5 rules for unincorporated Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
Verified from official government sources
Delaware County does not collect trash. Each borough, township or city arranges collection — some municipally (like Upper Darby, which collects refuse and bills owners), others through a contracted or private hauler. Set-out times and days are set locally.
Delaware County has no countywide bin-placement rule. Each municipality's solid-waste ordinance sets how close to collection day you may put trash and recycling at the curb and how soon empties must be brought back in — commonly the evening before through the pickup day.
Delaware County has no countywide bulk-trash program. Each municipality handles large items its own way. Upper Darby Township, for example, collects bulk trash for $10 per item, arranged and paid in advance with the Township.
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.
Act 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.
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.
18 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
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