Haverford, PA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Commingled recyclables
- Glass, aluminum cans, bimetallic and ferrous cans, plastic bottles
- Plastics accepted
- Bottles and containers number 1 to 7 only
- Plastic bags
- Excluded, such as grocery bags
- Collection frequency
- Once each week, except for emergencies
- Ownership at curb
- Becomes Township or authorized agent property
- Maximum fine
- $1,000 plus costs under § 95-26
Summary
In Haverford Township, Pennsylvania, commingled recyclables are glass, aluminum cans, bimetallic and ferrous cans and plastic bottles, and plastics are limited to containers numbered 1 to 7. Township Code § 95-24(B) has paper and commingled recyclables collected once each week, except for emergencies.
COMMINGLED RECYCLABLES Glass, aluminum cans, bimetallic and ferrous cans and plastic bottles. ... GLASS Plain, clear and colored or colorless glass bottles and jars. Expressly excluded from this definition of glass are crockery, lead crystal, porcelain products, light bulbs, tempered or plate glass, and opaque colored glass. ... PLASTICS Plastic bottles and containers number 1 to 7 only. No plastic toys, swimming pools, ornaments, trash cans, hangers, fencing, flat pieces of plastic, or plastic bags such as grocery bags may be included. ... B. Frequency of collections. Paper and commingled recyclables will be collected once each week, except for emergencies. The Township will establish a regular schedule of refuse and recycling collections; such schedule will be published and distributed to the residents.
Full Breakdown
Article III of Chapter 95 of the Haverford Township Code defines what goes in the recycling container. Section 95-23 defines commingled recyclables as glass, aluminum cans, bimetallic and ferrous cans and plastic bottles. Glass means plain, clear and colored or colorless glass bottles and jars, and the definition expressly excludes crockery, lead crystal, porcelain products, light bulbs, tempered or plate glass, and opaque colored glass. Plastics means plastic bottles and containers number 1 to 7 only, with no plastic toys, swimming pools, ornaments, trash cans, hangers, fencing, flat pieces of plastic, or plastic bags such as grocery bags.
Other definitions fill in the rest of the stream. Aluminum cans are empty, nonaerosol, all-aluminum beverage and food containers, excluding pie pans and aluminum foil. Bimetallic cans are empty, nonaerosol, steel or tin-coated steel food and beverage containers. Clean paper products include newspaper, magazines and periodicals, high-grade office paper, corrugated paper, junk mail, telephone books and paperback books.
Section 95-24(B) sets the frequency: paper and commingled recyclables are collected once each week, except for emergencies, and the Township publishes and distributes the schedule to residents. Storage, handling and disposal follow § 95-17, so the 5:00 a.m. curbline deadline and 12-hour removal rule apply. Section 95-24(C) requires private refuse collection firms registered with the Department of Code Enforcement to report annually the amount of waste collected in the Township, and makes it unlawful for any waste collector to collect or transport recyclables or refuse without written permission from the Township.
Section 95-25(F) adds a property rule: from the time recyclable items are placed at the designated collection location, they become the property of the Township or its authorized agent, and an unauthorized person who collects or picks them up commits a violation. Each such collection from one or more locations is a separate and distinct offense. Community events must provide recycling containers and signage under § 95-25(G), and organizers contact the Township for collection at a fee the Township determines.
Violations & Fines
Under § 95-26, a violation of Article III is a summary offense before a magisterial district judge, with a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs and imprisonment not to exceed 90 days if the fine and costs go unpaid. Each day a violation continues, or each section found violated, is a separate offense. Unauthorized collection of placed recyclables is punishable as a separate offense for each collection under § 95-25(F)(1).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which plastics can go in the Haverford Township recycling bin?
What glass is excluded from recycling?
How often are recyclables picked up?
Can someone else take recyclables from my curb?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Haverford
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