Lower Paxton, PA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Lower Paxton Township Code § 165-14
- Who must separate
- Households, multifamily, businesses, institutions, event sponsors
- Residential items
- Newspapers, glass, cans, plastic bottles and jugs, leaf waste
- Annual report due
- Within 30 days of the end of each calendar year
- Collector registration fee
- No charge
- Maximum fine
- Not more than $1,000 plus costs
Summary
Lower Paxton Township, Pennsylvania, runs a mandatory recycling program under § 165-14. Residents of single-family homes and multifamily buildings, businesses, institutions and event sponsors must separate recyclables from trash. Residential items are newspapers, glass, aluminum and steel cans, plastic bottles and jugs, and leaf waste. Violations carry a fine of up to $1,000.
C. Establishment of program. The Township hereby establishes a program for the mandatory separation of recyclables from municipal waste by persons residing in single-family dwellings and multifamily establishments, by commercial and institutional establishments, and by community events providers/sponsors/promoters. D. Items to be separated and recycled (this list may change from time to time based on the recycling market) and hauler requirements: (1) At residential units (including multifamily establishments): (a) Newspapers. (b) Glass (clear, brown, blue, and green). (c) Aluminum and steel cans. (d) Plastic bottles and jugs. (e) Leaf waste. (2) At commercial and institutional establishments and community events: (a) Newspapers. (b) High-grade office paper and corrugated paper. (c) Aluminum and steel cans. (d) Glass (clear, brown, blue and glass). (e) Plastic bottles. (f) Leaf waste.
Full Breakdown
Section 165-14 of the Lower Paxton Township Code establishes a program for the mandatory separation of recyclables from municipal waste by persons residing in single-family dwellings and multifamily establishments, by commercial and institutional establishments, and by community events providers, sponsors and promoters. The Board of Supervisors adopted it to comply with the state Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, and the Township states that the list of materials can change from time to time based on the recycling market.
At residential units, including multifamily establishments, five items must be separated: newspapers; glass in clear, brown, blue and green; aluminum and steel cans; plastic bottles and jugs; and leaf waste. At commercial and institutional establishments and community events the list is newspapers, high-grade office paper and corrugated paper, aluminum and steel cans, glass, plastic bottles, and leaf waste. Newspapers used for secondary purposes, such as wrapping other waste or cleaning, are excluded when that use makes them unusable for recycling.
The same carts that carry trash serve for recycling: § 165-12.A(1) says the same containers are provided for required recycling and that no additional containers can be placed curbside. Commercial and institutional establishments and multifamily operators that run their own program, outside the Township's agent or exclusive contract, must file an individual recycling program with the Township and have it approved, covering at minimum the commercial list. Establishments that handle their own recyclables must also submit an annual report of the amount, type and weight of each material, returned to the Township within 30 days of the end of each calendar year. Recyclable collectors who are not licensed municipal waste haulers must register with the Township, and there is no charge for registration.
Violations & Fines
A violation of the recycling article is a summary offense prosecuted before a Magisterial District Justice. Under § 165-15.A the fine is not more than $1,000 plus costs, with imprisonment of up to 90 days in default of payment. Each day a violation continues, and each section found violated, is a separate offense. The Township can also require removal of accumulated solid waste and bill the owner or occupant after five days following written notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is recycling mandatory in Lower Paxton Township?
What must households recycle in Lower Paxton Township?
Do businesses in Lower Paxton Township have to recycle office paper?
What reporting does a business that handles its own recycling owe the Township?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lower Paxton
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