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Administration

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1. What are the Borough's hours of operation?

State College Borough's regular hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

2. How do I register to vote?

Information about voter registration and elections can be found at the Centre County Office of Elections and Voter Registration Website. Information on voting in Pennsylvania can also be found at VotesPA.com.

Office of Elections & Voter Registration

3. How do I get the Council meeting agendas?

You can subscribe to a list to be notified when the agenda becomes available on the Borough's website. Council usually meets the first and third Monday evenings at 7 p.m. in a regular meeting and the second Monday evening at 7 p.m. in a work session. To see when Council is meeting, visit the Borough's Calendar. Agendas are usually posted on Friday for Monday meetings. To see a list of current agenda items, click here.

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4. How do I get the Council meeting minutes?

You can subscribe to a list to be notified when minutes are available on the Borough website.

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5. Where is the Municipal Building located?

The State College Municipal Building is located at 243 South Allen Street, State College, PA 16801.

6. Where is the Maintenance Facility Located?

The State College Maintenance Facility is located at 330 South Osmond Street, State College, PA 16801

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Budget FAQ

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1. What is a mill?

A mill is a Real Estate tax rate. The rate is expressed as a rate per thousand, which is why it’s called “mill.” In order to calculate the Real Estate taxes for a property in the State College Borough, you use the following formula: ((Assessed Value – Homestead Exclusion)/1,000) x Millage Rate. By way of example, let us say your home has an assessed value of $250,000. Your Real Estate taxes for 2015 would be calculated as follows: ((250,000 - 25,000) /1,000) x 14.4 = $3,240. The Assessed Value is 50% of the 1995 market value. When a home is sold, or built, the County Assessment Office uses a formula to calculate the 1995 Market Value to determine the Assessed Value. The Taxable Assessed Value of all properties in the Borough for the 2015 Real Estate Taxes was $454,604,117, so one mill of tax rate represents $454,604 in Real Estate Tax revenue for the Borough.

2. Why can’t the Borough borrow money from the Parking Fund for the General Fund?

It is generally expected that municipalities that run “business-like” activities can only charge users of those services the cost of providing that service. That means that the Borough can only charge customers of the Refuse Service the cost of operating that service. The Borough can’t “make money” on that service and use the “profit” to subsidize other services. The Borough can generate excess revenue and use that excess to fund capital improvements or assets used in providing that service. If the Borough regularly over-charged users of services, like Refuse Services, and used that money to subsidize other services, the users of the Refuse Service would have a basis to challenge the service rates. Citizens have filed law suits against municipalities that regularly produce excess revenue over expenses in enterprise funds and use those funds to support General Government operations.

3. Why is the budgetary problem with revenue and not expenditures?

Just like at home, expenses generally rise at the rate of inflation. In any given year, if the cost of groceries, fuel and other home expenses increase with inflation, and you don’t receive a raise in pay, you would experience what the Borough has been experiencing over the last ten years. Expenses have been rising at the rate of inflation and at an even greater rate in the case of health care and pension costs, while revenue has not been increasing at a comparable rate. The main sources of revenue for the General Fund consist of taxes. The main two taxes are Real Estate and Earned Income Tax (EIT). Real Estate taxes are based on the Taxable Assessed Value of properties in the Borough. The only time the Assessed Value of properties increase is when there is new development or a county-wide reassessment. The last reassessment was in 1995 and the supply of developable land in the Borough is minimal. Because the Assessed Value has not increased, the tax revenue only increases when the millage rate is increased. We call this a lack of “natural revenue growth.” Similarly, EIT taxes are based on the earned income of residents of the Borough. We are experiencing a trend of higher wage earners migrating to the townships surrounding the Borough, so the Earned Income of residents in the Borough has also not been increasing. This contributes to the lack of “natural growth” in the Borough’s revenue.

