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

Section 205 defines yard materials as prunings and other natural organic matter discarded from yards and gardens, including leaf waste, but the definition specifically excludes grass clippings, which the Borough does not collect as yard waste at all. Section 208(1)(B) requires every resident, church and mixed-use property to keep yard materials separate from regular municipal waste for collection, unless the property composts the material itself, in which case the separation duty does not apply. Material that is separated must be bagged in biodegradable paper bags; yard waste set out in plastic or other non-biodegradable bags, or simply raked or piled where household refuse is placed, will not be picked up.

Grass clippings are excluded from the program entirely and are never accepted, bagged or not. Multifamily properties of seven units or more follow a parallel duty under Section 208(2)(C): yard material must be separated from other waste and either composted, used as mulch, or set out for collection using approved biodegradable bags or cans, since bags that are not biodegradable will again be refused. The Borough Manager may issue collection guidelines under Section 207 covering the manner, days and time yard materials must be placed at the curb; the current guidelines are filed with the Borough Secretary rather than printed in the code itself. Failing to separate yard materials as required is a violation of Part 2 of Chapter 20 and is punishable under Section 221.