How to Recycle Properly in Pennsylvania Counties

Recycling is more than a civic duty—it’s a critical component of environmental sustainability, resource conservation, and community health. In Pennsylvania, where over 12 million residents live across 67 counties, recycling practices vary significantly from one region to another. What is accepted in Philadelphia may be rejected in Erie, and what’s compostable in Allegheny County might be classified as contamination in Luzerne. Understanding how to recycle properly in Pennsylvania counties isn’t just about following rules; it’s about aligning local infrastructure, state regulations, and personal responsibility to maximize impact and minimize waste sent to landfills.

Despite widespread public awareness campaigns and decades of recycling programs, contamination rates in Pennsylvania’s curbside recycling streams remain alarmingly high—often exceeding 25%. This means nearly one in four items placed in recycling bins cannot be processed and ends up in landfills or incinerators. The consequences are costly: municipalities spend millions annually sorting contaminated loads, recycling facilities shut down due to unsafe materials, and valuable resources like aluminum, paper, and plastic are lost forever.

This guide provides a comprehensive, county-specific roadmap to recycling correctly in Pennsylvania. Whether you live in a dense urban center like Pittsburgh or a rural township in Cameron County, this tutorial equips you with actionable steps, best practices, and verified resources to ensure your recycling efforts make a real difference. By the end, you’ll know exactly what goes in, what stays out, and how to adapt your habits to your county’s unique recycling ecosystem.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Identify Your County’s Recycling Program

The first and most essential step in recycling properly is determining which program governs your area. Pennsylvania does not have a single statewide recycling system. Instead, each county operates under its own municipal or contracted waste management plan, often dictated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) but customized to local infrastructure, population density, and funding.

To identify your program:

• Visit your county government’s official website. Look for “Public Works,” “Solid Waste,” or “Environmental Services.”
• Search for “Recycling Guidelines” or “Curbside Collection Rules.”
• Use the DEP’s Recycling Program Directory to locate your county’s official resource.

For example:

• Philadelphia residents follow the city’s “Recycle Right” program, which accepts rigid plastics, paper, cardboard, glass, and metal—but not plastic bags or Styrofoam.
• Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) partners with Republic Services and allows

  1 and #2 plastics, cartons, and clean paper, but prohibits pizza boxes with grease residue.

• Dauphin County (Harrisburg) accepts all rigid plastics numbered 1–7, but requires containers to be rinsed and lids removed.

Never assume your neighbor’s rules apply to you. Even neighboring towns within the same county may have different haulers or drop-off policies.

Step 2: Learn What Is Accepted and What Is Not

Recycling contamination occurs when non-recyclable items are placed in recycling bins. Common contaminants include plastic bags, food residue, electronics, batteries, and textiles. These items jam sorting machinery, degrade material quality, and can cause entire truckloads to be rejected.

Below is a county-agnostic baseline for accepted and non-accepted items in Pennsylvania, followed by key exceptions:

Accepted Items (Generally)

• Cardboard: Flattened boxes without wax coating or heavy food residue.
• Paper: Newspapers, magazines, office paper, junk mail. Avoid paper towels, tissues, or napkins.
• Plastic Bottles and Containers: Only

  1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE) are universally accepted. Some counties accept #3–#7, but only if rigid and clean.

• Glass Bottles and Jars: Clear, green, and brown glass only. No ceramics, mirrors, or Pyrex.
• Metal Cans: Aluminum soda cans, steel food cans. Rinse thoroughly.
• Cartons: Milk, juice, and broth cartons (Tetra Pak-style) are accepted in most counties if rinsed and dry.

Non-Accepted Items (Common Contaminants)

• Plastic Bags and Wraps: Even “compostable” bags belong in the trash unless specifically allowed by a drop-off program.
• Styrofoam (EPS): Never accepted in curbside bins. Some counties have specialized drop-offs.
• Food-Soiled Items: Pizza boxes with grease, used paper plates, dirty containers.
• Electronics: TVs, computers, and batteries require e-waste recycling centers.
• Textiles: Clothing, shoes, and linens should be donated or taken to textile recycling bins.
• Hygiene Products: Diapers, wipes, and medical waste are hazardous and must go in the trash.