4. Is the Borough running out of money?

The answer is both yes and no. The Borough’s bank account is not approaching zero. Borough Council has adopted a policy of keeping a reserve of 12% of annual expenses for the General Fund. That reserve is in place to provide for fluctuations in cash flow and to provide an emergency fund if the Borough experiences some unexpected emergency. For several years, the Borough has been able to maintain a reserve that was greater than the 12%. During the last three years, the Borough has used some of that excess reserve to balance the budget. The Manager’s budget proposal for 2016 is balanced with current expenses being paid with current revenues. Just like at home, you can only go for a short period of time where you’re spending more money than you’re taking in. If the Borough performs at budgeted levels for 2015, its reserve will reach the 12% minimum.

5. What is the difference between what Penn State University would pay in real estate taxes versus what is received in impact fees?

Centre County estimates the assessed value of tax-exempt property. Based on the best information available, the total Assessed Value for Penn State property in the Borough was $262.9 million in 2015. If the property were taxable, the resulting 2015 real estate tax payment to the Borough would be approximately $3.8 million.

6. How often does the Borough replace computer equipment and vehicles?

The Borough does maintain a Capitalization and Depreciation policy, which is published in the "Policies and Processes" section of the 2015 Budget beginning on page B-12, should you be interested in more detailed information. The policy offers guidance to management in complying with financial reporting requirements and for planning for the logical replacement of capital assets.

In general, three factors are used to determine the method and timing of replacement: cost, useful life and salvage value. There are, however, some assets (e.g. computers) that have a negligible salvage value at their useful life, so useful life is the only deciding factor for replacement. Computers and Equipment are replaced according to their estimated useful life of 3-7 years. Vehicles, on the other hand, are replaced according to their estimated useful life of 3-12 years, provided that the vehicle under consideration also meets the Borough's minimum mileage/hours use requirement.

For example, Frontline Police Interceptors are replaced after three years and 120,000 miles of use. Dump trucks used in Public Works operations are replaced after 12 years and 65,000 miles of use. The minimum mileage/hours usage is the point at which, on average, a vehicle is reasonably depreciated, but not yet incurring significant maintenance costs. Vehicles that meet both the age and mileage thresholds are sold to the highest bidder and the funds are used to offset the cost of the replacement vehicle.

7. Why don’t the local municipalities consolidate?

Pennsylvania law requires that voters approve the consolidation of municipalities. A majority of all voters in each municipality, which are on the ballot for consolidation, must vote to approve the consolidation. While there have been a few consolidations in Pennsylvania, this majority vote requirement creates a high threshold for consolidation to occur. On two previous occasions over the past 30 years, a ballot question for approval of consolidation in the Centre Region has been rejected by voters.

8. Does the County or School District provide any financial contributions to the Centre Region Council of Governments (COG)?

The County does provide a contribution to COG. The School District does not; however, COG has received some favorable terms on land and lease arrangements through the Centre Region Parks and Recreation Authority entity.

9. Has there been any movement of Penn State University to the south of College Avenue and do these properties pay Real Estate Taxes?

Penn State has purchased property south of College Avenue in the past. Whether or not the properties pay taxes is dependent on how the property is used. Penn State makes a Payment in Lieu of Taxes for any property that is used for non-university purposes. Over the past year, the only property that has transferred to Penn State is the College Heights Elementary School. The College Heights school was tax exempt before the transfer and it will continue to be tax exempt.

10. Is there a forecast for Earned Income and Net Profits Tax related to new development within the Borough?

The Earned Income Tax not only applies to earned income, it also applies to net profits for sole proprietorships and partnerships. New developments within the Borough that increase the number of working residents will certainly have an impact on the Earned Income and Net Profits Tax collected. Retirements and changes in the population mix also impact the amount of tax collected each year. There is not enough scientific data that would allow the Borough to accurately predict the impact of residential development on the Earned Income and Net Profits Tax.

