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Solid Waste (Refuse)
To set up a new account for refuse collection, contact the State College Borough Finance Department at (814) 278-4766
Fees for service are billed semi-annually in January and June. Residential rates include the cost of normal refuse collection, bulk item pick up, grass/leaves/brush collection and the collection of recyclable materials by the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority. Questions regarding bills should be directed to the Finance Division at (814) 278-4766.
Pay Refuse Bill Online...
About Our Program
Automated Collection
Borough Council authorized changing the existing labor-intensive collection system to an automated system in order to expand the food/organic waste collection pilot program to all Borough residential refuse customers without increasing refuse fees. The collection of cans by this automated equipment takes about 12 seconds per stop compared to close to 45 seconds per stop with non-automated collection equipment. Automated collection is also a safer collection method, reducing the risk of injury to Borough employees from exposure to sharps and household hazardous waste, weightlifting injuries and vehicular collisions. As shown in the video at left, the truck has an automated arm that will reach out to grasp each cart, lift the cart and dump it into the truck.
Cart Program
How Do I Get A Cart?
- All can-collected properties were issued new refuse (trash) cart for landfill-bound materials
- Organics carts were also delivered unless the resident or property owner opted out.
- All program carts are the property of State College Borough.
- Carts have a 10-year warranty and damage due to normal use will be covered. Misuse or abuse that causes damage will be the responsibility of the resident.
- If you have moved into the area recently, please contact the Public Works Department for more information on how to obtain a cart.
How & When Do I Place My Cart for Collection?
- Carts should be 3’ from any obstruction, including trees, signs and other carts when presented for collection.
- At-door service requires a 3’ clear path from the cart to the street with no snow, brush, cars or other obstructions to impede the collector.
- Do not place materials on top of the cart for collection.
- Lids should be closed to keep pests and rainfall out and waste in the cart.
- Carts should be at the curb by 7 a.m. on your collection day.
- Holidays may delay your collection day. Please see Holiday Schedule for details
- Refuse, organics and red-bin recycling are all collected on the same day.
- If you have more material that will fit in your cart, place it at the curb on collection day beside the Borough-issued cart. All material except brush and loose leaves in the leaf collection season should be in a container for collection.
When is My Collection Day?
Residential refuse collection is provided on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. When you call to set up service for the first time, the Finance Division can tell you what day your refuse is collected. During holiday weeks and other events, please refer to our handout to reference days that impact collection to determine your refuse collection day.
Collection Day Map
On Collection Day
Refuse carts should be placed at or near the curb or edge of the street/alley in order to be easily accessible for collection (within 10 feet of the street/alley).
Refuse containers and recycling bins must be removed from the street on the day of collection. Residents failing to remove the containers and bins are subject to a fine.
For the protection of our collectors and the environment, all loose or fine refuse must be enclosed in a bag. (e.g. ashes, plastic wrap, dog hair, kitty litter, tissues, packing peanuts, etc.). Larger items should be placed in refuse carts, but need not be bagged first. (Examples include: pizza boxes, lumber scraps, etc.).
Recyclable Materials
Recyclable materials are collected by the Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority on the same day as refuse collection and are collected at the street.
Scheduling Bulk Pickup
Residents may schedule an appointment for the collection of bulk refuse (i.e. riff-raff, scrap) by submitting a Bulk Refuse Pickup Form or by calling (814) 234-7135, 24 hours a day, and leaving a message.
Bulk Item Collection
- The Borough provides bulk item collection by appointment. The collection begins on Monday of each week, unless canceled by a Monday holiday, and will continue until all requested stops are served.
- Bulk items must be placed at the curb or, if your usual refuse collection point is a dumpster, by the dumpster. Items must be ready for collection by 6 a.m. on the collection day and should not be put out more than 48 hours prior to collection.
- Bulk items will not be collected from alleys unless there is no street frontage. Exceptions are if the property’s usual refuse collection point is a dumpster located in an alley.
- No more than three bulk items should be placed for collection at one time.
- Requests should be made by 5 p.m. on Sunday for collection on Monday. If submitting a request by phone during non-business hours, please leave a detailed message with your name, contact information, property location and description of items for collection or submit the form online. Requests made after 5 p.m. Sunday will be added to the next regular collection list.
Collected Materials
- Bulk refuse is limited to items typically generated by an ordinary household.
- Refrigerators, stoves, washing machines, furniture, and similar items will be collected.
- Electronic devices will be accepted as a bulk item collection only. Electronic devices can no longer be disposed of as refuse and must be recycled at the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority. Acceptable electronic devices are listed at:http://www.centrecountyrecycles.org/electronicsrecycling
Materials Not Collected
- Materials not collected included:
- Building materials, earth and rock, tree limbs, or stumps, any parts of which weigh over 40 pounds or are too large to handle are not collected. These items can be taken to the Glenn O. Hawbaker Recycling Center (earth, rock, limbs, stumps) or directly to the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority (building materials) for disposal. Please note, there will be a cost associated with either of these options.
- Tires are not collected. These may be taken directly to the Centre County Transfer Station for disposal (at cost) or prior arrangements may be made for drop off during normal business hours at the State College Borough Maintenance Facility by calling 234-7135
If no private arrangements can be made to dispose of these items, the Borough will remove them at a cost (labor, equipment and disposal fees plus overhead).
At-Door Service (Exempt)
Persons with physical disabilities who are unable to place the refuse at the curb may request an exemption. If an exemption is granted, refuse will be collected from the house rather than the curb. There is no additional cost for persons with exemptions. The request for exemption must be made to the Public Works Department. Please call (814) 234-7140 or (814) 234-7135 to request an exemption to submit the Request for Exemption form electronically.
At-Door Service (For a Fee)
Residential customers may opt to have at-the-house or "at-door" service. Residents must provide a three-foot (3’) minimum wide level path (no steps) from the street or alley to the collection location. The path must be clear of overhanging brush and snow and ice. Refuse containers cannot be within a structure.
At-the-house service is limited to three 30-gallon refuse containers per week; however, additional quantities (over 90 gallons) will be collected at the street or alley at no additional cost. Refuse containers, when full, cannot be in excess of 40 lbs. Please call (814) 234-7140 or (814) 234-7135 to request at-door service.