Erie, PA Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Container
- Open rigid containers, not trash bags
- Placement
- Curbside
- Mixing ban
- Not with household waste or recyclables
- Governing ordinance
- Ord. 59-1990 (leaf waste regs) & Ord. 36-1991
- Penalty (Art. 958)
- $25-$300 fine plus costs, per day
Summary
Erie collects leaves from every premises that gets garbage service, but they must go out in open rigid containers at curbside, never mixed with household trash or recyclables. Yard waste is collected separately under its own schedule tied to Ordinance 59-1990.
On every premises from which garbage and rubbish are collected, there shall also be a collection of leaves. Such leaves shall be placed in open rigid containers and deposited at curbside. [Section 951.13] ... No resident shall dispose of leaf waste with ordinary household waste or materials to be recycled. Leaf waste shall be separated from other municipal waste generated at homes, apartments and other residential establishments. Leaf waste shall be collected in accordance with the regulations attached to original Ordinance 59-1990, passed August 22, 1990. [Section 958.10]
Full Breakdown
Section 951.13 of the Residential Refuse article requires that every premises from which garbage and rubbish are collected also receive leaf collection, with leaves placed in open rigid containers and deposited at curbside rather than bagged with regular trash. The recycling article reinforces the separation: Section 958.10 bars residents from disposing of leaf waste with ordinary household waste or with materials set out for recycling, requiring leaf waste to be kept separate from other municipal waste generated at homes, apartments and other residential establishments, with collection carried out under the regulations attached to the original Ordinance 59-1990 passed August 22, 1990. Leaf collection is distinct from the City's separate composting program under Section 951.14, which covers grass clippings, hedge trimmings and general lawn/leaf waste collected for composting rather than curbside leaf pickup.
Violations & Fines
Article 951's general penalty, Section 951.99, fines a violator not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 and allows up to 90 days imprisonment, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. Under Article 958, Section 958.14 fines anyone who mixes leaf waste into regular trash or recycling, or otherwise violates the recycling article, not less than $25 nor more than $300 plus costs of prosecution, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put leaves in a regular trash bag in Erie?
Does every Erie property get leaf collection?
What is the penalty for mixing leaf waste with recycling in Erie?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Erie
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