leaf waste.
PA Act 101 mandates recycling in most Delco municipalities
Some RestrictionsAct 101 of 1988, §1501(a); 53 P.S. §4000.1501(a)
a municipality other than a county that has a population of 10,000 or more people shall establish and implement a source-separation and collection program for recyclable materials in accordance with this section.
Illegal Dumping
Dumping trash on roads, another person's land, or the state's waters is a crime under 18 Pa.C.S. §6501 (scattering rubbish) and the Solid Waste Management Act (35 P.S. §6018.610). A first offense is a summary offense; repeat and hauler dumping become misdemeanors with steep fines.
Illegal dumping is a Pennsylvania crime (scattering rubbish)
Some Restrictions18 Pa.C.S. §6501(a)(1)
A person is guilty of an offense if he: (1) causes any waste paper, sweepings, ashes, household waste, glass, metal, refuse or rubbish ... 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
Dumpster Rules
Every roll-off or lugger container used to collect waste in Delaware County must be registered with the Solid Waste Management Department and carry a Type R hauling sticker, and using one without it is a separate summary offense for each day.
Roll-Off and Lugger Dumpsters Need County Stickers
Significant RestrictionsDelaware County, PA Code § 180-3.B
Solid waste hauling stickers. Each vehicle or roll-off or lugger container used for the collection and transportation of acceptable waste generated within the County must be registered with the office of the Solid Waste Management Department and identified with two solid waste hauling stickers issued pursuant to § 180-3D of this chapter. It shall be a summary offense under § 180-9J of this chap...
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