Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lower Merion
Trash Day
Collection runs once per week, Monday through Friday, according to your neighborhood route. Residents can confirm their assigned pickup day using the Address Lookup tool on the township website.
Recycling
Collected weekly on your regular trash collection day, alternating weekly between Paper/Cardboard (Week P) and Commingled glass, metal, and plastic containers (Week C).
Yard Waste
Leaves placed in compostable paper bags and tied brush trimmings (under 4 feet long) are collected weekly on your regular collection day.
Set Out Time
Place containers out no earlier than 7:00 PM the evening before and no later than 7:00 AM on collection day. All containers must be retrieved by 9:00 PM on collection day.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Solid waste collection is billed annually as part of your Township Real Estate Tax bill, with rates based on your selected service tier (Mini-Can, Standard, or Enhanced) and collection point (curbside vs. rear-yard).
Billing Cycle
Annual (billed on the Township/County Real Estate Tax bill)
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Debit/ACH, Mail, In-Person, Escrow
Pro Tip / Discount
Qualifying seniors may receive a 20% rebate on the standard single-container subscription. Disability waivers are also available for rear-yard collection fees.
Any standard color Bin (Trash)
Residents must supply their own bins with tight-fitting covers. Maximum 48 gallons for standard subscriptions, or 20 gallons for mini-can subscribers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Regular household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Township-issued bins Bin (Recycling)
Paper must be separated from commingled glass and plastics. Collection types alternate weekly. All paper should be in its own bin or a paper bag next to the recycling container.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastics
- ✓Paper and cardboard (separated)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Household hazardous waste
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Brush can be dropped off for free at the Township Transfer Station. Leaves must be placed in biodegradable paper leaf bags (available for purchase at the Transfer Station).
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Tree trimmings
- ✓Shrubbery
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By scheduled appointment or via self-transport to the Transfer Station
Placement
If a special pickup is scheduled, items must be placed curbside by 7:00 AM on the assigned date. Mattresses must be wrapped.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, chairs, bed frames)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (MUST be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Carpet (rolled)
- ✓ Lawn mowers (gas removed)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Appliances with Freon (refrigerators, AC units)
- ✕ Household hazardous wastes and chemicals
- ✕ Paints and stains
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Electronics and TVs
Special pickups incur a per-item fee. Alternatively, you can drop off bulk waste at the Transfer Station (1300 N Woodbine Ave) where residents are charged 14 cents per pound.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The Township mails an official holiday collection calendar to all residents every January. Generally, when a Township-observed holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling collections are pushed back by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
The Transfer Station and Public Works Complex are closed on all major holidays, meaning no brush or yard waste drop-offs can occur on those days.
Residents can utilize the Address Lookup tool on the Lower Merion Township homepage to confirm exact holiday shift dates for their specific property.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Paper Separate
Never mix your paper and cardboard with glass, aluminum, or plastics. Lower Merion operates a dual-stream recycling program, meaning commingled recyclables and paper products are collected on alternating weeks.
Mandatory Mattress Wrapping
To protect municipal workers from bedbugs, all mattresses and box springs must be fully enclosed in a plastic mattress disposal bag before they will be accepted for a Special Pickup or at the Koegel Transfer Station.
Never Rake Leaves into the Street
Do not rake fall leaves into the street or gutters expecting a sweeper to collect them. Street sweepers are not designed for bulk leaf collection, and placing debris in the roadway violates Township ordinances.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October to DecemberDuring peak leaf season, residents are required to bag their leaves in biodegradable paper yard bags, which can be purchased directly from the Transfer Station for 52 cents each. The Township also hosts special Clean Up Weekends and E-Waste collection events in October.
Winter
January to MarchDuring severe snow emergencies, normal curbside collection may be suspended. Driveways must be cleared for any rear-yard collection services. Post-holiday, the Township provides specialized Christmas tree collection, provided all tinsel and ornaments are removed.
Spring
April to JuneAs spring landscaping begins, remember that brush and yard waste can be dropped off completely free of charge at the Robert J. Koegel Public Works Complex, provided you can present proof of Lower Merion Township residency.
About Lower Merion Waste Management
Lower Merion's Municipal Subscription Model
Lower Merion Township offers a subscription-based, municipally run refuse collection system where households select a service level that dictates their volume limits. Whether you choose the Mini-Can (20-gallon limit), Standard Level (up to two 48-gallon cans), or Enhanced Level (up to four 48-gallon cans), all refuse must be placed at the curb with tight-fitting lids. For properties using rear-yard collection, residents must ensure driveways are clear of vehicles and pets are secured indoors on collection day.
Alternating Week Dual-Stream Recycling
To ensure maximum material recovery, Lower Merion utilizes an alternating weekly recycling schedule. Unlike single-stream systems, residents are strictly prohibited from mixing paper products with commingled glass, plastics, and metals. Paper must always be kept in its own dedicated container or in a brown paper bag beside your recycling bin. The Township provides official recycling containers for free, while residents must purchase their own refuse bins from a local retailer.
Strict Curbside Timing Ordinances
To maintain the aesthetic appeal of the Township, local ordinances strictly govern when waste can be visible from the street. Cans and recycling bins cannot be placed at the curb any earlier than 7:00 PM on the evening preceding your designated pickup day, and they must be out by 7:00 AM to avoid being missed. Furthermore, all emptied bins must be retrieved from the curb no later than 9:00 PM on the day of collection and hidden from street view.
Navigating Bulk Waste and Special Pickups
Large household items and appliances are explicitly banned from your weekly refuse pile. To dispose of bulky goods, residents must either submit a Special Refuse Collection application and pay a per-item fee to the Public Works Department, or transport the items directly to the Robert J. Koegel Public Works Complex in Penn Valley. If you choose to drop items off at the Transfer Station, the disposal rate is 14 cents per pound.
Drop-off Facilities
Robert J. Koegel Public Works Complex (Transfer Station)
1300 N Woodbine Avenue, Penn Valley, PA 19072
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lower Merion Township provide me with a trash can?
No. While the Township provides official recycling containers for free, residents must supply their own refuse bins. Standard subscription levels allow for bins up to 48 gallons, while Mini-Can subscribers must use a bin no larger than 20 gallons. All bins must have tight-fitting covers.
Why is my paper not being collected with my plastic recycling?
Lower Merion requires residents to separate paper products from commingled plastics, glass, and metals. The Township collects recycling on an alternating week schedule, meaning paper is collected one week and commingled materials are collected the next.
Can I leave my trash cans at the curb all week?
No. Township ordinances state that refuse containers may not be placed at the curb earlier than 7:00 PM the night before collection and must be retrieved by 9:00 PM on the day of collection. Between collections, all bins must be stored out of sight from the street.
How do I get rid of an old mattress or couch?
Large items cannot be put out with regular weekly trash. You must either download a Special Refuse Collection application and pay the required fee for curbside pickup, or transport the furniture directly to the Township Transfer Station, where you will be charged 14 cents per pound. All mattresses must be wrapped in a plastic bag.