Harrisburg, PA Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)

Section 9-307.3 of the Harrisburg Codified Ordinances is the yard waste disposal rule for the City of Harrisburg. Its first sentence is the operative ban: materials designated as yard waste or composting material shall not be placed with or disposed of as municipal waste. Disposal of composting materials is under the direction of the Director of Public Works (DPW), who has authority to write rules and regulations on the days of operation, receiving hours, and the type of receptacle and conveyance.

What counts as yard waste comes from Section 9-307.1: leaves, branches and other items designated as yard waste, with the exception of grass clippings, are source separated and collected for organics recycling or composting. The Director determines the designated list through rules. Collection happens at times set in a schedule the Director designates, under Section 9-307.2.

Section 9-309.3 backs the rule from the trash side. Construction and demolition waste, hazardous waste, electronic waste, recyclable material, yard waste and tires cannot be placed in municipal waste receptacles for regular collection. A person also cannot use another person's receptacles without permission or place refuse in front of a premises other than the building in which he resides or works.

Burning is not an alternative. Section 9-305.3(D) provides that no person shall cause or allow the open burning of recyclable material as well as leaf waste, including leaves, garden residues, shrubbery and tree trimmings, in the City. The yard waste program is free to City residents and commercial businesses and participation is mandatory under Section 9-307.4.

Section 9-305.5 also requires DPW to send yard waste program information to residents and businesses, including direct mailings at least biannually, so the current collection calendar is published by the City rather than printed in the ordinance.