11. When was the Business Privilege Tax (BPT) eliminated?

As recommended by the Ad Hoc Tax Study Committee, the Business Privilege Tax (BPT) was repealed as an action of Council in 2005. The BPT repeal was combined with an increase in Real Estate taxes and the implementation of the Homestead Exclusion for owner occupied property. The changes took effect in 2006. At the same time the Homestead Exclusion was enacted, the Commonwealth also replaced the Occupation Privilege Tax with the Emergency Municipal Services Tax (which later became the Local Services Tax). The EMST/LST provided revenue to cover the cost of the Homestead Exclusion for homeowners. (Ad Hoc Tax Study Report: www.statecollegepa.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=385; What is taxable as EIT: www.statecollegepa.us/DocumentCenter/View/11342)

12. How can the Borough tax rainwater?

The Borough cannot tax rainwater. The Borough can create a Storm Sewer Authority and charge user fees, similar to a sanitary sewer system. With a Sanitary Sewer Authority, user fees are charged to property owners based on the amount of water consumed. Funds received through the fee, can only be used within the operation of the sanitary sewer system. The same would be true for a Storm Water Authority. A Storm Sewer Authority would charge a user fee generally on the amount of impervious area of a property since the impervious area is what generates storm water flow that the municipality needs to manage. Unlike a tax, user fees can be assessed to tax-exempt properties. As an example, a church with a large parking lot would pay a high user fee based on the impervious area because they generate a need for storm sewers due to storm water runoff. Presently, general tax dollars are used for storm sewer improvements and maintenance. Churches, as well as other non-profit entities that generate storm water runoff, do not contribute monetarily for the storm sewer improvements. If a Storm Sewer Authority were to be created, funds received through user fees would be restricted to storm sewer improvements and maintenance. Since Penn State owns a significant portion of the storm water system in State College, it is unclear as to how this fee might apply to the University.

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Earned Income Tax & eFiling

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1. How do I get earned income tax forms?

The Earned Income & Net Profits Tax Returns can be obtained by visiting the Centre Tax Agency webpage or by contacting the tax office at (814) 278-4709. It should be noted that taxpayers do have the option to file the local tax return on-line through the eFiling module. The eFiling module can be accessed through  Services.

Centre Tax Agency

2. Who can file?

One of the goals of the legislature, when adopting Act 32 of 2008, was to realign county boundary lines to avoid school districts being split between two or more counties. In Centre County, residents who live in the Townships of Taylor, Rush, Curtin, and Liberty along with residents of Philipsburg Borough do not file their local Earned Income and Net Profits Tax Returns as part of the Centre County Tax Collection District. This realignment does not change these taxpayers' legal residence nor does it mean that their real estate taxes are treated as outside Centre County. Since most counties have had some of their municipalities shifted for purposes of the Earned Income and Net Profits Tax, each geographic region is referred to as a Tax Collection District rather than a 'county'.

3. What will I need to eFile?

The tax office recommends that you gather together the following items that will be needed during the online interview process:

• Compensation and Net Income/Loss Documentation (includes W-2’s, 1099’s, Schedule(s) for income)
• Unreimbursed Employee Business Expenses
• If you have moved, your addresses and move dates during the tax year
• Amount of Philadelphia Tax Credit (if applicable)
• Schedule G if claiming out of state tax credits
• If required to file a local tax return elsewhere, you will need a completed copy of the other municipality’s local tax return (including documentation)
• Proof of non-residency status (if filing at non-resident tax rate
• If you owe a payment and plan on paying at the time you file, please have available your credit card and/or checking account information (if you prefer to issue an electronic check or schedule an ACH debit)

4. If I use eFiling, what has been done to protect my confidential information?

The tax office has consulted with security and industry professionals to ensure that steps have been taken to safely gather your personal information and to retain it in a format that protects it from outside sources. The electronic filing system is also protected by 128-bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption, the industry standard for online banking and trading.

5. Is there a fee to file electronically?

Centre Tax Agency is offering this electronic filing option free of charge to taxpayers. If a taxpayer owes additional taxes for the tax year, he/she can pay the balance due in person, by mail, or by using several electronic payments options. If you pay by authorizing an ACH debit from your bank account, there is no fee for the transaction. However, if you elect to pay by credit card or electronic check, Official Payments Corporation (OPC), a third party vendor, will process your transaction. OPC does charge a fee for their services. If you have questions about paying electronically, please contact the tax office for additional information.

