The City of Allentown will receive more than $315,000 in a Recycling Program Performance Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.  The grant reflects the more than 18,125 tons of residential and commercial materials recycled by city residents and businesses in 2018.

 

Performance grants from the state are based on the type and weight of materials recycled from residential, commercial and drop-off recycling programs.

 

“The residents of Allentown and our business community have been enthusiastic participants in the recycling program,” said Mayor Ray O’Connell.

 

Pennsylvania Act 101 mandates curbside recycling in the state’s larger municipalities (population over 10,000) and offers grants to be applied toward recycling program sustainability and enhancements.

 

“We are able to provide quality services and programs to our residents and businesses as a result of these grants,” said Ann Saurman, Manager of the Bureau of Recycling and Solid Waste.  “This particular grant is based 100% on performance.  I am very grateful to all our residents, businesses and schools for their outstanding participation.”

 

Allentown offers curbside recycling of newspaper, cardboard, paperboard, magazines, catalogs, mail, phone books and all types of white and colored paper; plastic bottles, jars, tubs and containers marked with numbers #1 through #7; glass bottles and jars (clear, brown and green); aluminum cans, foil and pie plates; and steel cans, all of which count towards the Performance Grant.

 

Additionally, the city collects yard waste, appliances and large metal items and holds “by appointment” collection events for TVs and electronics for Allentown residents.

 

The city’s recycling programs reach all 36,675 households and approximately 500 businesses that participate in a once a week city curbside collection program.

 

City residents are able to recycle their clothing and electronics from their doorstep through a one-year pilot program with retrievr, the first software service designed to make curbside recycling of these items as simple as a text message, to schedule an appointment.  While this service is free for most items, there are fees to collect TVs and CRT computer monitors.  Visit retrievr.com or text PICKUP to 757-70-FETCH (757-703-3824) to schedule your pickup date.

 

The goals of the Act are to reduce Pennsylvania’s municipal waste generation; recycle at least 35% of waste generated; procure and use recycled and recyclable materials in state governmental agencies; and educate the public as to the benefits of recycling and waste reduction.  Recycling is a billion dollar industry in Pennsylvania, generating significant economic and environmental benefits.

 

For more information on recycling programs in the city, call the Bureau of Recycling and Solid Waste at 610-437-8729, or visit www.allentownpa.gov/recycle.

 

 
Information provided to TVL by:
Mike Moore
Communications Manager
Mayor’s Office
435 Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101
Mike.Moore@allentownpa.gov
http://www.AllentownPA.gov
 
 

 

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