Borough Institutes Annual Trash Fee

One month after seeing the results of a comprehensive review and analysis of the current Borough trash and recycling program, Borough Council voted unanimously in favor of three changes to the program to encourage compliance and plug the $119,000 budget gap. 

At the February 8^th Borough Council meeting, elected officials and staff hosted an informational meeting for the public to review the history of the program, the current issues, and to review various options for future funding.  Dozens of residents were in attendance at the meeting where many comments and suggestions were received.  The staff took the overall sentiment of that meeting to develop a resolution to amend the trash and recycling program.  That resolution was passed at the March 15^th Council meeting, with new policies going into effect on June 1, 2010. 

An annual flat fee of $35.00 will be established to offset the costs of trash collection, bulky waste collection, and recycling.  The fee will be levied on residential properties*, based on the number of electric meters on the property.  With an estimated 10% of households currently not participating in the “Pay-As-You-Throw” program but taking advantage of the free collection of bulky waste and recycling, the institution of an annual fee will help spread the cost of collecting all material to every household.  All residents will now be investing in the system. 

The bill for the $35 annual fee was mailed to all households in June of 2010 as a separate mailing. 

After June 1^st, the Borough will continue to pick up bulky waste at no extra charge in accordance with the current rules and regulations, except that bulky waste will not be picked up from any household unless at least one bag of trash, contained in a Borough trash bag, accompanies the bulky waste. 

The rules for the collection of yard waste were also changed with the vote.  Beginning June 1^st, all yard waste will no longer be collected for free in a non-Borough bag.  Yard waste is defined as leaves, garden residues, shrubbery and tree trimmings, and similar material but not including grass clippings.  The policy on the collection of grass clippings will remain the same- they must be bagged in Borough trash bags and placed out with household refuse. 

As an alternative, beginning in June the Borough will provide free disposal of all yard waste (not including grass clippings) at the Borough’s recycling center on the first Saturday of each month.  Residents must bring their driver's license and a copy of their Borough electric bill with a matching address.  Residents may take yard waste generated at their house to the recycling center at that time.  All yard waste deposited at the Center must be loose or in biodegradable paper bags.  All yard waste delivered to the site in plastic bags must be emptied from the bag.  (Grass clippings will not be permitted for drop off at the Recycling Center - most compost facilities do not accept this material because of the way it decomposes.)

All material dropped off at the Borough’s Recycling Center will be taken to a Department of Environmental Protection authorized composting facility to be composted and reused.     

The Borough will continue to collect bundled branches curbside once a month. 

The ordinance passed at the Monday, April 19^th Council meeting.  For more information, please contact the Borough at (215)257-5065.

*At the August 16^th Borough Council meeting, Council approved Ordinance #944 - an amendment to exempt certain rental units from the trash and recycling fee. Resolution 2010-17, has authorized all refunds granted under Ordinance #944 to be paid back to the customer as a credit on their electric bill, as long as they continue to remain a customer.  Otherwise they will be issued a refund check. 

Links

Household Hazardous Waste

Trash Rules & Regulations

Trash Ordinance