6. How do I eFile?

Follow the step-by-step instructions for the filing process. The program will prompt you to enter information needed to calculate your local tax return. The basic steps are as follows:

• Taxpayer Interview (identifies taxpayer and his/her spouse)
• Residency Interview (sets up address history including tracking of physical address where you resided and mailing address information)
• Income and Adjustments
• Tax Return Summary (calculate tax due and status -refund, even, or balance due)
• Sign and Print

7. Short form or long form?

Taxpayers will find an option to select a short or long tax return form. For a significant number of taxpayers, the short form allows taxpayers with simple tax circumstances to reduce the amount of data entry needed to file. Please review the information provided to help you determine whether you should file the short or long form tax return.

8. What happens after I eFile?

When you have completed this process, information gathered during the interactive on-line interview will be compared to tax office records. If your filing agrees with information readily available to the tax office, an update will be made to your account signifying that you have met your local filing requirements. It should be noted that your local tax office does not have the same access to your tax information as made available to the state and federal governments. The tax office reserves the right to request additional information, including documentation related to your income, net profits, business expenses, or other items to verify residency issues.

9. What benefit is there to filing electronically?

Taxpayers who file their tax returns electronically should expect a quicker response time for processing their tax returns. Taxpayers with complex tax returns may find that the electronic filing option does not best suit their filing needs.

10. What if I am asked by the tax office to provide additional information and fail to do so?

Taxpayers who have been notified that their tax returns are incomplete will be contacted by the tax office and provided 30 days to respond. If a response is not received in that time frame, the return will move into an incomplete filing status which means that you have not met your tax return filing obligation.

11. Who should I contact with any further questions?

Contact the Centre Tax Agency by phone at (814) 278-4709 or by e-mail at centretaxagency@statecollegepa.us. The Centre Tax Agency is located in the State College Municipal Building, 243 South Allen Street, State College, Pennsylvania.

12. How do I file an extension form?

An extension form with applicable payment must be submitted to Centre Tax Agency by the due date as indicated on the extension form.  An extension form DOES NOT grant an extended time to pay a balance due and DOES NOT waive penalty and interest.  It only extends the time to file a local Earned Income & Net Profits Tax Return.  Centre Tax Agency would also accept a copy of the Federal or State extension form if filed by the due date.

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Hosting a Community Event

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1. Can I host an event in the Municipal Building?

State College Borough recognizes the benefit of providing approved groups/organizations the use of Borough meeting room facilities to conduct lawful business that supports the municipal purposes of the Borough as defined in the Borough of State College Facility Use Policy and Regulations. An application must be completed and submitted to the Borough Manager's Office located at 243 South Allen Street, State College, PA 16801. Reservations must be made two weeks in advance if held during normal business hours, one month in advance if the event is scheduled for after-hours. A fee may apply and availability is not guaranteed. The Borough reserves the right to cancel any event scheduled, if the facilities are required for the conduct of official business. Please make sure to read the rules and regulations.

Facility Use Form

2. How do I host an outdoor event in State College?

To host an event on public property (parks, streets, municipal grounds) the event organizer must fill out an application for use of public property (special activities) form and submit a certificate of insurance six to eight weeks in advance of the event to receive approval from municipal staff and Borough Council. If food will be served, an additional form, Registration of a Food Event for Charitable Organization, must be completed and signed at the time of submission. If a public park is to be used, the event organizer must receive prior approval from the Centre Region Parks and Recreation. If roads are to be closed, affected business owners must be contacted and asked to approve the closure in writing prior to submission of the form. If State Roads are to be closed (University Drive, College Avenue, Beaver Avenue, etc.), a TE-300 Form must be submitted to PennDOT and the application process should begin 10 to 12 weeks prior to the event. Staff will be happy to clarify these regulations and assist you in organizing your event. Please call 814-234-7110 for more information.

Application for Use of Public Property Form

3. How do I rent facilities at a Centre Region park?

Visit the Centre Region Parks and Recreation website for more information.  

Centre Region Parks and Recreation

4. What do I need to do if I am serving food at a charitable event?

Groups planning to serve any food or drink at an event open to the public must contact the State College Division of Health and Neighborhood Services and return the completed Registration of a Food Event for Charitable Organizations application along with proof of non-profit status to the above address prior to the event or activity.

All applications must be submitted to the Division at least five (5) business days prior to the event.

