Tamaqua garbage customers are reminded that there is a limit of six garbage bags and one bulky item per household per week. The garbage collector is not required to pick up greater quantities. Bulky items consist of large household items such as furniture, carpet and appliances.

Some items cannot be placed in the garbage and must be recycled or taken to a disposal facility. Items that may not be put out for collection include hazardous waste, asbestos, compressed gas cylinders, combustible materials, latex and oil-based paint, batteries, tires, electronics and appliances containing Freon such as refrigerators and air conditioners.

Garbage cans and bags cannot weigh more than 50 pounds each, and bulky items cannot weigh more than 275 pounds each. Items that exceed these weight limits will not be picked up. There are no limits on the amount of ashes or recyclables that can be put out for collection.

Recyclable materials include white and colored papers, cardboard, newspapers, magazines, phone books, glass bottles, tin and bi-metallic cans, aluminum cans and foil, plastic containers No. 1-7. Items that cannot be recycled are hard cover books, mirrors, window glass, Styrofoam, light bulbs, plastic bags, plastic bottle caps and yard waste. Recyclables mixed with garbage will not be picked up. Recyclable materials must be placed in a clear plastic bag or loose in a garbage can, recycling bin or other container. The borough has single-stream recycling service; no sorting or separating of recyclables is required. Garbage and recyclables must be placed at the curb for pickup the night before collection. Recyclables are collected every Wednesday morning.

Tamaqua is pleased to offer a drop-off electronic recycling program to borough residents. Residents must visit the Tamaqua Municipal Building, 320 E. Broad St., during normal business hours and they will be directed to the drop-off site. Disposal fees are $5 for one item, $8 for two items and $10 for three items and there is a limit of three items per household per month. This program is only available to borough residents and proof of residency is required.

Electronic devices that are accepted include computers, laptops, monitors, televisions and computer peripherals (keyboard, printer, mouse or other device connected to a computer). Pennsylvania law requires that these devices be recycled. The borough’s garbage collector will not pick them up.

Electronic devices that are not accepted include telephones, mobile phones, calculators, GPS devices, appliances, motor vehicle parts, and other devices whether or not they include electronic components. These can be put out with garbage.

Questions may be directed to the Tamaqua Municipal Building during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or call 570-668-0300.