Solid Waste & Recycling Info for the City of Lancaster

Transcription

1 Solid Waste & Recycling Info for the City of Lancaster Dear Lancaster City Resident: Thanks to you for another year of increased recycling, which reduces the amount of waste we generate collectively. Resident efforts have allowed the City to keep the program cost of $210/ year the same for 9 consecutive years. Congratulations on a job well done! Other program successes are noteworthy, as well. The Recycling Drop Off Center located at 850 New Holland Avenue continues to attract residents and small businesses looking for a convenient place to drop off various types of paper. The Center, now completing its 5th year, averages over 1,900 deliveries and 30 tons per month. In 2017 the City distributed nearly 3, gallon recycling carts to residents that submitted applications. Feedback indicates that the carts are a valuable tool that will increase the quantity and quality of recyclable materials. We appreciate resident support which demonstrates commitment to all the City s recycling initiatives. In this newsletter, you will find the 2018 collection schedule for yard waste, leaves and Christmas trees. Also included is information about areas where we can improve. Please review the article Common Compliance Problems to learn if there are opportunities in your household to better comply and make the city cleaner and our program even more successful. Since this newsletter cannot possibly cover all the details of our program, the section entitled Recycling Resources can direct you to social media, as well as websites and videos that further explain how waste and recyclables are managed within the county. Finally, many residents are confused about how to recycle leaves each fall. The article about Leaf Management provides details about the two methods established to collect leaves and how to make this process more efficient and safe. As we begin another year, my hope is that each resident continues to recycle as much as possible while taking steps to improve the quality of our recyclables, which will help the City on its path to a more sustainable community. If you have any questions, please contact the Solid Waste Hotline at or swhotline@cityoflancasterpa.com. Mayor Danene Sorace uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu 64-Gallon Recycling Carts Update The City received a recycling grant from DEP to fund 3, gallon recycling carts. The purpose is to provide larger containers to increase recovery of recyclable materials, keep materials clean and dry and make storage and set out more convenient. There are a limited number of carts remaining for residents that apply. Contact the Solid Waste Hotline at to request a cart application. A key consideration for using a cart is whether adequate space is available to store the cart out of view from the street and sidewalk. A prime goal of the City trash collection program is to maintain attractive streetscapes by requiring the storage of all trash and recycling containers in rear/side yards except during collection days. Residents storing carts continuously on the sidewalk or the front of the property will be asked to return the carts and switch back to curbside containers. If a cart is not an option, the City offers a variety of container sizes to match each household s needs. Recycling Resources The City, County and Penn Waste offer a variety of ways to educate the public about waste and recycling collection programs. The following are sources of information: City of Lancaster Solid Waste Hotline: or swhotline@cityoflancasterpa.com Program information and reporting service issues or missed collections Must sign up with your address on Nextdoor to get updates from the City of Lancaster Collection Schedule: schedule Penn Waste Announcements and videos about recycling Sign up to receive updates via County Solid Waste Authority Information about Household Hazardous Waste program and management/disposal of waste and recyclable materials