Food Application for Non-profit Groups

5. How do I go about setting up recycling at my special event?

Contact the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority by phone at 814-238-3195 and let them know what you are planning. They will work with you to include recycling at your event.

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Public Works

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1. How do I get water service?

Any property owner desiring the connection of a service or lines to their premises must make a written application on the form furnished by the Authority giving all information required, at least twenty (20) days before service is required, which application must be approved by the Authority or its duly authorized agent before the water will be supplied. When required in writing by property owner, application for water service may be received from a tenant under the condition that the owner acts as a guarantor for the payment of all charges. Such action shall not relieve the owner of any obligation which exists under the Rules and Regulations of the Authority.

State College Borough Water Authority

2. Whom do I call before I dig?

According to PA Act 287, anyone digging in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania must contact Pennsylvania One Call at 8-1-1, before beginning excavation to avoid damaging underground utilities.

PA One Call

3. How do I report a pot hole or other street impairment?

You can report a pot hole or other street impairment through the Borough's RequestTracker module/app.

RequestTracker

4. Do I need a permit?

You may need a permit if you are doing any sanitary sewer work, any underground utility work, any plantings other than in the grass in the grassplot, any driveway entrance work or if you are occupying the street or grassplot for a period of time (no fee).

Click here to find out if you need a permit.

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Refuse and Recycling

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1. Can the Borough pick up electronics?

Yes, the Borough will pick up your electronics (printer, TV, toaster, etc...) but you'll need inform Public Works before sitting it out. You can do this by filling out the Bulk Refuse & Brush Collection Form or call Public Works at (814) 234-7135. Bulk Refuse & Brush Collection Form

2. Am I required to recycle?

Yes, Pennsylvania Act 101 mandates recycling for many communities including State College, College, Harris, Ferguson, Harris and Patton. All residents and businesses are required to recycle the following:

• Mixed office paper (magazines, paperboard, envelopes, etc.),
• Newspaper & phone books,
• Plastic bottles, narrow-necked jugs & jars,
• Steel & aluminum cans,
• Glass bottles, and
• Corrugated cardboard.

In addition to these items, the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority will no longer accept covered devices (electronics) as refuse.

3. Who should I contact about recycling?

The Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority (CCRRA) is responsible for curbside recycling in State College. To contact CCRRA call (814) 238-7005 or visit the CCRRA office during regular operating hours, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The CCRRA’s transfer station is located behind the mall at 253 Transfer Road, Bellefonte, PA 16823.

Recycling drop-off bins are available 24/7.

Centre Region Recycling and Refuse Authority

4. How do I obtain recycling and refuse containers?

The Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority provides red bins for residential recycling and blue bins for multifamily housing units and commercial recycling. Visit CCRRA's website to find out how to obtain a bin.

State College Borough provides bins for both trash and organics recycling. Each property is assigned two distinctive carts, one to be used for regular trash (black lid) and one for organic waste collection (green lid). Through a mailed survey, each residence had the opportunity to select the size cart to be used for each collection: 35-gallon (2-3 tall kitchen bags), 65-gallon (4-6 tall kitchen bags) and 95-gallon (7-9 tall kitchen bags). Contact the Public Works Department at (814) 234-7135 with any questions.

5. What day of the week is my refuse picked up?

Curbside refuse and recycling collection occur on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Bulk and brush item collection begins on Monday of each week unless there is a holiday.

Routes are planned to allow early access to areas where parked cars will pose a problem for collection vehicles. Curbside collection of trash and recycling, including organics, occur on the same day. Check the map provided or call (814) 234-7135 to find out the day of your collection.

