Bristol, PA Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Refuse pick-up
- Twice each week, 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Recycling pick-up
- Once a week, 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Annual charge
- $395 per residence, unit or business, as printed for 2020
- Late payment
- 10% penalty plus municipal lien
- Contractor missed-day penalty
- $1,500 for each day pickup is not carried out
Summary
Refuse pick-up in Bristol Borough, Pennsylvania occurs twice each week, with collections made between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Recycling materials are picked up once a week during the same hours. Bulk refuse has its own weekly pick-up, and the contractor needs Borough Council permission before departing from the regular schedule.
Refuse pick-up shall occur twice each week. Collections shall be made between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Recycling materials shall be picked up once a week from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Full Breakdown
Section 20-107 of the Bristol Borough Code fixes the collection frequency and hours. Refuse pick-up occurs twice each week and collections are made between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Recycling materials are picked up once a week from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Bulk refuse is a third stream with its own weekly pick-up during the same hours under § 20-112.
Service is not optional. Section 20-102 requires all refuse to be gathered, collected and hauled away by a collector authorized by the Borough, and Borough Council awards that contract after competitive bidding for a term not exceeding five years (§ 20-103). Under § 20-113, the contractor must first obtain the permission of Borough Council before changing the normal collection schedule, and must give due notice to the public. No pick-ups are made on the legal holidays listed in § 20-111.
The Borough pays for the service through an annual charge. Section 20-201 imposes $395 per year for each residence, residential unit and place of business in the Borough, for the calendar year 2020 as printed in the code. Unpaid assessments are collected by the Borough Solicitor with a penalty of 10 percent, and nonpayment entitles the Borough to file a municipal lien against the premises. For multi-family buildings, § 20-204 steps the rate down: 100% of Assessment for the 1st unit, 90% for the 2nd, 80% for the 3rd and 70% for the 4th unit or any additional units.
On the contractor side, § 20-115 imposes a penalty of $1,500 for each day when scheduled pickup is not carried out, unless Borough Council gave permission for the deviation.
Violations & Fines
Residents and businesses who violate Chapter 20, Part 1 face a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs and up to 90 days in default of payment, with each day a separate offense (§ 20-117). An unpaid annual charge carries a 10% penalty and a municipal lien. The contractor owes $1,500 for each day a scheduled pickup is missed, and $7,500 if a street or alley is missed and not promptly rectified.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is trash collected in Bristol Borough?
Is trash service mandatory in Bristol Borough?
What if my building is multi-family?
Can the collection schedule change?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bristol
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