2 Recyclable Material Quality Recyclable materials separated from trash and placed in your recycling container become a valuable raw material for manufacturing. Adding the wrong materials or improperly preparing recyclables detracts from the value and can cause rejection. State-wide, about 15% of materials collected at curbside are considered contaminants and must be removed and disposed of separately. This adds additional cost to the recycling process which unnecessarily increases costs to residents and businesses. This newsletter illustrates what items are designated for recycling. Please do not be a wish-cycler! Separate only the materials requested to make the recycling process work for industry, the environment and all of us! Recycling Drop-Off Center at 850 New Holland Avenue The City operates a free drop off for residents and small businesses to deliver recyclable paper that is separated by type. Accepted is: corrugated cardboard, office paper, magazines, newspaper, textbooks and chipboard/boxboard. The Recycling Drop-Off Center is open Monday Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and Saturday from 8:00 A.M. to Noon. The Center serves City residents that have excessive amounts of corrugated (from moving or new purchases) and/or desire to separate office paper (bills, records, mail, etc.). Many small businesses find the Center a convenient option for recycling paper, which can be a large component of a commercial waste stream. The Center accepts materials from residents from other municipalities. City residents may pick up new or exchange damaged/broken recycling containers, as well as pick up yard waste bags free of charge. Help for Small Businesses Small businesses/institutions interested in learning how to start, expand or make their collection programs more efficient can take advantage of the City s free technical assistance program to conduct waste audits/ assessments. The goal is to aid in developing a collection system to maximize recycling and minimize overall waste management program costs. Common Compliance Problems The City employs two (2) Solid Waste Education and Enforcement Program (SWEEP) officers to conduct routine inspections of properties and waste and recycling containers for compliance. Although the goal is education first, residents can be issued $25 Property Violation Notice (PVN) tickets for non-compliance. SWEEP officers share the most common problems and seek cooperation by residents to comply: 1 Improper Storage Waste and recycling containers must be stored to prevent littering and accumulation of waste. Heavy duty bags and/or rigid containers are needed to protect waste from the elements, rodents, birds and to contain odors. 2 Improper Set-Out Trash set out at the curb should be bagged, even if it is placed inside a can. The collection process can result in spillage and loose trash becomes litter. Please use bags designed for trash collection and securely tie them shut before set out at curbside. Remember Tied and Tidy keeps our city streets and sidewalks litter free. All trash and recycling containers (including recycling carts) must be kept out of public view except during collection times. Containers may be set out at curbside after 6:00 P.M. the night before scheduled collection and must be removed before 8:00 P.M. on the day of collection. 3 Electronics Televisions and computers can no longer be disposed as waste, but can be recycled for free at LCSWMA. See the separate article in the newsletter for details. Abandoning these at curbside invites scavengers who illegally remove valuable components which interferes with the requirement to recycle the entire item. 4 Improper Recycling Recyclables need to be clean and free of contamination. Failure to properly prepare materials results in added costs. Recyclables should not be bagged or separated by type. Single Stream recycling is a mixture of paper and containers. Plastic bags are never acceptable in the recycling bin. 5 Indoor Furniture on Porch Household furnishings which are stored outdoors are a fire hazard and attract vectors. Only use furniture designed specifically for exterior use outside the home. 6 Improper Yard Waste Disposal Yard waste recycling is mandatory. The City provides free bags and collection services for yard waste when set out at curbside per the collection calendar. Leaves must be bagged for collection. Only leaves that fall on sidewalks or the street may be placed in the street for bulk collection. 7 Property Maintenance All properties must be maintained free of accumulated waste and recyclables, including litter. Although used by the public, sidewalks are the responsibility of the property owner and must be kept clean and litter-free. Grass and weeds must also be kept at all times within a height of 6 inches. Tall grass and weeds can harbor litter. 8 Abandoned Appliances Large appliances like refrigerators and freezers are a safety hazard when left unattended. To prevent entrapment, doors should either be removed or securely taped shut and the items promptly removed for recycling. The city offers a monthly large appliance (white goods) collection service with an Extra Service Tag. Contact the Solid Waste Hotline for information at