Collection Day Map

6. What else can I recycle?

View our A to Z Guide on Recycling for information on all things recycling. Below are a few of the highlights:

• Miscellaneous plastics: Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority has a recycling drop-off container at their office and at the Hamilton Square Shopping Center for items such as margarine and yogurt containers. Drop-off recycling information is available on their website.
• Plastic bags and other plastic film: Many of the major retail stores and grocers provide bins for their customers to recycle plastic grocery bags and bread bags. Stores in the State College area that recycle plastic bags include: Giant, Wegman’s Food, Weis and Wal-mart.
• Organics: Composting also known as organics recycling is available for all residential refuse accounts. The Borough will begin collecting food and yard waste at the curb to be recycled in April of 2013. You can also compost at home.
• Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFL’s): The Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority has a free CFL recycling program in place that accepts unbroken, compact bulbs. Just drop the bulbs off at their office located behind the mall at 253 Transfer Road, Bellefonte, PA 16823.
• Covered devices (computers, monitors, etc.): The Centre Region Recycling and Refuse Authority has opened a permanent collection site for electronics. Check out their Electronics Recycling Guide for more details on the program.
• Books: Soft cover books can be collected at curbside if bundled just like magazines and newspapers or at a drop-off bin labeled “mixed paper.”
• Tires: Tires can be recycled at the Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority for a fee of $10.00 for any tires weighing up to 280 pounds. If the weight is greater than 280 pounds, the tires are charged at $70/ton ($100/ton for commercial accounts).
• Antifreeze: Most antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, which causes dizziness or nausea and is deadly if ingested. Most service stations and repair shops recycle antifreeze. If you replace your own anti-freeze, have a local service station recycle it. Also, you might consider purchasing non-ethylene glycol anti-freeze.
• Lead-Acid (Automotive) Batteries: When purchasing a new battery for your vehicle, most places offer a cash discount for returning your old one. If you have an extra lead-acid battery that you need to dispose of, stores that sell car batteries will accept them back.
• Motor Oil: Several service stations in Centre County accept used motor oil from residents. The Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority keeps a list of motor oil recyclers available for residents who need to dispose of their used motor oil.
• Microwaves: Residents may bring microwaves to the Transfer Station during normal operating hours and place in a location designated for Scrap Metal.
• Brown paper bags: Recycle brown paper bags with newspaper or use to hold your compostable items for curbside recycling.
• Household batteries: Alkaline batteries can be thrown away with you regular trash. Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion) and small sealed lead (Pb) can be recycled. Drop-off locations include Radio Shack and Wal-mart. You may also bring your old rechargeable batteries to the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority office.
• Roof Shingles: The Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority accepts post-consumer shingles at a discounted rate of $35 per ton. An acceptable load should include only shingles, nails, and tarpaper.
• Paint: The best way to dispose of paint is to use the paint. If you cannot use the paint try giving it to someone who can: theater groups, church groups, shelters for people in need, community organization or Habitat for Humanity's ReStore (call for specification 814-353-2390).

7. Does refuse pickup change during the holidays?

Yes, see the holiday refuse schedule for more information.

Holiday Refuse Schedule

8. Does State College compost?

Yes, the Borough composts and is expanding its composting program. In the spring of 2013, the Borough expanded residential collection of food waste Borough-wide to decrease the amount of waste sent to the landfill and collect organic matter for its composting operations. Find out more about the Borough's compost program.

9. What is accepted in residential organics recycling carts?

The following Items are accepted as part of our residential organics recycling program:

• food waste both cooked and uncooked,
• paper products such as plates, napkins, tissues and newspapers,
• garden waste,
• grass clippings, brush and leaves.

10. Why is State College Borough switching to 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 refuse carts by this automated equipment takes about 12 seconds per stop compared to close to 45 seconds per stop with current collection equipment. Automated collection is also a safer collection method, reducing the risk of injury to Borough employees.

11. What is automated collection?

Automated collection is a new collection method in State College, but is used across the Commonwealth and around the world. Each residence is provided a wheeled cart for refuse and a wheeled cart for organics. Carts are rolled to the street on collection day. The collection truck will lift and dump the container, replacing it at the curb. The operator almost never leaves the truck and controls the entire process from the driver’s seat.

View video of trucks in action...

12. Do I use my own trash bins?

No, each household is assigned up to two distinctive carts at no additional cost, one to be used for regular trash (black lid) and one for organic waste collection (green lid). Each residence had the opportunity to select the size cart to be used for each collection:

• 35-Gallon (equivalent to one typical household garbage can)
• 65-Gallon (equivalent to two typical garbage cans)
• 95-Gallon (equivalent to three typical garbage cans)

13. Why must I use a Borough issued cart?

These carts are necessary for automated collection of refuse and the additional service of food waste collection curbside. Each cart has an identification number linking the cart to your property and to your refuse account.

