Managing garbage, recycling, and bulk waste is an important part of keeping Pittsburgh clean and green. The City of Pittsburgh provides weekly garbage collection, bi-weekly recycling services, and special pickups for yard and bulk waste. This article covers everything you need to know about Pittsburgh garbage pickup schedule, recycling guidelines, yard waste collection, bulk waste disposal and much more.
Pittsburgh Garbage Pickup Schedule
Pittsburgh residents can get rid of their household garbage every week through the curbside refuse collection program. Trash collection takes place on a weekly basis in Pittsburg, with the pickup days varying from place to place. An easy way to find your collection days is to enter your address in the collection map, which will show you your complete schedule.
City of Pittsburgh Garbage Collection Phone Number
If you have questions about garbage collection in Pittsburgh, you can call the City of Pittsburgh’s Solid Waste Department at (412) 255-2773. For non-emergency issues, such as missed garbage pickups, you can also contact 311.
For recycling-related questions, call (412) 255-2631. If you are outside Pittsburgh, you can reach Public Works by calling (412) 255-2621. These numbers ensure you can easily get help with garbage and recycling services whenever needed.
Pittsburgh Recycling Pickup Schedule
Recycling pickup takes place on alternative weeks in the city of Pittsburgh, with pickup dates varying from region to region. Residents living in the central and east areas of Pittsburgh are to follow a different calendar, whereas the residents who live in north and south of Pittsburgh have different recycling collection calendar.
Accepted Items
- Newspaper, magazines, and junk mail
- White office paper, catalogs, and phone books
- Amber, blue, red, green, and clear glass bottles or jugs (3 gallons or less)
- Bottles, jugs, jars, and tubs (3 gallons or less)
- Hardcover and softcover books
- Paperboard and flattened cardboard (place in a box or bin)
- Empty tin, steel, aluminum, and aerosol cans (leave labels on; discard lids or keep attached)
Items Not Accepted
- Coffee cups, lids, and greasy pizza boxes
- Paper plates, food service items, and shredded paper (drop off in a sealed paper bag)
- Clamshell containers, swimming pools, and windows
- Electronics, hazardous waste, and bagged recyclables
- Styrofoam
- Pyrex, drinkware, and dinnerware
- Food waste, plastic bags, and plastic films
- Plastic packing materials (Styrofoam, bubble wrap, plastic wrap, etc.)
- Metal cookware, toys, buckets, and garden hoses
- Loose metal lids, bottle caps, aluminum foil, and pans
Pittsburgh Yard Waste Collection Schedule
Yard waste is collected from the curbside twice a year in Pittsburgh. Items acceptable for yard waste pickup include leaves, grass, shrubs, branches, plants, and tree trimmings. Residents must place the yard materials in paper bags before placing them at the curbside. The yard waste collection days in 2025 are:
- April 26th, 2025
- November 8th, 2025
Pittsburgh PA Bulk Pickup
Pittsburgh residents can get rid of a maximum of two bulky items per week. Place out the bulk waste at the curbside before 6 am on your garbage collection day. If more than two bulky items are collected, a fee will be charged. The cost for the first hour, or any portion of it, is $173.00. For each additional hour, or part of it, an extra $54.00 will be applied.
Items Accepted as Bulk Waste
- Sofas, tables, and recliner chairs
- Mattresses, box springs, and dressers
- Windows, cabinets, and fencing (bundled, under 35 pounds or 5 feet long)
- Carpets (bundled, under 35 pounds or 5 feet long)
- Toilets and water heaters
- Washers, dryers, and stoves
Items Not Accepted as Bulk Waste
- Appliances containing Freon
- Light bulbs
- Electronics such as TVs, computers, keyboards, and mice
- Hazardous waste or household chemicals
- Construction and demolition debris
- Tires, car parts, and batteries
For special pickups, call 412-255-2773 to schedule a service.
Conclusion
Residents can easily pay their bills and manage to keep their neighborhood clean by following the garbage pickup schedule, recycling properly, and managing yard and bulk waste responsibly. If you have questions or need assistance, use the provided resources to stay updated on collection days and disposal guidelines.
