Allentown Trash Pickup & Garbage Schedule 2026: Collection Nights, Recycling, Bulk Items and Yard Waste
This Allentown trash pickup schedule guide is for City of Allentown residents who want the practical answer fast: what night trash goes out, how recycling works, what changed with the J.P. Mascaro contract, how bulk pickup works, where to take electronics, and what to do when collection is missed.
Enter your ZIP code below — we'll take you straight to your city's official schedule. No searching, no confusion.
The most important local rule is easy to remember: place trash and recycling curbside between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM on your scheduled collection night only. Do not leave containers out all week, and do not guess your zone from a neighbor’s street.
Quick Answer for Allentown Residents
City of Allentown curbside trash is collected twice per week. Recycling is collected once per week on one of your designated pickup nights. Bulk items are accepted only on the second collection night of the week, which is usually Wednesday, Thursday or Friday depending on your zone.
Address-based
Use the City trash zone lookup for your exact address. Border streets and nearby townships can confuse residents.
5 PM to 10 PM
Put trash and recycling out only during the approved evening window on your scheduled collection night.
5 bags or 2 cans
Per trash night: up to 5 bags or 2 cans, with weight and size limits explained below.
Call 610-437-8729
Report missed collections to the City Recycling Office after checking timing, limits, contamination and holiday alerts.
Need help by phone? Call the Bureau of Recycling & Solid Waste at 610-437-8729. Write your address on paper before calling so staff can help with the correct trash zone.
How to Find Your Allentown Trash Pickup Night by Address
Allentown pickup is not one citywide day. Collection nights depend on your zone and sometimes your side of a border street. The safest workflow is address-first, not memory-first.
- Open the City’s trash zone lookup. Use the official Allentown tool instead of an old screenshot or neighbor comment.
- Enter your exact street address. Include house number, street direction and apartment/building detail if needed.
- Write down both trash nights. Allentown residential trash is generally twice per week.
- Write down the recycling night. Recycling is weekly, but it may be the first or second trash night depending on your address.
- Mark the bulk night. Bulk is the second collection night only, usually Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.
- Save the phone number. If the tool does not find your address, call 610-437-8729 or email SWEEP@allentownpa.gov.
This guide is for City of Allentown, Pennsylvania. It is not Allen Township, South Whitehall, Whitehall Borough, Allentown Borough NJ, or a private apartment hauler. If your mailing address says Allentown but your property is outside city service, your pickup rules may be different.
Allentown Trash Pickup Schedule: What Runs Each Week
Allentown’s schedule becomes easier once you separate regular trash, weekly recycling, second-night bulk pickup and every-other-week yard waste. Use this table as a resident planning guide, then confirm your address-specific zone with the City lookup.
| Service | How often | When to set out | Key rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular trash | Twice per week | Between 5 PM and 10 PM on your scheduled collection nights | Up to 5 bags or 2 cans per trash night; all trash must be bagged. |
| Curbside recycling | Once per week | On your designated recycling night | Use City-issued recycling bins. Recycling is unlimited but must be accepted material. |
| Bulk item | Weekly option on second trash night only | Second collection night of your week: Wednesday, Thursday or Friday | One bulk item or 40 pounds of contained construction material. |
| Yard waste curbside | Every other week, year-round | Check the zone map and calendar | Use brown paper lawn bags or rigid containers 32 gallons or less; follow branch limits. |
| Recycling drop-off | 24/7/365 | 1400 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive | Recyclables only. Trash, mattresses, furniture, TVs and construction debris are not accepted. |
| Common Allentown route pattern | Trash nights | Recycling night | Bulk night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday / Wednesday zone | Sunday and Wednesday | Usually Sunday | Wednesday |
| Monday / Thursday zone | Monday and Thursday | May be Monday or Thursday depending on area | Thursday |
| Tuesday / Friday zone | Tuesday and Friday | May be Tuesday or Friday depending on area | Friday |
Allentown has streets where both sides or specific blocks can matter. Do not use the table alone for final set-out. Use the City lookup or call the Recycling Office when your address is close to a zone boundary.
Allentown Pickup Tools: Save This Page for Trash Night
These small helpers are built for repeat visits. Use them the night before pickup, when you are cleaning out a room, or when you are not sure whether an item is trash, recycling, bulk, yard waste, electronics or drop-off only.
5–10 PM window
Set out only during the approved evening window so you avoid early set-out, blocked sidewalk and SWEEP issues.
