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

Article V of Chapter 400, Solid Waste, rewritten in full by Ordinance No. 45-2016, establishes the City's recycling program. Section 400-27 creates a Source Separation - Resource Recovery Program for the mandatory separation and collection of recyclables and yard waste from every residence that receives City municipal solid waste collection, with pickup made biweekly by the City or its designated agent. Section 400-28 lets the Mayor and Council set and change the manner, days and times of collection and how materials must be prepared, handled and placed at the curb.

Section 400-29 spells out the household mechanics: mixed paper such as newspaper, office paper, magazines, catalogs and phone books must be kept free of food and other contaminants and placed in the City-provided paper recycling bin, while commingled containers go separately into the City-provided commingled bin, and neither may be placed in the same garbage can as, or otherwise mixed with, other solid waste. Recycling containers are available at no cost from the Department of Public Works during regular business hours. Once placed at the curb, recyclables become City property under Section 400-30, and Section 400-31 makes it a separate offense for anyone other than the City or its authorized agent to collect them, punishable per collection incident.

Commercial establishments, institutions and landlords must contract their own hauler and recycle at least monthly under Section 400-33, reporting annual tonnage to the City in the first quarter of each year. Section 400-38 caps the general fine for violating the article at $300, with each continuing day after notice treated as a separate offense.