Abington, PA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Abington Township's recycling program, established under Code § 92-39, requires owners and occupants of any residence, defined as a single-family dwelling or a multiple dwelling with no more than four units, to keep specified recyclable materials separate from municipal waste. Under § 92-41, aluminum cans must be empty and free of food waste; tin and bimetal cans must be free of food waste; clear and colored glass must be clean and free of food waste and lids; plastics numbered 1 through 7 must be clean and free of food waste; and paper and junk mail, defined broadly to include newsprint, magazines, catalogues, envelopes, office paper and cardboard, must simply be placed in the container.

Each category must go into a designated recycling container issued by the Township, not a private bin. The definitions section, § 92-40, spells out exactly what counts as recyclable, including No. 1 (PET) through No. 7 (polycarbonate) plastics. Multifamily buildings with more than four units and commercial, retail and institutional establishments fall outside this residential requirement and instead must arrange their own private hauler or elect Township collection under § 92-44, with annual documentation of recycled tonnage due to the Township by April each year.

The Board of Commissioners retains authority under § 92-46 to adopt further rules and regulations to carry out the program by resolution, so container specifications and collection-day assignments can change without a new ordinance. Anyone violating the separation requirements is subject to the penalty at § 92-45.