The City of Allentown will receive $250,000 in a Recycling Program Development and Implementation Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP).  The funding will be used for a yard waste trommel screener and the purchase of a paper shredding system.

In the yard waste recycling process, wastes, such as branches, trimmings and shrubs, are shredded by the city’s yard waste tub grinder.  After the materials are ground, the trommel screener is used to separate the large woodchips (mulch) from the finer materials.  With a large 5 cubic yard hopper, the trommel screener is capable of producing up to 150 cubic yards per hour of screened yard waste material.

Both the mulch and finer screened materials are available to Allentown residents. Mulch is available free to Allentown residents and is also used in Allentown parks, flower beds and gardens.  Mulch loading services are also available for a pre-paid fee of $12 per bucket load.  Landscapers and others interested in obtaining large quantities of mulch should contact the bureau.  Please note, however, that landscapers are not permitted to drop off material at the city site.

“We are very pleased to be able to improve the services and programs we provide to our residents and businesses as a result of these PA DEP grants,” said Manager of the Bureau of Recycling and Solid Waste, Ann Saurman.  “The trommel screener allows us to make various grades of mulch and soon we will be able to add on-site paper shredding services for residents and businesses.”

Allentown’s yard waste site is located at 1401 Oxford Drive.  Visit www.allentownpa.gov for hours of operation and mulch loading services.  Allentown conducts curbside yard waste collection from April through Thanksgiving week.

The state has awarded $16.3 million to 120 municipalities in the latest round of grant applications which were submitted last August.  Allentown is receiving the maximum amount under this grant round.

The city’s recycling program has won awards from the Pennsylvania DEP, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Recycling Coalition, the Solid Waste Association of North America, the Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania,

Keystone Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America and the Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association.

For more information on recycling programs in the city, call the Bureau of Recycling and Solid Waste at 610-437-8729, or visit the bureau website at www.allentownrecycles.org.

 

Press Release Provided by:
Mike Moore
Communications Manager
Mayor’s Office
435 Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101
Mike.Moore@allentownpa.gov

http://www.AllentownPA.gov