The Daily Item, Sunbury, PA

Danville Region

Discussion

March 14, 2013

Additional recycling collections will add to costs

By Karen Blackledge The Danville News

DANVILLE — While landlord Matteo LoDuca wants the borough to have recyclables picked up more than once a month, that would add to the borough’s costs, according to the recycling operator.

The program costs the borough $26,000 a year, said Wes Wertman of Jaws Recycling in Danville. Each household is assessed $15 for the program.

LoDuca, who owns properties at 201, 203, 205 and 207 Chamber St., said he doesn’t want garbage accumulating on his properties.

He said tenants put out recyclables recently, but only aluminum cans were picked up.

A spokeswoman for Jaws said later that if items aren’t separated, they won’t be collected.

LoDuca said towns in the area pick up recycling twice a month, but Wertman said he wasn’t aware of any that do.

“Pick up the way it’s supposed to be. If you don’t do that, take me to court,” LoDuca told borough council members Tuesday night.

“I don’t mind paying if you pick up every week. When you do that, I’ll pay you,” he said.

A letter he received from borough secretary Tom Graham stated a lien would be placed on his properties, as of March 11, for nonpayment of the recycling fee. He owes $430 from as far back as eight years.

Council member Betty Ann Moyer said people can take recyclables to Jaws from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. Jaws, on Railroad Street, is also open to drop off items from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays.

Wertman, who has been in business since 1991, said Danville had enough population — 5,000 — and then was required to have a recycling program. Today, the population is lower, he said. A recycling program helps Danville by allowing it to obtain grants for composting, equipment and trucks, he said.

“We have very few complaints. We notify people if they are mixing products like plastic,” he said.

LoDuca claimed the borough was operating a recycling program illegally because it doesn’t have to have a recycling program.

Council vice president Bill Rogers said the borough isn’t required by law to have the program but the council has elected to have recyclables collected.

Borough solicitor Michael Dennehy said many communities under the population limit have chosen to collect recyclables to help decrease the volume going to the Lycoming County Landfill and it fits with the multi-county solid waste plan.

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