Step 3: Prepare Items Correctly

Preparation is where most households fail. Even if an item is technically recyclable, improper preparation renders it useless.

Follow these preparation rules:

• Rinse all containers: Remove visible food or liquid. A quick rinse with dishwater is sufficient—no need for soap or scrubbing.
• Remove lids and caps: In most counties, plastic lids are too small and made of different plastic than the container. Remove and discard in trash unless your county explicitly accepts them.
• Flatten cardboard: This saves space in bins and trucks. Remove tape and labels if possible, but don’t worry if they remain.
• Keep items dry: Wet paper or cardboard can’t be processed. Store recycling indoors if rain is expected.
• Do not bag recyclables: Place items loosely in the bin. Plastic bags jam sorting belts and cause shutdowns.

Step 4: Know Your Collection Schedule and Rules

Recycling collection days vary by municipality and are often different from trash days. Missing a pickup means waiting another week—or worse, tossing items in the trash out of frustration.

Key tips:

• Check your hauler’s website or local government portal for your exact collection day.
• Place bins at the curb by 7 a.m. on your collection day, even if it’s raining.
• Do not overfill bins. Lids must close fully. Overflowing bins are often left uncollected.
• Some counties require specific bin colors or labels. Use only the bin provided by your hauler.

For example:

• In Bucks County, recycling is collected every other week. Residents must place bins on the opposite side of the street from trash.
• In Monroe County, collection occurs weekly, but holiday schedules shift pickups by one day.
• Lehigh County requires all recyclables to be placed in the blue bin provided by the county—using your own container may result in non-collection.

Step 5: Use Drop-Off Centers for Non-Curbside Items

Not everything recyclable can be collected at your curb. Many items require special handling and must be taken to designated drop-off locations.

Common drop-off items include:

• Plastic bags and film: Most major retailers (e.g., Wegmans, Walmart, Target) have collection bins near entrances.
• Electronics: County-sponsored e-waste events or permanent centers accept old phones, computers, and TVs.
• Batteries: Lithium-ion and rechargeable batteries must be taken to hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s.
• Styrofoam: Some counties partner with specialized recyclers (e.g., Dart Container) for EPS recycling.
• Textiles: Donation bins from organizations like Goodwill or Savers often accept worn clothing for recycling into insulation or rags.
• Paint: Pennsylvania’s PaintCare program offers free drop-off at participating retailers.

To find drop-off locations near you:

• Visit PaintCare.org for paint.
• Use Earth911.com and enter your zip code and item type.
• Check your county’s DEP page for “Special Waste Collection Events.”

Step 6: Track Your Impact and Adjust Habits

Recycling is most effective when it becomes habitual. Keep a simple log for one month:

• Record how often you accidentally contaminate your bin.
• Note which items you consistently forget to rinse or remove.
• Track how many drop-off trips you make per month.

Use this data to adjust your behavior. For instance, if you frequently toss pizza boxes into recycling, start keeping a separate bin for greasy cardboard and compost it if your county offers curbside composting (like in Chester County).

Many counties now offer digital tools—apps or online portals—that send reminders, provide recycling guides, and even reward participation. Check if your county has a “Recycling Rewards” program.

Best Practices

1. When in Doubt, Throw It Out

This is the golden rule of recycling in Pennsylvania. Contamination is the number one reason recycling programs fail. A single greasy pizza box can ruin an entire batch of clean paper. A plastic bag can shut down a sorting line for hours. When you’re unsure whether an item is recyclable, place it in the trash. It’s better to send one non-recyclable item to the landfill than to risk contaminating hundreds of recyclable ones.

2. Prioritize Reuse Over Recycling

Recycling consumes energy and resources. Reusing items requires less. Before tossing a jar, consider using it for storage. Turn old t-shirts into rags. Donate books, furniture, and appliances instead of recycling them. Pennsylvania’s reuse culture is growing—look for local “Buy Nothing” groups, Freecycle chapters, or community swap events.

