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Delaware County, PA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

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

Key Facts

Governing law
Act 101, 53 P.S. §4000.101
Mandatory if
Pop 10,000+ (or 5,000+ & dense)
Separate
3+ recyclables + leaf waste
Materials
Glass, cans, paper, plastics
County role
Act 101 waste plan

Summary

Under Pennsylvania Act 101, any municipality with 10,000+ people, or 5,000–10,000 with density over 300 per square mile, must run a source-separation recycling program. Most Delaware County towns qualify, so curbside recycling is mandatory. Residents separate at least three materials plus leaf waste.

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

a municipality other than a county that has a population of 10,000 or more people shall establish and implement a source-separation and collection program for recyclable materials in accordance with this section.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Recycling in Delaware County, PA is driven by state law: the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act (Act 101 of 1988, 53 P.S. §4000.101 et seq.). Section 1501 requires each qualifying municipality to establish and implement a curbside source-separation and collection program. Given Delco's population density, most of its 49 municipalities are mandated recyclers. Residents must separate at least three recyclables, chosen by the town from clear glass, colored glass, aluminum, steel/bimetallic cans, high-grade office paper, newsprint, corrugated paper and plastics, plus leaf waste. Collection is usually single-stream, weekly or biweekly. The county's Act 101 Municipal Waste Management Plan coordinates disposal and recycling capacity countywide.

Violations & Fines

Municipalities enforce their Act 101 recycling ordinance; putting recyclables in the trash or failing to source-separate can bring a fine under the local ordinance. The state can withhold funding from non-compliant municipalities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is recycling mandatory in Delaware County, PA?
In most municipalities, yes. Act 101 requires towns of 10,000+ (or 5,000–10,000 with over 300 people per square mile) to run curbside source-separation recycling. Given Delco's density, most towns qualify.
What must I recycle?
Your town picks at least three from clear glass, colored glass, aluminum, steel/bimetallic cans, high-grade office paper, newsprint, corrugated paper and plastics: plus leaf waste, all under Act 101 Section 1501.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Delaware County

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsDumpster RulesSignificant RestrictionsIllegal DumpingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Wildlife FeedingSome Restrictions

All Delaware County rules

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

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