14. When and where should I place my refuse and organics carts?

Place your carts at the curb the night before collection day. Carts must be placed out for collection by 7 a.m. on your collection day. Retrieve your carts by the end of your collection day. Crews work 10-hour days; therefore, your carts may be collected late in the day. Please wait an appropriate amount of time before calling in a missed cart.

Instructions for Borough issued carts: Place carts three feet apart at the curb line. Keep carts, at least, three feet away from mailboxes or other obstructions. Point the lid arrows on the cart toward the street. Retrieve your carts by the end of your collection day. It is important to place your cart correctly at the curb to improve automated collection efficiency.

15. Can I bag my organic materials?

Yes, if you use the correct bags. For example, paper grocery bags are compostable. Compostable plastic bags are also available. Do not use “bio-degradable” bags, unless the product also says “compostable.” Even "bio-degradable" bags may breakdown into compounds that are undesirable in finished compost.

Compostable Bag Flyer

16. Do I still have to bag my trash if it is in a cart with a lid?

Borough ordinances still require that all refuse material be bagged. Otherwise, the loose material can still blow away while the cart is being dumped on windy days. To keep your neighborhood and the Borough litter free, please bag your trash. Organic waste, however, can be placed loosely in the organics recycling container.

17. What if I have extra trash that won’t fit in the cart?

Most homes will probably experience this at least once or twice per year. If you occasionally have extra trash, place it bagged or in a spare container near the regular trash cart on collection day. The driver will dump the cart then place the extra material into the cart to dump it again. For organic waste, make sure to use a compostable bag or place in a spare container, no loose material will be collected.

18. What should I do when it snows?

Carts should not be placed on a snow bank. Accumulated snow should be cleared before the carts are placed at the curb.

19. Why do I have to make sure the lid is closed?

The lid on Borough carts is designed to discourage pests, including crows, from scattering rubbish. Also, trash taken to the Transfer Station for disposal is billed to the Borough by weight. Snow and rain will add unnecessary water weight to the trash. Since water weighs 8 pounds per gallon, it doesn’t take much rain or snow to add significant and unnecessary weight to the trash, increasing the cost of disposal.

20. If I move, do I take the cart with me?

No, the cart is assigned to the address on the refuse account.

21. What if I need a larger or smaller cart?

If you select a cart and determine that it is not the right size for your volume of refuse or organics recycling, the Borough will offer you the opportunity to exchange carts. Please call the Public Works Department at (814) 234-7135 for information on how to exchange carts.

22. Am I required to recycle organics?

No. Participation in organics recycling is strictly voluntary; however, restrictions remain on certain organics, like grass clippings, which may not be collected as garbage. The Borough performs seasonal leaf collection and weekly brush collection, both from the ground. Loose piles of organic material will not be collected, except during the seasonal leaf collection schedule. The organics carts are for food scraps and other organics like grass clippings, garden gleanings, hedge clippings and spent flower and vegetable plants; if you do not compost those items in your back yard. If you opt out of the organics recycling program, grass clippings may be dropped off at the Glenn O. Hawbaker Recycling Center.

23. Can I get at-door trash collection?

At-door service is offered for residual waste (garbage) for a fee unless you have a medical exemption. As with other recycling, organics must be taken to the curb. To request medical exempt status for at-door collect, please contact the Public Works Department at (814) 234-7135.

More information on at-door service...

24. What food scraps can be recycled?

Nearly 30% of what we throw away in our garbage is organic and the average single-family household throws away about 45 pounds of food scraps and food-soiled paper every month. Items such as vegetable and fruit trimmings, meats, fish and poultry scraps and bones, plate scrapings, egg shells, coffee grounds, paper towels and napkins–even greasy pizza delivery boxes–can be recycled in your organics cart.

