Curbside recycling returns in Summit Township. Here's what residents need to know.
Curbside recycling is returning in Summit Township, but this time residents will pay for it.
The township has been without curbside pickup for almost two years, since Raccoon Refuse went out of business in August 2022. The former Mill Village-based company had been contracted by the township to provide recycling service for residents.
How the new program will work
Summit residents arrange and pay for trash collection. An ordinance passed by township supervisors on March 4 requires residents to arrange and pay for recycling service as well. The new curbside service will be provided by residents' trash hauler at an additional monthly charge.
"We didn't want one company monopolizing the service," township recycling coordinator Michelle Nesselhauf said.
Haulers will accept newsprint, cardboard, office paper, paperboard boxes, plastic containers, aluminum drink cans and metal food cans left at the curb in 65-gallon "toters" provided by the township. The township bought about 3,000 of the wheeled containers with $225,000 in state grant funding. The toters are being delivered to homes in the township this week.
Haulers will contact customers with information on recycling cost and pickup day. Major haulers currently picking up trash in the township are Pro Waste Services Inc., B.W. Stroup Disposal and Waste Management.
Cost will begin at about $10 monthly. Quarterly rates may also be available, according to information provided to the township.
Apartment complexes and mobile home parks will provide dumpsters for recycling.
When recycling collection will begin depends on the hauler. Most are expected to begin collections this spring.
Why require recycling?
Summit Township is mandated by state law to implement a curbside recycling program.
The Pennsylvania Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act of 1988 applies to municipalities with a population of more than 5,000 but less than 10,000 residents. Summit Township's population, according to the 2020 dicennial census, is 7,342.
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Most drop-off service will end
The township has provided a number of dumpsters for drop-off recycling at the township garage since Raccoon Refuse service ended.
The service has been heavily used, Nesselhauf said. Waste Management collects the recyclables three times weekly.
The drop-off service will continue until June 1. The township will continue to accept recyclable glass only.
Postcards outlining the new curbside recycling program were mailed to residents. Information also is posted on the township website.
Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@timesnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Curbside recycling collection returns in Summit Township
