Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Chester
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week, Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on the same day as your scheduled trash collection.
Yard Waste
Not specified
Set Out Time
Place containers at the curb no earlier than 4:00 PM the evening before or by 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash collection is billed as an annual rubbish fee ($350 per unit) included directly on your City of Chester property tax bill mailed in February.
Billing Cycle
Annual (Included with City Property Tax Bill)
Accepted Methods
Mail, In-Person, Check, Money Order
Pro Tip / Discount
A 2% discount is granted if property taxes and the included annual rubbish fee are paid in full by March 31.
Cart with Orange Lid Bin (Trash)
All trash must be placed completely inside the official city cart with the orange lid. No loose bags will be collected. Place at the curb no earlier than 4:00 PM the night before collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Textiles
Cart with Blue Lid Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed inside the official cart with the blue lid. Materials should be loose; do not tie paper in bundles or place items in plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and metal cans
- ✓#1 and #2 plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and paper bags (flattened)
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and greeting cards
- ✓Paper towel rolls
Yard Waste Bin
Collected twice per year (Spring and Fall). Must be placed in Kraft paper lawn and leaf bags only. Limited to 6 bags per household per collection. No plastic bags or containers allowed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Garden trimmings
- ✓Branches
- ✓Small shrubs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your regular trash collection day.
Placement
Place accepted items next to your carts no earlier than 4:00 PM the night before your collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Washers and dryers
- ✓ Wrapped mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Other large household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Items with freon
- ✕ Items with air compressors
- ✕ Batteries
- ✕ Electronics (TVs, monitors)
Included in standard service limits (2 items). For prohibited items like freon appliances, residents must call the Department of Public Works at 610-447-7742 for special pickup arrangements.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a holiday falls on or before your collection day, your pickup will occur one day later. Trash and recycling will still be collected on the same day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste is only collected on advertised Spring and Fall dates and is generally unaffected by regular holiday routing.
Verify exact holiday delays and special event dates on the City of Chester mobile app or website.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Bin
Never bag your recyclables or toss plastic grocery bags into your blue-lidded recycling cart. Plastic bags jam the mechanical sorting screens at the recycling facility and will cause your entire cart to be rejected.
No Grass Clippings or Soil in Yard Waste
When participating in the bi-annual yard waste collections, ensure your Kraft paper bags contain only leaves, twigs, and trimmings. Dirt, rocks, construction debris, and grass clippings are strictly prohibited and will result in a missed pickup.
Wrap All Mattresses
If you are placing a mattress or box spring out for your weekly two-item bulk limit, it must be completely wrapped in plastic and sealed. This protects workers from potential bed bug exposure.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October to DecemberDuring the autumn months, the City of Chester Department of Public Works operates a special leaf collection program. Residents should rake their loose leaves directly to the curb for the city's vacuum trucks to collect, completely separate from the bi-annual bagged yard waste collection.
Spring
April to MayKeep an eye on the City's website and mobile app for the dates of the Spring Drop-Off Event. This is the ideal time to clear out winter clutter, as residents can drop off electronics, appliances, and up to four tires.
Winter
December to FebruaryIn the event of severe snowstorms, standard trash and recycling routes may be temporarily suspended. Always ensure your carts are accessible and not buried behind snowbanks when plows clear the streets.
About Chester Waste Management
Unified Same-Day Collection for Trash and Recycling
The City of Chester simplifies waste management by collecting both trash and recycling on the exact same day each week. Residents must place their official carts out the night before their scheduled collection, but no earlier than 4:00 PM. After Casella empties the bins, they should be promptly removed from the curb to keep neighborhoods clean.
Strict Cart-Only Policy in Chester
To combat litter and improve collection efficiency, Chester enforces a strict cart-only policy for residential waste. All standard household refuse must fit inside the official cart with the orange lid, while all recyclables must go into the cart with the blue lid. Loose bags left on the ground or overflowing bins will not be serviced by Casella collection crews.
Generous Weekly Bulk Item Allowances
Unlike many municipalities that require special scheduling and fees for large items, Chester allows residents to place up to two bulk items at the curb every week on their normal collection day. Acceptable items like furniture, washers, and dryers can simply be placed next to your carts. However, any mattresses or box springs must be entirely encased in plastic to be collected.
Handling Appliances with Freon and Hazardous Materials
While standard bulk items are easy to dispose of, items containing freon, batteries, or air compressors are prohibited from standard weekly pickup. For these restricted items, Chester residents must call the Department of Public Works directly to arrange a special collection. Proper disposal prevents harmful chemicals from leaching into the local environment.
Bi-Annual Yard Waste and E-Waste Drop-Offs
Casella provides dedicated curbside yard waste collection only twice a year, during the spring and fall. Outside of these collections, residents can take advantage of special City-hosted drop-off events. These events are held twice a year and are the perfect opportunity to dispose of up to four tires per household, white goods, and electronic waste like televisions and computer monitors.
Drop-off Facilities
City of Chester Special Drop-Off Events
Location Announced Seasonally by City
Materials Accepted
Delaware County Solid Waste Authority (Transfer Station)
1521 N. Delaware Ave, Chester, PA 19013
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bulk items can I throw away each week in Chester?
Residents can place up to two (2) bulk items at the curb on their regular collection day every week without calling ahead. Remember that any mattresses or box springs must be wrapped in plastic.
What should I do with a refrigerator or AC unit?
Items containing freon or air compressors are not accepted in the standard weekly bulk pickup. You must call the Chester Department of Public Works at 610-447-7742 to arrange for a safe, specialized collection of these appliances.
How do I get rid of yard waste and branches?
Casella provides bi-annual yard waste collections in the Spring and Fall. During these events, you can set out up to six Kraft paper bags containing leaves, trimmings, and small branches. During the autumn months, you may also rake loose leaves to the curb for municipal vacuum collection.
Will my trash be picked up on Juneteenth?
No, Juneteenth is an observed holiday for waste collection in Chester. If your normal collection day falls on or after June 19th, your pickup for that week will be delayed by one day.