What is my recycling collection schedule?
What happens if there is a holiday on my collection day?
Do I need to separate my recyclables?
What materials are acceptable for recycling?
Is Styrofoam recyclable?
Can I recycle paperboard containers?
Can I recycle cardboard pizza boxes?
Can I recycle printed cardboard? If so, are staples or tape on the packages a problem?
What is waxy cardboard?
If I can recycle a #1 soda bottle, why can't I recycle everything with a #1?
What happens to the materials I recycle?

What is my recycling collection schedule?
Each community has a unique collection schedule. To locate the information specific to your township or borough, visit the "Resources For Your Municipality" page and choose your area from the drop down menu.

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What happens if there is a holiday on my collection day?
If collection falls on or after a holiday, all collections moved one day back. If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there will be no change to your collection schedule.

Penn Waste observes six major holidays, including:
New Year's, Memorial Day , 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas

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Do I need to separate my recyclables?
No. Penn Waste's innovative single stream processing facility allows you to place all of your recyclable materials into one container for pickup. For more information about Penn Waste's recycling facility, check out the "Recycling Facility Tour.

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What materials are acceptable for recycling?
In general, plastic containers, food and beverage glass, metal cans, paper and cardboard are accepted through Penn Waste's recycling facility. For a more detailed list of acceptable items, click here.

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Is Styrofoam recyclable?
Absolutely not. Please throw all Styrofoam in your household trash since it is not currently a recyclable item.

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Can I recycle paperboard containers?
Yes. Paperboard items such as tissue, cereal and shoe boxes may be recycled.

Items that are heavily soiled with food, such as take out containers should not be recycled. Food left on these paper products can cause contamination to other materials at the recycling facility, negatively impacting the overall recycling process.

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Can I recycle cardboard pizza boxes?
Yes. Pizza boxes, while they do hold food, can be recycled. Pizza boxes are made of high-grade corrugated cardboard, which moves quickly through the recycling process. Areas of the box heavily soaked in grease and/or cheese should be removed and disposed of in another way and the remaining part of the box recycled. Any sauce or crumbs should also be removed before recycling.

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Can I recycle printed cardboard? If so, are staples or tape on the packages a problem?
Printed or glossy cardboard can be recycled alongside regular cardboard. Staples and tape are not a problem and can be left on the packaging. These materials will be removed throughout the sorting process. If large wads of tape are present and can be removed, this will improve the overall recycling process.

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What is waxy cardboard?
Wax coating is used on cardboard to prevent contamination and infestation. An example is large produce boxes used by grocery stores. You can tell the difference between waxy and shiny cardboard with a simple test. If you run your fingernail up the side of the box and a layer of wax peels off, you have waxy cardboard that must be thrown away or composted. Shiny cardboard can be recycled with regular cardboard.

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If I can recycle a #1 soda bottle, why can't I recycle everything with a #1?
The number on the bottom identifies only the type of plastic resin – it does not identify anything about how a product was made. Different manufacturing processes are used to make plastic bottles, tubs and soccer balls, and these processes give the plastics different properties such as melting points. It is not simply the number that determines whether plastic is recyclable, but rather the guidelines of the processing facility. Penn Waste's facility can recycle all plastic bottles with openings smaller than the base, numbered #1-7. No plastic lids or caps; no plastic bags; no foam; no #7 PLA bottles or containers can be accepted.

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What happens to the materials I recycle?
After pickup, the items you recycle are taken to Penn Waste's Single Stream Recycling Facility where they are sorted and prepared for their final recycling destination. After being properly sorted and prepared, the items that you recycle are shipped all over the country and the world to be recycled and reused in a variety of ways. This includes being used in carpet fibers, piping, more cans and containers, paper and much more. In less than two days, a piece of cardboard that you've placed out for recycling can be picked up, processed and on a ship at the port of Baltimore, heading to its final destination. Containers that hold cat litter are recycled for use in Mondo Blocks, which are used in guard rails to protect drivers on highways across the United States.

For additional information on the Penn Waste recycling process, visit the "Recycling Facility Tour Page."

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