Erie, PA Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Container size
- 3 to 35 gallons
- Material
- Rust-resistant metal or plastic, watertight
- Required features
- Outside handles, tight-fitting cover
- Set-out point
- Curbside or edge of street
- Spilled refuse rule
- Left over 1 day past pickup = violation
Summary
Erie requires every household to keep rigid, watertight refuse cans of 3 to 35 gallons with outside handles and a tight-fitting cover, drain and bag garbage before it goes in the can, and set cans or bags at the curb only on the designated weekly collection day.
Each receptacle shall be a rigid container, constructed of rust-resistant metal or plastic, shall be watertight, shall contain not less than three nor more than 35 gallons, and shall be provided with outside handles and a tight fitting cover. The cover shall not be removed except for the deposit or removal of refuse. All householders shall drain garbage or other residential refuse of all liquids, and place it in paper or plastic bags, which shall be stored in the receptacles previously described until the designated day of refuse collection. On the designated weekly collection day, all householders shall deposit at the curbside or edge of the street either the receptacles containing securely bagged refuse, or securely bagged refuse itself. Each householder shall make all reasonable efforts to insure that the refuse to be collected does not become waterlogged, or that the bags are not torn or disintegrated before collection. Loose or spilled refuse shall not be collected, and, if left more than one day after the collection day, shall be considered a violation of this article as well as any other littering or housing ordinance provisions.
Full Breakdown
04 of the Codified Ordinances places the duty on every owner, tenant, occupant or householder of a residential property, or an apartment in a building of four units or less, to provide and keep approved receptacles for refuse. Each receptacle must be a rigid container built of rust-resistant metal or plastic, watertight, holding not less than three nor more than 35 gallons, with outside handles and a tight-fitting cover; the cover may only come off to deposit or remove refuse. Before refuse goes into the can, householders must drain all liquids from garbage and place it in paper or plastic bags, which are then stored in the receptacle until the designated weekly collection day.
On that day, householders deposit either the filled receptacle or the securely bagged refuse itself at the curbside or edge of the street, and must make reasonable efforts to keep the refuse from becoming waterlogged or the bags from tearing before pickup. Loose or spilled refuse is not collected, and if it remains more than one day past the collection day it becomes a violation of Article 951 as well as any applicable littering or housing ordinance.
Violations & Fines
A can that is undersized, oversized, not watertight, or missing a tight cover fails Section 951.04. Article 951's general penalty clause, Section 951.99, fines violators not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 and allows up to 90 days imprisonment, with each day of a continuing violation, such as spilled refuse left more than one day after collection, counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size garbage can does Erie require?
Where do I put my garbage can on collection day in Erie?
What happens if my trash bag breaks open before pickup?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Erie
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