12-hour cleanup
Remove emptied containers and rejected items from the curb within 12 hours after collection.
Second night only
Do not put a couch or mattress out on the first trash night. Use the second collection night of your week.
Allentown Trash Limits and Curbside Rules
Allentown’s limit is not unlimited garbage. If you exceed the allowed amount, place loose trash, set items out early, or leave rejected items at the curb, the hauler may reject material and the property can be reported for enforcement.
Use the normal limit
- Up to 5 trash bags.
- Each bag should be 30 gallons or less.
- Each bag should be 40 pounds or less.
- Or use up to 2 trash containers.
- Each container should be 32 gallons or less.
- Each container should be 70 pounds or less.
- All trash must be bagged, either on its own or inside containers.
Do not set out this way
- No loose trash in boxes or loose inside cans.
- No TVs, computers or electronics at the curb.
- No tires, car batteries, car parts or hazardous items.
- No liquid paint or chemicals at curbside.
- No household trash in sidewalk litter baskets or Solar Belly receptacles.
- No long-term storage of trash or recycling containers on the front porch or front of property.
Allentown Recycling Schedule and What Goes in the Bin
Allentown curbside recycling is weekly on your designated recycling night. The City says curbside recycling is unlimited, but it should be placed in City-issued recycling bins and should only include accepted recyclables.
Common curbside items
- Flattened cardboard and paperboard boxes.
- Office paper, colored paper, mail, magazines and newspapers.
- Plastic bottles and containers marked #1 through #7.
- Glass food and beverage bottles and jars.
- Steel and aluminum cans, aluminum foil and pie plates.
- Food and beverage cartons such as milk, juice and soup cartons.
Common recycling problems
- No trash mixed into recycling.
- No loose food waste or dirty containers.
- No plastic bags used as recycling bags.
- No Styrofoam.
- No TVs or electronics in the recycling bin.
- No construction debris or furniture at the recycling drop-off center.
City-issued recycling bins are free for residents and can be picked up at the Bureau of Recycling & Solid Waste office at 641 S. 10th Street.
Allentown Bulk Trash Pickup: Large Items, Mattresses and Construction Material
Bulk pickup is the part residents most often get wrong. Allentown bulk items are accepted only on the second collection night of the week. That means Wednesday, Thursday or Friday depending on your route. Do not put a large item out on your first trash night.
| Item or material | Best Allentown path | Resident note |
|---|---|---|
| Sofa, dresser, chair, toilet or one large furniture item | Bulk pickup on second collection night | One bulk item per week under the normal bulk rule. |
| Mattress and box spring set | Bulk pickup on second collection night | Wrap in plastic before disposal to help prevent sanitation and bed bug issues. |
| Carpet or rug | Bulk pickup if prepared properly | Keep it manageable and tied/bundled where practical. |
| Drywall, lumber, tile or sheet rock | Second collection night only | Limit is 40 pounds of contained construction material, bundled or in a trash bag/container. |
| TV, computer or electronics | Electronics appointment/drop-off route | Do not place electronics curbside for regular trash or bulk pickup. |
| Freon appliance such as refrigerator, freezer or AC | Freon appliance recycling path | A Freon/refrigerant fee may apply; confirm with the City before set-out. |
| Tires, car batteries, car parts, liquid paint, chemicals | Special disposal route | Do not place these at the curb for collection. |
If your route is Sunday/Wednesday, bulk is Wednesday. If your route is Monday/Thursday, bulk is Thursday. If your route is Tuesday/Friday, bulk is Friday.
Allentown Yard Waste Collection and Drop-Off Site 2026
Allentown yard waste curbside collection changed under the 2025 contract. Yard waste is now collected every other week, year-round, depending on where you live. Residents should use the City’s yard waste zone map or pickup tool to confirm their week.
Every other week
Use the City map and calendar. Do not assume every week just because yard waste used to work differently.
Leaves and branches
Leaves, sticks, branches and twigs are accepted when prepared within the size rules.
Bags or rigid containers
Use brown paper lawn bags or rigid containers of 32 gallons or less, and use yard waste stickers where required.
Yard waste set-out
- Check whether your address is on the correct every-other-week cycle.
- Use brown paper lawn bags or rigid containers.
- Keep rigid containers 32 gallons or less.
- Bundle loose branches and tie them.