3 Leaf Management The City is proud to be recognized as a Tree City. Trees provide many benefits to our community and are good for the environment. Please take the following steps to properly recycle your leaves: 1 Use the free yard waste bags available at: Recycling Drop Off Center New Holland Ave Treasury Office...39 W Chestnut St City Hall N Duke St Streets Bureau N Franklin St 2 Set out for collection on the schedule found in the calendar. 3 Leaves from sidewalks may be swept into the streets on the day prior to or the day of scheduled collection, but please keep storm water inlets clear to prevent clogging and flooding. Recycling is the Law Recycling is mandatory in the City for all residents; commercial, industrial and institutional establishments; and municipal facilities. Recyclables required for separation from waste include: paper, glass, aluminum, steel/ tin cans, plastics, yard waste/leaves, white goods and tires. The City s residential contract program collects many items together as Single Stream. City SWEEP Officers (Solid Waste Education and Enforcement Program) routinely inspect residential properties for compliance. 4 Leaves from yards may not be swept into the streets and must be bagged for collection. 5 Please do not place trash, litter, stones, soil or plastics in yard waste bags, since these interfere with the recycling process. uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu Inclement Weather Wintery weather conditions creating icy streets and plowable snow accumulations of 3-4 inches can challenge trash and recycling collection services. When ice and snow make streets and sidewalks treacherous and snow banks along the curb restrict travel lanes preventing access to containers, residents should expect delays or rescheduling. To minimize disruption of service and ensure the safety of collection crews, residents and personal property, please follow these recommendations: 1 If a plowable snow is expected overnight, whenever possible please set out trash after the snow stops or on the morning of collection. Snow covered trash is more difficult to find and collect. 2 Limit set outs and avoid setting out bulk items or extra bags that could be held until conditions improve. Commercial Recycling Services Permitted Haulers City regulations require that private waste and recycling haulers be registered as Permitted Collectors. Haulers properly registered will have current year stickers on all their collection vehicles. Permitted Collectors should also provide recycling collection services so that their customers can fully comply with recycling requirements. Permitted Collectors must meet the standards established by city, county and state regulatory agencies and maintain vehicles in compliance with motor vehicle standards. The city maintains a list of Permitted Collectors. 3 If you normally use a wheeled curb cart for trash, instead set out trash in plastic bags that are designed for trash collection and are properly secured to prevent spillage or littering. 4 If snow is piled between the sidewalk and street, make a cutout in the bank to set trash containers or place bags on top of the snow bank ensuring bags can t tumble onto the street or sidewalk. 5 If your recycling container is not full, consider holding it for the following week. If you must set it out on a snow bank, be certain that it will not slide onto the street or sidewalk or spill its contents. 6 If you are missed, contact the Solid Waste Hotline at and arrangements will be made for a missed pick-up or taking double the following week. 7 Recognize that the City and Penn Waste want to provide collection services each week, but understand that weather conditions out of our control may cause collection schedule changes. Sign up for current information at: Commercial Opt In Program The city residential contract program offers collection services to small businesses and institutions that generate quantities of waste and types of recyclables similar to a household. Many small businesses, multifamily residential properties (5 or more units), and mixed-use properties that need only once per week collection are served by the city program and invoiced at the same annual fee as residential customers. For additional information about services and options, please contact the Solid Waste Hotline at YEARS SERVICE HHH 1000 TONS

