Borough May Prod Businesses to Recycle

In Hellertown, residential recycling is picked up curbside by a borough-contracted hauler.

Borough businesses are also required to recycle plastics, metal, glass, paper and cardboard, but are allowed to choose their own haulers, and many are failing to do so, Borough Manager Cathy Kichline told Hellertown Borough Council Aug. 6.

"What we’re finding is that there are a number of commercial establishments that are not (recycling)," Kichline said.

Since the borough's residential recycling contract with J.P. Mascaro expires this year, Kichline asked council to consider including a request for bids for commercial recycling pick-up in Hellertown along with the specs it will advertise to haulers later this year.

"I would say let’s look into it," council vice president John Bate said. "It’s not going to hurt to find out."

Kichline said that if commercial and residential recycling are bundled together under one contract, the rates paid by some businesses could increase.

More information about recycling in Hellertown is available on the borough's Trash & Recycling page.