Pay as you throw trash pickups might be on way out

WEST WHITELAND » What is the best way to get rid of all that stuff you have no need for and don’t want anymore?

The township is considering no longer charging for trash collection by the bag, or pay as you throw.

Supervisor Brian Dunn, said at the April 27 meeting, that by ending the current practice residents might save time, effort and money on trash disposal.

West Whiteland residents now pay $2.50 for each 33-gallon bag and can stuff as much as will fit into each bag. The township is considering residents’ use of either privately purchased bags.

Dunn argued that if a resident runs out of bags the day before trash day, they either have to immediately run to a store and purchase bags or wait another week to dispose of their trash.

He also said that the current system is bad for Mother Nature.

“We have to stop stuffing trash bags inside trash bags and having all of this plastic in the environment,” Dunn said.

The township will distribute a survey to gauge the opinion of residents. Hauler AJ Blosenski of Honey Brook now services the township.

Supervisor Theresa Santalucia noted that in neighboring townships many residents don’t promptly remove those “heavy” trash cans from their front yards in a timely manner, while she compared the containers to “lawn ornaments.”

Board of Supervisors Chair Rajesh Kumbhardare said that the issue is a “hot button item.” He has surveyed 150 neighbors in a chat room and all preferred pay as you throw rather than a flat rate. Kumbhardare said that he would pay at least $100 per year more for flat rate collection.

Interim Township Manager Pam Gural-Bear said that the township holds a year’s supply of bags. She also said there is the possibility that the cost would increase over the current 10 cent township cost per bag.

With a refuse pickup contract that ends at the end of 2025, Santalucia noted that the cost of bags and a conventional hauler might both increase.

There are approximately 5,000 homes in the township. Each home is charged $89 for trash recycling and pickup per year to offset township expenses. Under Dunn’s new proposal, most residents would be charged about $219 for annual trash removal.

The $89 fee generates $445,000 annually and the township collects another $565,000 from the sale of bags, for a total of $1,010,000.

Dunn’s plan calls for retired residents collecting social security benefits, and living in about 1,700 township homes, to realize an annual $50 cut in fees, at a township cost of $85,000.

Dunn said that the savings for those using from two to four bags/week would range from $130 to $390. He also said that a business selling bags would save time and effort and no errors would be made.

Households using four bags per week pay $609 under the current pay as you throw system, $479 for three bags, $349 for two and $219 for one bag per week. Those throwing one bag per month now pay $119 per year.

If a household uses one bag per week, it’s the same price as Dunn’s proposal for a flat fee of $219 per year, and seniors get a $50 rebate.

“If you are able to save the majority of the residents in the township money, you know you are doing the right job,” Dunn said.