4 ntan 2018 Lancaster City Trash & Recycling Collection Calendar January February March April S M T W T F S May June July August September October November December = Christmas Tree Collection = White Good Collection = Yard Waste Collection = Leaf Collection (must be bagged) Observed holidays are noted in RED. Collection days that fall on or after the holiday will be delayed one day. EXCEPTION: If holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no change in service prior to or after the holiday. BASIC RESIDENTIAL GUIDELINES Trash and Recycling must be placed at curbside by 5:00 AM on scheduled collection day. Trash must be secured in a can or bag to prevent spillage and littering. Each trash container or bag must not exceed 32 gallons or 30 pounds, with a limit of 6 per week. One oversized item may be substituted for two trash containers. A 96 Gallon Curb Cart equals three trash containers. Yard Waste bags and bundles must not exceed 30 pounds or 4 feet in length. Yard Waste, Leaves and Christmas trees will be collected on trash day according to the calendar schedule. White Good/Large Appliance collection will occur the 3rd Friday of each month (See Calendar). Penn Waste leases 96 Gallon Trash Curb Carts for $6 per month billed separately on a quarterly basis. For information, sign up for E-News Updates at or call Creating a green community together. Penn Waste Inc. PO Box 3066 York, PA 17402

5 Special Waste Disposal and Recycling Options Electronics: Televisions and Computers The state enacted legislation effective January 2013 that prohibits televisions and computers/peripherals (covered devices) from being disposed as waste. This requirement was established in order to recycle these valuable items. The law also put into place a network of retailers and public collection facilities that will accept these from residents at no charge. Covered devices need to be fully intact to be recycled. Check with retailers where you purchase new electronics if they will take back your unwanted device. The Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA) Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility located at 1299 Harrisburg Pike accepts for free covered devices along with other HHW from county residents. Visit for details. Liquid Grease/Oil from Home Fryers Disposing liquids such as grease and vegetable oil in the trash can create a mess during collection since the solid waste system is not designed for this material. Similarly, this material should never be poured down the drain into the sewer system where it can clog pipes. Liquid oils and grease from cooking is recyclable. The Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA) accepts this material at no charge at their HHW facility located at 1299 Harrisburg Pike. Visit for details. Textiles Clean, unwanted and unusable textiles, such as clothing, bedding, towels, shoes and accessories can have another life. There are many local non-profit organizations that accept and need textiles for reuse or resale to support their programs. Even clothing that is stained, torn or unwearable can be remanufactured into other products. Look for locations to recycle clean textiles at Shredded paper Office paper is not collected at curbside because many residents shred mail and other documents due to concern about identity theft. Shredded paper emptied out of recycling containers can become litter and is problematic at recycling facilities. Residents are encouraged to recycle office paper, whether shredded or flat sheet, by taking it to the City Drop-off Recycling Center located at 850 New Holland Avenue. White Goods These are large appliances including: refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, water coolers, clothes washers and dryers, water heaters, and microwaves. These will not be collected with weekly trash. The city offers a monthly collection program (see Calendar) for these items with a $15 tag purchased from the Treasury Office, 39 West Chestnut Street ( ). The city will ensure that the refrigerant gases are recovered in compliance with federal air quality regulations. Oversized Refuse The weekly collection program allows each residential unit to set out one (1) oversized item each week, which then limits the set out to four (4) trash containers for that week. Oversized items include: sofas, stuffed chairs, furniture, mattress and box spring sets, or a roll of carpet no longer than 4 foot wide. An oversized item can be no heavier than what two men can lift and load into a trash truck. If in doubt, contact the Solid Waste Hotline. Yard Waste and Leaves Residents are required to separate yard waste and leaves from their trash and the city provides seasonal collection. To make it easy, the city makes available 30-gallon paper bags to residents at no charge and provides free collection of these materials on a special collection schedule. See the Calendar for specifics dates. Yard waste and leaves will be collected on the same day that trash is collected. Yard waste that cannot be bagged, like branches and shrubbery prunings, may be bundled with twine and set out for collection with yard waste bags from April to October each year. Bundles should be no more than four (4) feet long and weigh no more than 30 pounds. Special collections for leaves and other non-woody vegetation like plant and garden residue is collected in November and December each year as noted on the Calendar. Yard waste and leaves are recycled into mulch and compost, so please do not place rocks, soil, sod or trash in yard waste bags. Although yard waste may be disposed as trash between mid-december and March, it will not be accepted if set out in yard waste bags. Contact the Solid Waste Hotline for year round locations to take yard waste for recycling.

6 Penn Waste accepts unlimited amounts of recycling! Acceptable Items METAL: Aluminum beverage cans Steel food & beverage cans, aerosol cans, empty paint cans GLASS: Clear, brown, blue, and green glass food & beverage containers PLASTIC: #1 through #7 All materials must be thoroughly cleaned before placing them in your recycle container. Discard caps/lids Rinse thoroughly to remove all contaminants It is OK to leave on labels and neck rings PAPER, PAPERBOARD & CARDBOARD: Recycle Any Size. Any Quantity. Please break down boxes as flat as possible and put them out next to your recycle bin(s) on your pick-up day. All sizes of cardboard boxes Clean pizza boxes Food boxes (i.e. cereal & gelatin boxes) EMPTY paper towel and toilet paper rolls Paperboard packaging (i.e. tissue boxes) Office paper (any color) Newspapers and inserts Magazines, catalogs, and brochures Envelopes & junk mail Paper bags Phone books & other soft cover books Paperboard food and drink cartons Discard all packaging (Styrofoam, peanuts, plastic bubble wrap, plastic liners, etc.) Flatten ALL boxes Bundle all cardboard that does not fit into the recycling bin Cover loose paper with heavier items to prevent it from blowing away REV 2/2016

7 CALLING ALL CARTONS Penn Waste Now Accepts Cartons! Cartons are defined as a type of packaging that food and beverage products come in that you can purchase at the store. Shelf-stable Examples Juice Milk Soy Milk Soup and Broth Wine Refrigerated Examples Milk Juice Cream Egg Substitutes Be sure to discard all caps and straws. Empty and rinse. Cartons may be placed in your bin along with all other recyclables. Follow these 3 simple steps to ensure your items are ready to be recycled: 1Remove caps or lids and dispose of them in the trash. 2Rinse thoroughly to ensure all recyclables are clean and free of contaminants. 3You may leave on the rings and labels.

