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

Recycling in Bucks County operates under the Pennsylvania Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act (Act 101 of 1988, 53 P.S. §4000.101 et seq.). Act 101 mandates recycling programs in municipalities with populations of 10,000+ (Tier 1) and 5,000-10,000 with population density over 300 per square mile (Tier 2). Nearly all Bucks County municipalities fall into these tiers and must offer curbside recycling of designated materials. Mandated recyclables include: clear and colored glass bottles/jars, aluminum cans, bi-metallic/steel cans, high-grade office paper, newsprint, corrugated cardboard, and leaf waste. Plastic bottles (#1 PET and #2 HDPE) were added under PA DEP regulations. Contamination (plastic bags, food waste, tanglers, non-program plastics) is a growing enforcement focus post-China's 2018 National Sword policy — haulers now tag and skip contaminated bins. The Bucks County Planning Commission Recycling Office provides educational materials and coordinates with municipalities. Multi-family buildings of 5+ units and commercial establishments over certain thresholds must provide on-site recycling. Leaf waste must be separated and cannot be landfilled in Tier 1/2 communities. Yard waste composting programs are operated by many Bucks municipalities (Doylestown Township, Warrington, Newtown) at municipal yard waste sites. Act 101 also provides performance grants to municipalities meeting recycling targets.