3. Avoid Single-Use Plastics

While Pennsylvania accepts many plastics, the reality is that less than 10% of plastic ever produced has been recycled. The most sustainable choice is to reduce consumption. Carry a reusable water bottle. Bring your own bags to the grocery store. Choose products in glass or aluminum packaging, which have higher recycling rates and are infinitely recyclable.

4. Educate Your Household

Recycling success depends on everyone in the home. Children, roommates, and elderly family members may not know the rules. Create a simple chart with pictures of accepted items and post it on the fridge. Hold a 10-minute “Recycling 101” session with your family. Make it a game: reward the person who correctly sorts the most items each week.

5. Support Local Recycling Infrastructure

Recycling programs rely on funding and public support. Attend county council meetings and advocate for expanded services—like curbside composting or expanded plastic acceptance. Support businesses that use recycled materials. Vote for officials who prioritize waste reduction. Pennsylvania’s recycling future depends on engaged citizens.

6. Compost Organic Waste When Possible

Food scraps and yard waste make up nearly 30% of Pennsylvania’s landfill waste. Many counties now offer composting programs:

• Chester County: Curbside food scrap collection with yard waste.
• Montgomery County: Drop-off compost sites at community centers.
• Philadelphia: Pilot program for apartment buildings.

If your county doesn’t offer composting, consider backyard composting. Even in urban areas, small compost bins or worm farms can handle fruit peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells. The resulting compost enriches soil and reduces landfill methane emissions.

7. Stay Updated

Recycling rules change. Materials markets fluctuate. A plastic type accepted last year may be rejected this year due to low demand. Subscribe to your county’s waste management newsletter. Follow them on social media. Check updates quarterly—even if you think you know the rules.

Tools and Resources

Official State Resources

• PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Recycling Page: https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/WasteManagement/Recycling/Pages/default.aspx – The primary source for statewide guidelines, county contacts, and recycling statistics.
• PA Waste and Recycling Directory: A searchable database of haulers, drop-off centers, and special collection events by zip code.
• Recycling in PA Mobile App: Available for iOS and Android. Provides real-time collection schedules, contamination alerts, and educational quizzes.

County-Specific Tools

Each county offers unique digital tools. Here are a few standout examples:

• Allegheny County: “RecycleSmartPA” portal allows residents to search by item and get a tailored “Yes/No” answer on recyclability.
• Philadelphia: “Recycle Right” app includes photo recognition—snap a picture of an item and get instant feedback.
• Lehigh County: Interactive map showing all drop-off locations, including hazardous waste and electronics.
• Delaware County: Weekly email reminder service for collection days and holiday schedule changes.

Third-Party Tools

• Earth911.com: Nationwide database for recycling hard-to-process items. Enter your zip code and item (e.g., “styrofoam”) to find nearest drop-off.
• RecycleNation.com: Offers printable recycling guides by state and county.
• Call2Recycle.org: For batteries and cell phones. Lists over 1,000 drop-off locations in Pennsylvania.
• PaintCare.org: Free paint drop-off locator with hours and accepted types.

Community and Educational Resources

• Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful: Nonprofit offering school programs, community cleanups, and recycling workshops.
• Penn State Extension: Free online courses on waste reduction and composting.
• Local Libraries: Many offer free recycling kits, including bins, guides, and compost starters.

Real Examples

Example 1: The Contaminated Load in Lancaster County

In early 2023, a recycling truck in Lancaster County was rejected at the processing facility because 40% of its contents were contaminated. The load included plastic bags, greasy pizza boxes, and a bag of diapers. The entire truckload—worth over $1,200 in recyclable materials—was sent to the landfill. The county issued a public alert and sent out mailers to every household explaining the mistake. As a result, contamination rates dropped by 18% within six months.

Lesson: One household’s mistake can cost a community thousands. Always check the rules.

Example 2: The Rural Household in Cameron County

Residents in Cameron County, a rural area with no curbside recycling, used to haul recyclables to a distant transfer station. In 2022, the county partnered with a regional processor to install drop-off bins at the library, post office, and fire station. Within a year, recycling rates tripled. Residents began collecting plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and cardboard in their garages and bringing them in weekly. The county even started a “Recycling Champion” award for households that consistently participated.

