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

Section 92-42 of the Code of the Township of Abington governs how residents must present separated recyclables for pickup. All approved metal, glass and plastic recyclables must go into recycling containers issued by the Township and be placed curbside, streetside, or at the residence's authorized collection point on the day the Township designates. Paper and junk mail follow the same placement rule, using containers issued by the Township at the curbside, streetside, or the residence's authorized municipal waste collection point. Leaf waste and yard waste have their own placement schedules under the same section.

Because collection containers and the right to collect are tied directly to the Township, § 92-43 makes it unlawful for anyone other than Township employees performing their duties to collect recyclable materials, unless that person first obtains written permission from the Township; this closes off scavenging or unauthorized private collection of curbside recyclables, including aluminum cans and other materials that carry resale value. The article's definitions in § 92-40 make clear that recyclable materials are removed from the definition of municipal waste, so mixing them back into trash defeats the separation the Township requires.

Enforcement runs through § 92-45: any person violating any provision of the article is guilty of a summary offense before a District Justice, with a fine of not less than $10 nor more than $300 plus court costs, and each day of a continuing violation is treated as a separate offense carrying the same fine. The Board of Commissioners can add further operational rules by resolution under § 92-46 without amending the ordinance itself.