8 Don t let old electronics pile up... Learn how to dispose of them responsibly Resources for Safe Disposal of Electronics LANCASTER Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority Visit for additional electronics recycling resources. The Covered Devices Recycling Act prohibits residents and businesses from placing electronic waste at the curb or in their trash. By law, as of January 24, 2013, Penn Waste is no longer allowed to collect electronic waste. Covered devices include: desktop computers, laptops, monitors, computer peripherals (keyboard, mouse, printer, and speakers), televisions, or e-readers that browse the internet. Because electronic waste can contain hazardous materials that are harmful to human health and the environment, it is very important that these devices are disposed of properly. Use the resources in the right column to learn more information about how to safely recycle your outdated electronic equipment. Thank You! Covered devices are prohibited from being set out for collection as waste. Scavenging covered devices for the purpose of only removing saleable components and disposing of remaining parts as waste is also prohibited. To be legally recycled, covered devices must be delivered intact to a statepermitted collection facility or recycler that recovers all the components. Violators are subject to a $25 property violation notice (PVN) ticket. HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE (HHW) Many everyday items we dispose of are considered hazardous and can harm our health and the environment. The Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA) accepts HHW at no charge at their facility located at 1299 Harrisburg Pike. In addition to electronics like televisions and computers, the facility accepts batteries, cellular phones, fluorescent bulbs, paints and various other unwanted or unusable liquid and solid products/chemicals. For a complete list of what is accepted and operating hours, please visit or call (717) Do your part to keep our environment healthy by keeping all household hazardous waste out of the trash and properly disposing of it at LCSWMA. REV 12/2016

9 Unacceptable Recycling Items Please do not include the following items in your recycling! Needles & Medical Waste DO NOT place used needles or any other medical waste with recycling! This is a serious health hazard to everyone! Broken glass Windows, mirrors, ceramics Drinking glasses Aluminum foil Scrap metal Clothing hangers (metal and plastic) Plastic tableware (knives, forks, spoons, etc.) Plastic grocery bags Light bulbs Food soiled material Wet papers or cardboard Plastic food wrappers Shredded paper Used paper towels or tissues Styrofoam Pool chemicals Packing peanuts Plastic bubble wrap Hose Christmas lights Diapers Food waste Propane tanks Please do not include electronics with your recycling. For information on how to recycle outdated electronics, see inside. REV 10/2015

10 PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID HARRISBURG, PA PERMIT NO. 693 Bureau of Solid Waste & Recycling City of Lancaster 120 North Duke Street P. O. Box 1599 Lancaster, PA INSIDE: Important information on trash & recycling in the City of Lancaster including a calendar. Save for handy reference! SOLID WASTE HOTLINE: swhotline@cityoflancasterpa.com uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu RECYCLING DROP-OFF CENTER 850 NEW HOLLAND AVENUE Open to Small Businesses and Residents To enable small businesses to comply with recycling requirements, reduce waste, and minimize costs; the city operates a free Drop-Off Center at 850 New Holland Avenue. Various paper types are accepted including: corrugated cardboard, chipboard (light weight cardboard), office paper, newspaper, magazines, telephone directories and hard/soft cover books. Recyclables are accepted from residents and businesses from both within and outside the City. Paper must be separated by type. The Drop- Off center is open Monday Friday 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. until Noon. The Drop-Off also accepts single stream recyclables which includes: plastic containers; glass bottles and jars; aluminum and steel cans; and paperboard cartons. For more information, contact the Solid Waste Hotline. The Drop-Off Center also accepts broken recycling containers, provides replacement recycling containers, and distributes yard waste bags. Service is convenient, fast and friendly. Recycling Is The Law in Lancaster City! Recycling is mandatory for all residential, commercial, municipal, and institutional establishments, and all community events. All commercial, industrial and institutional establishments must separate the following materials: High grade office paper Steel and Aluminum cans Corrugated cardboard Newspaper Plastic bottles and containers Yard Waste Clear, green & brown glass bottles & jars Tires and White Goods The city offers technical assistance to businesses to establish or improve recycling programs in order to comply with requirements and be cost-effective and sustainable. Contact the city Solid Waste Hotline for information. INCLEMENT WEATHER Winter weather events with snow and ice can disrupt collection when street access or worker and public safety is a concern. When weather prevents trucks from operating, collection will shift to the Holiday Schedule, which means the collection schedule for the remainder of the week will be delayed one day. For weather events that disrupt more than a day, collection may be cancelled for some routes and residents will be allowed to set out double the following week. Since weather events are unpredictable, specific information about any collection changes will be posted on the city Solid Waste Hotline, the city website and Facebook page, and local television and radio. RECYCLING CONTAINERS The city will replace lost, stolen or missing recycling containers at no charge. Various size containers are available to meet the needs of each household. Containers can be picked up at: City Hall (120 N. Duke St.), Treasury Office (39 W. Chestnut St.), Streets Bureau (515 N. Franklin St.), or the Recycling Drop-Off Center (850 New Holland Ave.). Recycling containers are recyclable, too. If you want to replace your unusable, broken bin and have it recycled, please exchange it at the Drop-Off Center. LANC 12/2017