Lesson: Access matters. Even in remote areas, community-led solutions can drive change.

Example 3: The Apartment Complex in Pittsburgh

A 120-unit apartment building in Pittsburgh had consistently high contamination rates. Residents were confused about what could be recycled, and bins were often overflowing. The building manager partnered with the city’s recycling program to install clear signage, host a monthly “Recycling Q&A” hour, and provide each unit with a laminated guide. Within three months, contamination dropped by 60%, and the building earned a “Green Building” certification from the city.

Lesson: Clear communication and consistent support transform behavior.

Example 4: The College Student in State College

A Penn State student living off-campus assumed all plastic was recyclable. She tossed plastic takeout containers, yogurt cups, and condiment packets into her recycling bin. Her hauler left a note: “Contamination detected. Please remove non-recyclables.” She researched and discovered that only

1 and #2 plastics were accepted in Centre County. She started rinsing containers, removing lids, and using a small bin for trash. She even created a checklist for her roommates. Within a semester, her household’s recycling compliance rate reached 98%.

Lesson: Education and personal accountability lead to lasting habits.

FAQs

Can I recycle pizza boxes in Pennsylvania?

Only if they are clean. Grease and cheese residue contaminate paper fibers. If the bottom is oily, tear off the clean top and recycle that. The greasy part goes in the trash or compost if available.

Are plastic lids recyclable?

Most counties say no. Lids are often made of a different plastic than the container and are too small to be sorted. Remove them and throw them away unless your county specifically says otherwise.

Can I recycle glass jars with metal lids?

Yes. Remove the metal lid and recycle it separately with metal cans. Rinse the glass jar. The lid is recyclable as ferrous metal.

What do I do with old electronics?

Never put electronics in curbside bins. Take them to a county e-waste drop-off or retailer like Best Buy, Staples, or Home Depot. Many counties host annual e-waste collection days.

Is Styrofoam recyclable in Pennsylvania?

Not in curbside programs. However, some counties (e.g., Bucks, Montgomery) have drop-off locations for expanded polystyrene (EPS). Check Earth911 or your county website.

Can I recycle shredded paper?

Yes, but only if it’s contained. Place shredded paper in a paper bag, staple it shut, and label it “Shredded Paper.” Loose shredded paper jams machinery.

What if my recycling isn’t picked up?

Wait 24 hours. If still not collected, contact your hauler directly through their website or app. Do not leave extra bins or bags out—this often causes penalties.

Are compostable plastics recyclable?

No. Compostable plastics (PLA) look like regular plastic but require industrial composting facilities. They contaminate recycling streams. If your county doesn’t compost them, throw them in the trash.

Can I recycle wine corks?

Traditional cork is recyclable at select drop-offs. Synthetic corks and plastic stoppers are not. Look for Cork Club drop-offs at Whole Foods or through ReCORK.

Do I need to remove labels from jars and cans?

No. Labels are removed during processing. Just rinse the container.

Conclusion

Recycling properly in Pennsylvania counties is not a one-size-fits-all task. It requires awareness, adaptation, and consistency. The rules differ from county to county, from city to suburb, from apartment to single-family home. But the goal is the same: to keep valuable materials in use, reduce landfill burden, and protect the environment for future generations.

By following this guide—identifying your local program, preparing items correctly, avoiding contamination, using drop-off centers, and staying informed—you become part of a smarter, more effective recycling system. Your actions matter. A single rinsed bottle, a flattened box, a properly disposed battery, or a composted food scrap contributes to a larger movement that transforms waste into resource.

Recycling is not perfect. It’s not a cure-all. But when done right, it’s one of the most powerful tools we have to reduce our environmental footprint. In Pennsylvania, where forests, rivers, and farmland define our landscape, recycling properly isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Start today. Check your county’s guidelines. Clean your containers. Educate your household. And remember: when in doubt, throw it out. Your community—and your planet—will thank you.