City works to explain new recycling rules
City representatives, holding true to the motto of “Better Recycling, Better Burgh,” met Wednesday to discuss how to spread the word about new rules, some of which can pose problems or concerns to businesses, landlords and residents.
Recycling is mandatory in Pittsburgh, and the rules, revamped in April and set to begin in July, require all residents and the roughly 4,500 businesses within city limits to recycle paper, cardboard, plastics, metal, glass and leaf waste. Also, all businesses must hire a private hauler.
Both residents and businesses are required to place recycling in “durable” containers with lids or clearly marked dumpsters, and landlords must now provide waste and recycling information to tenants.
The city still picks up curbside recyclables, and currently operates six recycling drop-off sites available to residents and small
businesses that only generate one bag of recycling per week. Larger commercial entities are on their own.
“Each commercial establishment in Pittsburgh must show proof of recycling,” Teresa Bradley, the city’s recycling supervisor, told about 10 business owners who attended a morning meeting at Construction Junction in Point Breeze.
Under city code, businesses are expected to maintain and submit tonnage records to the city.
The Bureau of Environmental Services has begun mailing informational postcards detailing the new rules to business owners.
Businesses found violating the rules could face a penalty ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.
Fines for residents start at $50 for first-time offenders in single-family homes or apartment buildings with five or fewer units. They can reach a maximum of $500 for subsequent violations.
“My goal in all of this is not to give you citations,” Ms. Bradley said. “We just want to make sure you get into compliance.”
However, some business owners voiced concerns over the fact that many private haulers no longer collect glass — a problem largely stemming from changes China forced on the global secondary market.
Linnaea Bongiorni, property manager for Heinz Lofts, said glass collection is not included in her private recycling contract and that she’ll have to “encourage residents to recycle it individually at locations that are available.”
Ms. Bradley said the city is “researching where glass outlets are” and instructed business owners like Ms. Bongiorni to seek other resources, including community pop-up glass recycling events hosted by the Pennsylvania Resources Council.
Other meeting attendees expressed frustration with the city’s public education efforts after Ms. Bradley clicked through presentation slides of “no-no” nonrecyclable items — including coffee cups, plastic straws and take-out containers.
“Most people have no idea,” said Spencer Umstead, a leasing agent for the Oakland-based Delta Property Management. “You can’t fine people for something they don’t know about.”
City representatives said that education would ramp up in the coming months.
“This is a small group in an isolated room in the East End. We need to be doing a better job,” said Alicia Carberry, operations assistant in the mayor’s office.
Officials continued to spread information for a panel for private residents Wednesday evening at Construction Junction. Residents expressed concerns regarding the recycling process and regulations.
Hannah Sahud, of Squirrel Hill, asked for an explanation of what happens if part of what is placed in the recycling is contaminated
by something that is nonrecyclable.
“Is your entire load not used?” she asked.
Part of the load may still be used, she was told, but this leads to more work for recycling center staff. Ms. Bradley suggested simple steps like throwing away caps and lids and putting recyclable materials loosely in a blue bin. Although blue plastic bags are allowed, they are discouraged because they get stuck in the machinery.
Clamshell takeout containers and other flimsy plastics cannot be recycled in the centers, Ms. Bradley said. To reduce waste and use of these containers, Rebecca Kiernan, the city’s principal resilience planner, said residents can advocate for corporations to put their products in different packaging.
“We can make it known to these producers that we don’t want their products being put into plastic,” she said.
The city will host two more workshops on June 12.
“My goal in all of
this is not to give you citations. We just want to make sure you get into compliance.” — Teresa Bradley, the city’s recycling supervisor