25. What happens if my cart is damaged?

Manufacturers offer 10-year warranties on these carts, so damage should be rare. If the damage is a result of wear and tear or Borough crews collecting the carts, we will repair or replace the cart. If a cart is damaged due to misuse, the cart will be repaired or replaced and the resident will be invoiced for the cost of repair or replacement. Please contact the Department if your cart is damaged at (814) 234-7135.

26. Can I get an extra garbage cart?

If your volume of residual waste occasionally exceeds the capacity of your cart, we will accept an additional bag of trash beside the trash cart. If your volume of refuse exceeds a 95-gallon cart on a regular basis, someone on our staff will meet with you to discuss recycling more to reduce the volume of waste headed to the landfill. Alternative billing arrangements can be made if it is not possible to reduce your residual waste to a single 95-gallon cart.

27. Can I get an extra recycling bin?

Contact Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority at (814) 238-7005 to inquire about additional recycling bins.

28. How do I request bulk item collection?

Bulk items are collected on a regular weekly schedule, except during holiday weeks. It is necessary to call in or complete the web form to request a bulk item collection. Call (814) 234-7135 to arrange for bulk pick up or select the "Submit a Service Request" button on the Borough's homepage to access the bulk item request form.

Submit a Service Request

29. What items are accepted in the green-lid organics cart?

The following items will be accepted:

• Leaves (except during spring and fall leaf collection)
• Food waste
• Grass clippings
• Branches & tree limbs, under 2" in diameter
• Roots
• Plants, flowers, shrubbery and prunings
• Sawdust
• Wood ash & charcoal (cold ash only)

30. What items are accepted in the black-lid garbage carts?

Use your garbage cart for everything that cannot be recycled in your green-lid organics cart or recycled in you red or blue recycling bins.

31. What items are not be accepted in the green-lid organics cart?

The following items will not be accepted in the green-lid organics cart:

• Leaves (during spring and fall leaf collection)
• Pet droppings or kitty litter
• Plastics or synthetics
• Tree limbs over 2" thick or tree stumps
• Sod and soil
• Lumber or construction material
• Non-compostable bags
• Coal ash or hot wood ash/charcoal

32. How should I prepare items for my green-lid organics cart?

• Rake leaves and grass into the cart by placing it on its side
• Cut branches to fit in the cart with the lid closed
• Remove soil from root systems of plants
• Place ashes in the receptacle only after fully cooling
• Use compostable bags for any additional yard waste

33. How do I get my leaves collected?

During the fall leaf collection season, leaves are collected at the curb every over week. During the spring leaf collection season, leaves are collected every week. During the winter and summer months, leaves can be deposited in the organics recycling bin for collection.

To view the current leaf collection schedule and find out how to prepare your leaves for collection, visit the Refuse and Recycling webpage. If you choose to opt out of the organics recycling program, leaves can be dropped off at Glenn O. Hawbaker Recycling Centre during the summer and winter.

Leaf Collection Schedule

34. How do I start or stop my refuse collection?

Please contact the State College Borough Finance Department at (814) 278-4766 to start or stop service at your residence or business.

35. How can I find out more about the Borough's organics recycling program?

Watch a video about the organics recycling program by clicking here.

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Volunteer Opportunities

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1. Do you want to volunteer in the State College community?

There are many ways you can learn about volunteer opportunities in State College.

First, find organizations seeking volunteers through a volunteer network database:

• Volunteer Match (enter in your location to find local opportunities)
• Do Something (targeted toward youth)
• Generation On (provides resources on projects youth can start on their own to serve the community)

Second, Find local volunteer opportunities through an organization like the Community Help Center: Along with assisting clients, the Community Help Center also helps members in our community who are looking for a volunteer opportunity. Depending on the person's interests, the organization will work to place them either at Community Help Centre or with another agency in the area.

Before contacting the a local volunteer agency, consider why you want to volunteer, how much time you have to donate, what issues you want to address and what populations of people you want to work with. Call 814-234-8222 or stop in the Centre Helps at 141 West Beaver Ave to find volunteer opportunities that match your interests.

Centre Helps

2. How do I become an AmeriCorps Service Member?

Visit the Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps website for more information on how to serve.

Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps

3. How do I volunteer on a Borough advisory board?

Click the link below to learn how to volunteer.

Volunteer...