Solid Waste (Refuse)
About Our Program
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, the truck has an automated arm that will reach out to grasp each cart, lift the cart and dump it into the truck.
New Accounts
To set up a new account for refuse collection, contact the State College Borough Finance Department at 814-278-4766.
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 Refuse Schedule Handout (PDF) to reference days that impact collection to determine your refuse collection day.
Find your Collection Day by utilizing the tool below:
Persons with physical disabilities due to age, poor health, or as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act may be exempt from placing refuse at the street or alley. Please complete the Disability Exemption Refuse Collection Form for review and consideration.
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 and Refuse Authority on the same day as refuse collection and are collected at the street.