Plan Your Clearwater Road Recycling Trip Before You Load the Car
Derry Township operates a resident recycling and yard-waste drop-off facility at 650 Clearwater Road, Hershey, PA 17033. The center uses seasonal hours and has separate rules for cardboard, paper, batteries, oil, bulky items, appliances, tires, foam and yard waste.
For 2026, the township lists its extended recycling-center schedule from March 9 through November 2. Electronics are not accepted at this facility and should be routed through Dauphin County instead.
650 Clearwater Road
Hershey, PA 17033
Off Hersheypark Drive
Derry Township, Dauphin County
Quick answer: The Hershey-area Derry Township Recycling Center is at 650 Clearwater Road. During the township’s current 2026 extended schedule, it is open Monday and Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Friday and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday are closed. Verify holiday or temporary changes on the township website before a special trip.
Make sure you have the right Derry Township. This page covers the Derry Township Recycling Center in Hershey, Dauphin County. It does not cover Derry Township in Westmoreland County or Derry Township in Mifflin County. If your directions do not lead to 650 Clearwater Road in Hershey, you are looking at a different municipality.
On this page
Derry Township Recycling Center Hours for 2026
Derry Township’s current trash and recycling page states that the Recycling Center and Yard Waste Drop-off schedule below is effective from March 9 through November 2, 2026. This is more precise than relying on an old map listing or an older seasonal flyer.
March 9–November 2, 2026
Winter pattern shown by township
After November 2: the township’s recycling-center fee sheet describes a reduced winter schedule, but confirm the actual 2026–27 effective date before relying on it. Seasonal transitions, holidays and temporary closures can change access.
Address, Phone Number and Resident Access
Address
650 Clearwater Road
Hershey, PA 17033
The township describes the location as off Hersheypark Drive.
Contact
717-533-2057, Option 4
The Derry Recycle Line is 717-533-8665 for information on hours, accepted items and recycling services.
Eligibility
The township’s recycling-center service sheet states “Township residents only.”
If residency is unclear or you are handling material for another household, call before loading the vehicle.
The township operates this center mainly for materials that are not handled through normal curbside recycling. That distinction matters: an item may be recyclable somewhere without being eligible for drop-off at Clearwater Road.
Accepted Items and Current Township Fee Sheet
The fee information below comes from the recycling-center service sheet currently linked from Derry Township’s official trash and recycling page. The document itself carries an older revision date, so treat these as the township’s currently published listed charges and confirm before taking a large or expensive load.
| Material | Township-listed rule | Listed charge |
|---|---|---|
| Corrugated cardboard | Clean, dry and flattened | No charge |
| Paper | Mail, magazines, packing paper and office paper; no newsprint | No charge |
| Selected batteries | The township sheet accepts several battery types but specifically excludes alkaline and lithium-ion batteries | No charge for accepted batteries |
| Antifreeze / motor oil | Only these listed fluids; do not mix them | $2.00 per item |
| Propane tanks / canisters | Place in the designated outside collection area | No charge |
| Scrap metal | Aluminum, brass, copper, iron, tin and steel; cans and foil excluded | No charge |
| Fluorescent bulbs / tubes | Up to 4 ft | $1.00 each |
| Long / U-shaped tubes | Over 4 ft or U-shaped | $1.10 each |
| Lighting ballast | Separate item | $2.50 each |
| Styrofoam food containers | Clean; township sheet lists colored food containers | No charge |
| Packing foam | White only | No charge |
| Packing peanuts | Township sheet lists any type | No charge |
| Yard waste | Brush, trees, clippings, leaves and grass | No charge for residents |
Do not use the center as a general trash or construction-debris site. The township’s bulk-waste listing specifically states that construction materials are not accepted.
Yard Waste Drop-Off Rules
The Clearwater Road site also serves as Derry Township’s yard-waste drop-off. The township’s yard-waste guidance lists tree branches, tree prunings, shrub trimmings, weeds, garden waste, grass clippings and leaves among accepted materials.
Brush and plant material
Township guidance says branches should be no longer than about six feet and no greater than about three feet in diameter. Dirt should be removed from plant roots before disposal.
