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

Chapter 20, Part 4 of the Bristol Borough Code is the Borough of Bristol Waste Reduction and Recycling Ordinance, and § 20-405 sets up the program. Under § 20-405(1)(A), every household, apartment and other residential establishment in Bristol Borough must separate three materials from its municipal waste and hold them until collection. The three are designated periodically from this list: clear glass, colored glass, aluminum, steel and bimetallic cans, high-grade office paper, newsprint, corrugated paper and plastics. Residents keep ownership of the separated materials until they are placed at the curb or a similar location for Borough pickup.

Collection is a Borough duty. Under § 20-405(1)(D), the Borough collects from curbside or similar locations designated by resolution at least once per month from each residence. Subsection (1)(B) directs Borough Council to let the owner, landlord or agent of a multifamily rental property with four or more units comply by setting up a collection system at the property, with suitable containers, easily accessible locations and written instructions to the occupants. An owner, landlord or agent who complies is not liable for the noncompliance of occupants.

Commercial, municipal and institutional establishments must separate high grade office paper, aluminum, corrugated paper and leaf waste. Under § 20-405(1)(C), the Borough exempts an establishment that has otherwise provided for recycling those materials, but only if it applies annually for a permit, pays a fee established by resolution, and gives the Borough written documentation of the total tons recycled or estimated to be recycled.

The program runs on public notice and reporting. Under § 20-406, the Borough Manager notifies every residential, commercial, institutional and municipal occupant of the requirements at least once every six months. Under § 20-409, the Borough Manager reports to the County of Bucks on or before February 15 of each year. Section 20-408 requires an operator of a landfill, resource recovery facility or transfer station under contract with the Borough to maintain a drop-off center for at least three recyclable materials, open at least eight hours per week, including four hours during evenings or weekends, when attendants are needed. The stated goal in § 20-403 is to recycle at least 25% of municipal waste.