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Trash & Recycling

J.P. Mascaro Telephone Number 1 (800) 432-1616

Upper Southampton Township
Trash, Recycling & Yard Waste Regulations
Effective May 1, 2012

 

TRASH

  • Residential trash is collected on Fridays.
  • Normal residential trash must be placed in a suitable container with a tight fitting lid and handles, is watertight and animal proof, and is able to be carried easily by the collector. Containers shall not be less than 20 gallons or more than 35 gallons in capacity, and weigh less than 50 pounds when full.
  • A maximum of 12 containers of trash will be collected each collection day.
  • Latex (water-based) paint may be placed in the trash for regular collection. Please allow the unused paint to harden to prevent it from spilling onto the street during collection.
  • Federal regulations require the removal of refrigerants from refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers prior to disposal. All items containing refrigerants will be collected by appointment only, separate from regular trash collection. Please contact J.P. Mascaro & Son at (800) 432-1616 to schedule pickup. Completely remove refrigerator and freezer doors to prevent small children from becoming trapped inside. Doors are collected on Fridays with regular trash.
  • All other bulk items, such as furniture, appliances, and carpet are collected on Fridays along with the regular trash. Carpets must be cut to lengths of three (3) feet or less and tied in manageable bundles. Bulk items are limited to one item per week, except carpet, which is limited to 10 bundles per week.
  • Trash may not be placed at the curb for collection before 6:00 p.m. on the evening proceeding a collection day. Empty containers must be removed from the curb by 10:00 p.m. of the day of the collection. All collections may occur as early as 6:00 a.m., so residents are advised to plan accordingly.  Do not put trash in front of a mailbox.
  • Collection will not occur on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.  Collection will occur on the Saturday following the holiday.  If the holiday falls on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, collection will occur the following Saturday.
  • The hauler is not responsible for the removal of building materials, automobiles, automobile parts, tree stumps, demolition materials, concrete, dirt, tires, and household hazardous wastes (such as oil-based paints and solvents, pool chemicals, pesticides, etc.). Each resident is responsible for the proper disposal of these items.
  • For questions or problems, call the Township at 215-322-9700, ext. 125.

RECYCLABLE MATERIALS

New Recycle Bin

  • Recyclable materials are collected on Fridays.
  • Recyclable materials include newspapers and magazines, glass bottles and jars (all colors), food and beverage cans (aluminum, steel and bimetal), plastic bottles and jars (numbered 1 - 7 on bottom of container), cardboard, pressed paperboard (cereal boxes, pizza boxes, shoe boxes , etc), junk mail, office paper, computer paper, shredded paper.
  • All recyclable materials are to be placed together in the green recycling cart provided by the Township.  You may use additional containers, if necessary, for recycling.  If you use another container that is not identified for recycling, please place a recycling sticker (available free of charge from the Township) on the container.  There is no limit on the amount of recyclable materials collected.
  • Collection will not occur on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.  Collection will occur on the Saturday following the holiday.  If the holiday falls on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, collection will occur the following Saturday.
  • Please keep the recyclable materials and trash three feet apart at the curb or street line and do not place in front of mailboxes.

UNACCEPTABLE RECYCLING MATERIALS:  It is very important that your recycling does not include unacceptable recycling materials.  Below is a list of items that must NOT go into the recycling cart:

  • Wax-coated paper or cardboard, such as milk and drink cartons
  • Plastic bags or materials in plastic bags
  • Batteries
  • Styrofoam
  • Light bulbs
  • Mirrors, window or auto glass, porcelain, ceramics, glass cookware and bake ware, microwave oven trays, drinking glasses, perfume/cologne bottles.
  • Wood and yard waste
  • Unnumbered plastics
  • Coat hangers and wire
  • Household items such as toasters, electronics, appliances, etc.
  • Hazardous or toxic substances,  Items containing or having debris and residue containing hazardous or toxic substances such as paint cans with wet paint, motor oil containers, gasoline cans, glue, and petroleum products.
  • Aerosol cans.
  • Diapers
  • Scrap Metal
  • Books or Toys
  • Wax Cartons
  • Liquids

YARD WASTE

  • Yard waste is collected on Mondays during the yard waste collection program, which runs from April 1 to December 15 and the third Monday in January.  There is no limit on the amount of yard waste collected.  Yard Waste is no longer collected as part of regular trash collection.  If Monday is a holiday,  then collection will occur on Tuesday.
  • Yard waste, which includes grass clippings, leaves, plants, twigs and tree branches, may be placed in 30 gallon biodegradable paper bags or in regular trash cans.  Residents may not use cardboard boxes or plastic bags, as these will not be accepted at the compost facility.

 

Commercial Recycling

Who Must Recycle?

Commercial, industrial and institutional establishments, such as retail stores, restaurants, offices, schools, nursing and assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, warehouses, hospitals and churches are required to create and operate reycling programs.

What Must be Recycled?

The law requires the following items be recycled by Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Entities:

  • Corrugated paper
  • Newsprint
  • Aluminum
  • Leaf waste including leaves, shrubbery, branches and similar vegetative materials.

Materials should be stored seperately until picked up. Businesses are required to handle and arrange their own waste and recycling collection.

Why Recycle?

State law mandates businesses to recycle. This law has been in effect since 1988. There are also economic and environmental resons. Why send something to a landfill if it can be reused? Recycling saves money and resources. Reducing trash lowers disposal costs. There are companies that purchase recyclable material which helps offset the cost.

How Do You Start Recycling?

A Successful Program Needs:

  • Top level management support...the success of your recycling program hinges upon the endorsement of senior management. Their possitive support promotes a similar attitude among the establishment's employees and customers. Also, reycling programs often require initial outlays of capital.
  • A coordinator...a person in charge of developing, managing, and enforcing the program, who is responsible for its success and who others may contact with questions.
  • A task force...To assist the coordinator in developing the initial program. Custodial staff, administrative staff, and educators should be included.
  • A waste audit...To determine who's throwing away what and how much is being trashed. Reduction and reuse should also be considered.
  • A market investigation....To determine where your recyclable materials can be processed. Most waste haulers offer collection of recyclables. Some companies buy recyclable material.
  • A convenient collection system...With attractive, easy to use containers, near the action...next to the computer and soda machine...or a central storage area. Personnel are needed to collect and record information on how much of what is being recycled.
  • A review of procurement policies ....To determine if other products can be subsituted for current supplies that are recyclable and/or made of recycled materials. Perhaps currrent buying practices can be revised.
  • An education program....To inform staff about the program, program goals, the value of waste reduction and recycling, and periodically encourage people to continue recycling. Remind them they're doing the right thing to help themselves, their community and the environment.