Grass and leaves
Grass clippings and leaf waste go in the designated area identified by site signage rather than being mixed into the main brush pile.
Items specifically rejected from yard waste
- Plastic bags
- Metal
- Stumps
- Rocks
- Root balls
- Concrete
- Potted plants
- Dirt or sod
Residents: the township fee sheet lists qualifying yard waste at no charge.
Contractors: the published charge is $15 per truckload. Township yard-waste guidance says contractor material must originate within Derry Township and contractors should report to the main office or recycling center before disposal.
Electronics Are Not Accepted at the Clearwater Road Center
This is one of the most important corrections to the older version of this guide. Derry Township’s official recycling-center sheet states that the township does not accept electronics at this facility.
For televisions, computers, monitors and other eligible electronic devices, the township directs residents to Dauphin County Recycling. The county operates an Electronics Recycling Center at:
Dauphin County Recycling Center
1625 South Cameron Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
Main office: 717-982-6772
The county currently lists Monday through Friday hours of 8:30 AM–4:15 PM and states that the center is closed on holidays.
The Dauphin County center stopped accepting cash in February 2025. If your electronics or appliances carry a fee, review the county’s current payment rules before visiting.
Bulk Waste, Furniture and Appliance Charges
Derry Township does accept certain household bulky items at the recycling center, but these materials are not part of the basic free recycling stream.
| Item | Published charge | Important rule |
|---|---|---|
| Household bulk waste | $10 and up base price | No construction materials |
| Furniture, mattress or box spring | $10 per item | Verify large or unusual pieces first |
| Large items such as sectional sofas | $15 and up per item | Charge may vary by size |
| Washer, dryer, oven and similar appliance | $15 per item | Appliance must fit listed scrap-appliance category |
| Refrigerator, air conditioner or other Freon appliance | $25 per item | Refrigerant-containing appliances have a separate charge |
Curbside bulk pickup may be easier for some residents
Derry Township’s current Waste Management service information says residents on the Standard Service plan receive weekly collection of one bulk item. Fabric-covered items such as sofas, mattresses and box springs must be covered in plastic for curbside pickup.
For curbside refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers and air conditioners, the township instructs residents to contact Waste Management first because those items contain refrigerant.
Tire Recycling Fees
The township’s currently linked recycling-center fee sheet publishes separate charges based on tire size and whether a regular tire is mounted on a rim.
| Tire type | Listed fee |
|---|---|
| Regular tire up to 20-inch inner diameter | $3.50 per tire |
| Regular tire up to 20 inches on rim | $12.00 per tire |
| Oversized / off-road | $25.00 per tire |
| Heavy truck / tractor | $30.00 per tire |
The township fee sheet also contains a rim surcharge note for certain tires. If you are bringing oversized, commercial, off-road or rim-mounted tires, call the recycling line first so staff can confirm the exact current charge.
Wooden Pallets and Other Items That Need a Different Route
Derry Township’s current recycling page specifically reminds residents that wooden pallets are not accepted at the Recycling Center.
The township currently points residents toward JRM Pallet Mulch for pallets that are free of chemicals, paint, battery acid and oil. The contact number published by the township is 717-926-6892. Because that is a third-party destination, confirm acceptance before transporting a load.
Do not bring without verification
- Electronics
- Construction materials
- Wooden pallets
- Unknown liquids or chemicals
- Mixed contractor debris
- Items not shown on the township service sheet
Call before a special load
Use the Derry Recycle Line at 717-533-8665 when the load includes unusual batteries, multiple tires, large appliances, oversized furniture, contractor yard waste or anything that does not clearly match a published category.
Recycling Center vs Curbside Collection
The Clearwater Road facility is not a replacement for every part of Derry Township’s curbside program. The township says the center is intended for materials that are not accepted through ordinary curbside collection.
Use curbside service for routine collection
Waste Management handles the township’s residential trash and recyclable collection. Standard Service includes weekly recycling and monthly yard-waste collection from April through October.