- Keep branches no more than 4 feet long and less than 4 inches in diameter.
Yard waste mistakes
- Do not use City recycling bins for yard waste.
- Do not set out yard waste on the wrong week.
- Do not leave loose piles that can scatter.
- Do not mix trash, plastic bags or construction debris with yard waste.
| 2026 Yard Waste Drop-Off Site | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 1401 Oxford Drive, Allentown, PA |
| Winter 2026 dates | Saturday, February 7, 2026 and Saturday, March 7, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, weather permitting. |
| Regular 2026 season | Wednesday, April 1 through Saturday, November 21, 2026. |
| Regular hours | Wednesdays 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Saturdays 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. |
Electronics, Freon Appliances and Hazardous Items
Do not solve every item by putting it at the curb. Allentown does not accept TVs, computers, electronics, tires, car batteries, liquid paint, chemicals or hazardous items in regular curbside trash. Some items require an appointment, voucher, fee or separate disposal route.
Appointment only
City of Allentown taxpayers can schedule electronics recycling by calling 610-437-8729 to receive a voucher for the appointment.
Fee may apply
Appliances containing Freon or refrigerant may have a recycling fee and should follow City instructions for drop-off or scheduled pickup.
Not curbside
Liquid paint, chemicals, car batteries, tires and other hazardous items should not be placed at the curb for collection.
Putting electronics, paint or hazardous items inside a black bag can create safety and enforcement problems. Use the correct route before trash night.
Allentown Holiday Trash Schedule 2026
Allentown holiday collection is where repeating phone reminders can fail. Under the current service setup, holiday impacts are tied to major holidays such as New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The City posts alerts and also uses the trash information phone line, so always verify the active alert before setting out on holiday weeks.
| 2026 holiday | Calendar date | Resident action |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day 2026 | Thursday, January 1, 2026 | Check the City alert for the night-before schedule because Allentown collection is nighttime service. |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 25, 2026 | Sunday night routes are commonly the first place residents should verify before set-out. |
| Independence Day | Saturday, July 4, 2026 | Because the holiday is Saturday, verify whether Friday night collection is affected by the City alert. |
| Labor Day | Monday, September 7, 2026 | Verify Sunday night collection before placing trash, recycling or yard waste out. |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 26, 2026 | Check Wednesday night and Thursday night instructions before the holiday. |
| Christmas Day | Friday, December 25, 2026 | Check Thursday night and Friday night instructions before Christmas week. |
| New Year’s Day 2027 | Friday, January 1, 2027 | Late December 2026 routes may be affected. Re-check the City alert near year-end. |
During holiday weeks, do not rely only on a repeating calendar alert. Check the City website, the trash zone tool, or call 610-437-8729 before placing materials curbside.
Missed Trash Pickup in Allentown: What to Check Before Calling
A missed collection report works better when you know what went wrong. Before calling, check timing, zone, limits, rejected items and holiday alerts.
Before reporting
- Was it your correct collection night?
- Were materials placed out between 5 PM and 10 PM?
- Was trash within the 5-bag or 2-can limit?
- Was all trash bagged?
- Was recycling in a City-issued bin?
- Was a bulk item placed only on the second collection night?
- Was there a holiday, weather or service alert?
- Was there a rejection notice or visible contamination?
Who to contact
Report missed collections to the Allentown Recycling Office at 610-437-8729. Leave the material accessible unless the City tells you to remove it.
If you live in an apartment, condo, business, private building or nearby township, your first contact may be your property manager, private hauler or township office instead of City of Allentown curbside service.
Allentown Trash Office Map and Official Video
Use the map for City Recycling & Solid Waste office context. Do not use a general map pin to decide your pickup night; pickup nights are address-specific.
Allentown Trash Fee, Senior Rebate and Billing Questions
Some residents search for the trash schedule because they saw a fee change or bill notice. The collection schedule page does not replace the City Finance page. For fee, bill, rebate or senior eligibility questions, use the official City rebate and finance guidance.
Billing is separate from pickup night
A trash fee change does not automatically mean your pickup nights changed. Confirm the schedule through the trash zone lookup.
Age 65+ residents
Eligible Allentown taxpayers age 65 and over may apply for garbage and water/sewer rebates if they meet City criteria.
June 30
The City rebate page says applications are submitted by June 30 of the current year for prior-year rebates.
