Borough of Rutledge

Sanitation Committee

NOTICE: In 2025, we will have service from a new hauler. Please see our Letter to Residents, distributed in our December mailing.

The Sanitation Committee is focused on supporting the Rutledge Borough’s need for consistent, predictable, and manageable disposal of trash, recycling, and yard waste. We are committed to providing the required services, reducing the cost to the community as much as possible, and ensuring the proper enforcement of ordinances.

Borough Ordinances request items for collection not be placed outside prior to 7PM the night before collection and must be out by 7AM to guarantee pick up.

For a quick view of our schedules, accepted materials, and limitations: Review the 2025 Solid Waste, Trash, and Recycling Schedule

Looking for more resources for Recycling outside of our current scope? Check out these Resources!

Want to support local teachers? Check out Teacher’s Teammates and their accepted donations!

2025 Adjusted Sanitation Dates*

  • Yard Waste Update – First Monday monthly, through April. We will have 2nd pick up June-November.
  • Effective January 6th – Both Recycling and Trash will be collected Mondays.
  • May
    • 26th – Collection moved to Tuesday the 27th due to Memorial Day holiday
  • July
    • 4th – Yard Waste moved to Saturday the 5th due to Fourth of July Holiday.
  • September
    • 1st – Collection moved to Tuesday the2nd due to Labor Day

*Adjusted sanitation dates are subject to change or addition

Review the 2025 Solid Waste, Trash, and Recycling Schedule

Below, find key information about different waste streams!

Trash

Collection is every Monday, with exception for holiday schedules.

  • Refuse containers must be watertight and be provided with cover, less than 90″ in girth, under 50 gallons of capacity, and weigh no more than 50 pounds when full.
  • Containers should be removed from Borough right-of-way within 24 hours after collection. 
  • Residents are requested to review and understand state and county laws and regulations when it comes to disposal of hazardous waste, such as chemicals and sharps.
  • Review additional info in our Borough Ordinance for Solid Waste

What are the rules for Bulk Items? Please reach out directly to SEM at 1-302-832-8000 to provide notice of the bulk item by noon on the Friday prior to collection.

Recycling

Collection is every Monday, with exception for holiday schedules.

Residents are requested to rinse out containers and leave recyclables LOOSE in the bin.

No Plastic Bags

Learn more about Single Stream on this flyer from DSWA

Accepted for Single Stream:

  • Paper – Magazines, junk mail, paper bags, office paper, newspaper, etc.
  • Plastic Containers – Leave Lids on!
  • Cans/Bottles/Jars – Remove lids and recycle separately.
  • Cartons, Paperboard & Corrugated Cardboard

Not Accepted at this time:

  • Plastic Bags (return to retail stores).
  • Shredded Paper
  • Frozen Food/Refrigerated Containers.
  • Food Waste/Garbage
  • Coffee Cups
  • Mirrors/Window Glass
  • Scrap Metal (see e waste events!)
  • Tanglers (Garden Hoses, string lights, nylon rope, etc.)
  • Styrofoam
  • Yard Waste
  • Electronics (these can cause fires, see e waste events!)
  • Batteries (see e waste events!)

Yard Waste

Collection is First Friday of each month and Third Friday from June-November.

Residents are requested to make best effort to keep yard waste bags dry for ease of our haulers.

  • Yard waste tied in twine, under 4′ in length.
  • Loose yard waste in trash cans or brown, paper lawn and leaf bags
  • Logs and branches under 20″ in diameter
  • No Plastic Bags
  • No grass clippings or topsoil
  • No litter / trash

Prohibited items will result in a contamination fee for the borough.

Example of Recycling Non-Compliance Notice:

Electronic Waste

Looking to recycle Electronic Waste? The Rutledge Borough is planning to have an electronic waste event this spring, but in the meantime. Check out some local resources:

Household Hazardous Waste

To improve safety for our haulers and our environment, please do not dispose of HHW in your regular trash. Below is a list of general Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) items, as well as some other items that may require a specific disposal method.

If you are looking to dispose of Household Hazardous Waste, check out this website for planned events in Delco: https://www.delcoswa.org/household-hazardous-waste

Or check out the Delco 2024 HouseHold Hazardous Waste flier! Pre-Registration is required.

You can also look on the Department of Environmental Protection website to see collection events in various counties: https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Land/Waste/SolidWaste/HazardousWaste/Household/Pages/HHW-Collection-Programs.aspx

  • Accept Materials for HHW Events:
    • Paint Products:
      • Turpentine
      • Paint Thinners
      • Strippers & Removers
      • Oil-Based Paints
      • Stains, Varnish, Shellac
      • Spray Paint
      • Solvent-Based Paint Products
      • Wallpaper Cement
    • Household Products:
      • Kerosene
      • Rug & Drain Cleaners
      • Wood & Metal Cleaners
      • Mothballs/Flakes
      • Adhesives/Solvents
      • Spot Removers
      • Dry Cleaning Fluid
      • Fire Extinguishers
      • Rechargeable Batteries
    • Automotive:
      • Grease & Rust Solvents
      • Fuel Additives
      • Carburetor Cleaners
      • Transmission/Brake Fluid
      • Antifreeze
      • Car Batteries (Truck, Motorcycle, Marine)
      • Gas & Oil

  • Outdoor Products:
    • Swimming Pool Chemicals
    • Weed Killers
    • Septic Tank Degreaser
    • Asphalt Sealers
    • Roof Cements
    • Mini Propane Tanks (NO BBQ Tanks – take back to point of purchase)
    • Pesticides
    • Chemical Fertilizer
  • Other Materials:
    • Acids, Caustics, Solvents
    • Flammables
    • Oxidizers
    • Reactives
    • Lead
    • Thermostats (Containing Mercury)
    • Thermometers (Containing Mercury)
    • Fluorescent Tubes & Ballasts
    • CFLs
    • Aerosols
  • Unacceptable Materials:
    • Explosives, Ammunition & Marine Flares
    • Medical & Infectious Waste
    • Prescription Drugs
    • Tires
      • Check the DEP website for Tire Collection events and instructions.
    • Latex Paint
      • Allow latex paint to dry and present for regular pick up with the lid removed. It may not be taken if haulers cannot see it is dry.
    • Electronics
    • Helium & BBQ Tanks
    • Gas Cylinders
    • Asbestos
    • Radioactive Waste
    • Alkaline Batteries
    • Appliances, White Goods, & Freon
      • You must have freon professionally removed & then, with certificate on the unit, they can be disposed of in regular trash.
    • PCBs
    • Smoke Detectors
      • Ionization detectors can be returned to their manufacturer for proper disposal. Photoelectric detectors can be disposed of in regular trash.