Use Clearwater Road for eligible drop-off items
The center is useful for listed materials such as clean corrugated cardboard, selected paper, specific batteries, motor oil, antifreeze, bulbs, scrap metal, foam, tires, appliances, bulky household items and yard waste.
Do not confuse the township’s curbside holiday schedule with the Recycling Center’s gate hours. A delayed curbside collection day does not automatically mean the Clearwater Road site is open.
Before You Drive to 650 Clearwater Road
- Confirm the correct municipality. Your destination should be 650 Clearwater Road in Hershey, Dauphin County.
- Check the current township schedule. Seasonal hours change, and holiday or temporary closures can override the normal pattern.
- Confirm that your item is actually accepted. Electronics, construction materials and pallets need other routes.
- Separate the load at home. Keep cardboard, paper, scrap metal, fluids, tires, yard waste and bulky items separate so each can go to the proper collection area.
- Prepare cardboard correctly. Corrugated cardboard should be clean, dry and flattened.
- Keep motor oil and antifreeze separate. The township specifies these fluids only and says not to mix them.
- Prepare yard waste correctly. Remove dirt from roots and keep plastic bags, metal, rocks, stumps, root balls, concrete, potted plants, soil and sod out of yard-waste piles.
- Check fees before a large load. Tires, appliances, bulky household items and contractor yard waste can involve charges.
Map and Directions to Derry Township Recycling Center
Use the map below for navigation to 650 Clearwater Road, Hershey, PA 17033. The facility is in the Hershey-area Derry Township in Dauphin County.
Map check: if your navigation sends you toward Lewistown, Latrobe, Reserve Lane or another county, stop and recheck the destination. Pennsylvania has more than one Derry Township.
Official Sources and Related Recycling Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Derry Township Recycling Center?
The Hershey/Dauphin County facility is at 650 Clearwater Road, Hershey, PA 17033, off Hersheypark Drive.
What are the Derry Township Recycling Center hours in 2026?
For the period from March 9 through November 2, 2026, the township lists Monday and Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Friday and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday are closed.
Can anyone use the Derry Township Recycling Center?
The township’s recycling-center service sheet identifies the site as Township residents only. If you are unsure whether your address qualifies, call 717-533-8665 before visiting.
Does Derry Township Recycling Center accept electronics?
No. The township’s official recycling-center sheet states that electronics are not accepted. Derry Township directs residents to Dauphin County Recycling for electronic devices.
Is yard waste free at Derry Township Recycling Center?
The township currently lists qualifying yard waste as free for residents. Contractor yard waste is listed at $15 per truckload and must follow the township’s origin and reporting rules.
Does the center accept mattresses and furniture?
Yes, the township fee sheet lists furniture, mattresses and box springs as bulky household items. The published price for furniture including a mattress or box spring is $10 per item, while larger items such as sectional sofas start at $15 and up.
How much does tire recycling cost?
The township’s currently linked fee sheet lists regular tires up to 20 inches at $3.50 each, regular tires on rims at $12 each, oversized or off-road tires at $25 each, and heavy truck or tractor tires at $30 each. Confirm rim surcharges and current pricing before bringing specialty tires.
Can I bring appliances to the Derry Township Recycling Center?
The township lists washers, dryers, ovens and similar scrap appliances at $15 per item. Refrigerators, air conditioners and other Freon-containing appliances are listed at $25 per item.
Does Derry Township Recycling Center accept wooden pallets?
No. The township specifically states that wooden pallets are not accepted at the Clearwater Road center and currently directs residents to a separate pallet recycler for suitable untreated pallets.
Is this the Derry Township Recycling Center in Westmoreland or Mifflin County?
No. This guide covers the Derry Township facility in Hershey, Dauphin County. Derry Townships in Westmoreland and Mifflin counties have separate municipal recycling rules, addresses and contacts.
Source Verification
This page was refreshed using the current Derry Township Trash & Recycling page, the recycling-center services and fee sheet currently linked by the township, Derry Township yard-waste guidance and Dauphin County’s official Electronics Recycling Center information.
Because operating dates, fees, payment methods, holiday closures and accepted materials can change, use the township’s official page or call 717-533-8665 before transporting an unusual, oversized or fee-based load.