Official Allentown Links Residents Actually Need
Use the right official link for the task. Do not use the bulk page when you need a recycling bin, and do not use the drop-off center page when you need your pickup night.
Related Trash-Pickup.org Guides
These internal links are included because they help Allentown residents compare Pennsylvania collection rules, holiday delay patterns and bulk trash planning.
What This Allentown Guide Solves
This page is built for real resident searches such as Allentown trash pickup schedule, Allentown garbage collection, Allentown trash zones, trash pickup near me, Allentown bulk trash pickup, Allentown yard waste schedule, Allentown recycling center, Allentown missed trash pickup, Allentown holiday trash schedule, J.P. Mascaro Allentown, Allentown electronics recycling and City of Allentown trash fee questions. Each topic is answered in the proper section instead of being pasted as a keyword list.
Find the night
Address lookup, route pair table, set-out time and missed pickup checks answer schedule searches.
Choose the right path
Bulk, electronics, yard waste, recycling, Freon appliances and hazardous items are separated by practical disposal route.
Daily tools
The route helper, bag-limit checker, item sorter and holiday helper make the page useful on more than one visit.
Allentown Trash Pickup FAQ
How often is trash picked up in Allentown?
City of Allentown curbside trash is collected twice per week. Your exact collection nights depend on your trash zone, so use the City lookup for your address.
What time should I put trash out in Allentown?
Put trash and recycling out between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM on your scheduled collection night only.
How much trash can I put out in Allentown?
Per trash night, residents may place up to 5 bags of 30 gallons or 40 pounds each, or up to 2 containers of 32 gallons or 70 pounds each. All trash must be bagged.
When is recycling picked up in Allentown?
Recycling is collected once per week on one of your designated pickup nights. Use the City-issued recycling bin and confirm your night with the address lookup.
When is bulk trash picked up in Allentown?
Bulk items are accepted only on the second collection night of your week. That is usually Wednesday, Thursday or Friday depending on your route.
How many bulk items can I put out?
The standard rule is one bulk item per week or 40 pounds of contained construction material on the second collection night only.
Can I put a mattress out for Allentown bulk pickup?
Yes, a mattress or box spring set can follow the bulk-item route, but it should be wrapped in plastic before disposal and placed out only on the second collection night.
Does Allentown pick up yard waste every week?
No. Yard waste curbside collection is every other week, year-round. Use the City yard waste map or lookup to confirm your week.
Where is the Allentown recycling drop-off center?
The recycling drop-off center is at 1400 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, next to the 15th Street Bridge. It is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for accepted recyclables only.
Can I put electronics at the curb in Allentown?
No. TVs, computers and electronics should not be placed curbside. City taxpayers can schedule electronics recycling by calling 610-437-8729 for a voucher appointment.
Who collects trash in Allentown?
J.P. Mascaro & Sons began the City of Allentown trash collection contract on June 1, 2025. The City Bureau of Recycling & Solid Waste remains the key contact for municipal service questions.
Who do I call for missed trash pickup in Allentown?
Call the Allentown Recycling Office at 610-437-8729 after checking your correct night, set-out time, limits, rejected items and holiday alerts.
Does this guide apply to Allen Township or Allentown NJ?
No. This guide focuses on City of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Allen Township, nearby municipalities and Allentown Borough in New Jersey have different collection rules.
Can seniors get help with Allentown garbage fees?
Eligible Allentown taxpayers age 65 and over may apply for garbage and water/sewer rebates if they meet City criteria. Use the official Finance rebate page for the current form and deadline.
Is Trash-Pickup.org the City of Allentown?
No. Trash-Pickup.org is an independent resident help guide. For live service decisions, official schedules, billing, fees, violations and service alerts, use the City of Allentown links on this page.
Final Allentown Resident Summary
Allentown trash pickup in 2026 is a twice-weekly, zone-based nighttime collection system. Put trash and recycling out between 5 PM and 10 PM on your scheduled night, keep trash within the 5-bag or 2-can limit, use City-issued recycling bins, and remove empty or rejected items within 12 hours after collection.
Bulk items go out only on the second collection night of your week. Yard waste is every other week and must follow bag, container and branch rules. Electronics, TVs, computers, hazardous items, Freon appliances and problem materials need separate instructions. When in doubt, call 610-437-8729 before dragging items to the curb.
Franklin TN Trash Tools
Holiday calculator | Buck-A-Bag counter | Recycling checker
Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Call (615) 794-1516 to confirm