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Pittsburgh, PA Trash & Recycling: Bulk Item Disposal (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Regular Curbside Pickup
Excludes bulky/hazardous items
Brush Bundling Limit
5 ft long, 4 in diameter max
Tires, Batteries, Appliances
Not collected curbside
Special Programs
Run by the Director under § 619.07
Uncollected Piles
Treated as unlawful accumulation

Summary

Pittsburgh's curbside crews skip demolition debris, unbundled brush, tires, batteries, and appliances: residents must arrange their own disposal for these.

Materials Not Collected by the City. Disposal of the following materials shall be the responsibility of the generator: Demolition and construction waste; ... Trees or parts of trees that have not been bundled in a size five (5) feet in length and four (4) inches in diameter or less; Tires, lead acid batteries, and automobile parts; ... Appliances; ... Minimal amounts of the above wastes may be collected at the discretion of the Director in instances of serious health or safety risk/hazard.

Source: Pittsburgh Code of OrdinancesView official code

Full Breakdown

Under City Code § 619.05, the City does not collect demolition and construction waste, sewage residue, tires, lead acid batteries, automobile parts, household hazardous waste, covered devices, or appliances at the curb: the generator is responsible for disposing of them. Tree limbs are only picked up if bundled to 5 feet or less in length and 4 inches or less in diameter; larger or unbundled brush is excluded. The Director may collect minimal amounts of these materials at his or her discretion when a serious health or safety risk exists, and separately runs collection programs for household hazardous waste, tires, batteries, and covered devices under § 619.07.

Violations & Fines

No fixed fine is set for leaving excluded materials at the curb; the City can instead treat an uncollected pile as an unlawful accumulation under § 619.06, with a 5-day notice to remove it before the City abates it and bills the owner or lessee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Pittsburgh pick up my old appliance or tires at the curb?
No. Appliances, tires, and lead acid batteries are excluded from regular collection under § 619.05; the Director runs separate disposal programs for them under § 619.07.
Can I put tree branches out with regular trash?
Only if bundled to 5 feet or less in length and 4 inches or less in diameter per § 619.05(6); larger or loose brush isn't collected curbside.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Pittsburgh

All Pittsburgh rules

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