Reading, PA Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Weekday collection hours
- 6:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
- Saturday collection hours
- 6:30-11:30 a.m.
- Sunday collection
- Not permitted
- Service required from
- Licensed hauler or the City
Summary
Every property owner in Reading must have trash and recycling service, either through the City's municipal program or a licensed hauler, and collection is limited to set weekday and Saturday hours.
It shall be the responsibility of the owner/operator of every property in the City of Reading to... Ensure that the property is entered into a contract/agreement with a licensed hauler for the collection of solid waste and recycling or that the property's solid waste and recycling is collected through the City of Reading municipal collection program... All solid waste and designated recyclable materials shall be collected between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; 6:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays. No collection shall be permitted on Sundays.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-8: Current through August 10, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 496 makes waste service mandatory rather than optional: owners and operators must ensure their property is either enrolled in the City's municipal collection program or under contract with a licensed hauler, and must post or distribute the collection rules to occupants in English and Spanish. Collection itself is restricted to 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays, with no collection allowed on Sundays. Ten named downtown streets, Penn Street, Walnut Street and Perkiomen Avenue among them, carry an additional restriction barring collection during the morning and evening rush windows.
Violations & Fines
Failing to have solid waste service in place, or collecting outside permitted hours, is a summary offense enforced under Chapter 496 Part 2, with fines from $50-$300 for a first offense and $100-$600 for repeat offenses within five years.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Reading
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