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York County, PA Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Designated facility
York County Resource Recovery Center
Facility type
Waste-to-energy incinerator
Governing law
PA Act 101 (53 P.S. §4000.101)
Who collects
Municipality or private hauler (not YCSWA)
Funding
Tipping fees + electricity sales, no county tax

Summary

No matter where you live in York County, your hauler must deliver household garbage to the York County Resource Recovery Center, a waste-to-energy plant run by the York County Solid Waste Authority. Curbside collection itself is arranged by your municipality or a private hauler.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of York County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

No matter where you live in York County, your hauler delivers your garbage to the York County Resource Recovery Center. The center is a waste-to-energy facility that burns your garbage in accordance with strict environmental standards.

View official code

Full Breakdown

York County operates a county-wide solid-waste system under Pennsylvania's Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act (Act 101 of 1988, 53 P.S. §4000.101). The York County Solid Waste Authority (YCSWA) developed the county municipal-waste plan directing all county waste to the York County Resource Recovery Center (YCRRC), a waste-to-energy incinerator. Curbside pickup is not run by YCSWA: the Authority is not a trash hauler and does not collect residential garbage. Instead, each municipality either contracts a hauler or leaves residents to hire one privately; that hauler then delivers the waste to the YCRRC. The Authority is self-funded from tipping fees (disposal charges) and electricity sales, using no York County tax dollars.

Violations & Fines

Waste must be disposed of at the designated county facility; unlawful disposal elsewhere is prosecuted as illegal dumping under 18 Pa.C.S. §6501. Missed-collection and hauler complaints go to your municipality or private hauler.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does my trash go in York County?
“No matter where you live in York County, your hauler delivers your garbage to the York County Resource Recovery Center,” a waste-to-energy facility operated by the York County Solid Waste Authority.
Does YCSWA pick up my garbage?
No. YCSWA is not a trash hauler and does not collect household garbage. Your municipality or a private hauler collects it and delivers it to the county Resource Recovery Center.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in York County

Bulk Item DisposalSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsRecycling RequirementsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundHeavy RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome Restrictions

All York County rules

Compare York County to another location·View the Pennsylvania trash & recycling overview

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