Due to the Labor Day Holiday, all regular Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Collection Update: 4th of July 2024 – Due to the 4th of July holiday, Residential Penn Waste collections will be delayed one (1) day on Thursday and Friday. Thursday (7/4) customers will be collected on Friday (7/5). Friday customers will be collected on Saturday. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday customers are not affected by the holiday.
The following municipalities’ yard waste collection will be delayed by one week, occurring on 7/13/24, due to the holiday:
Carroll Township
Fairview Township
Newberry Township
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Due to the excessive heat forecasted, Penn Waste routes may start earlier than normal in order to complete routes prior to the hottest time of the day. In order to ensure collection, we recommend placing your material curbside the evening before your collection day. This is for the safety of our employees.
Collection Update: Memorial Day 2024 – During the week of the Memorial Day Holiday (5/27), all Residential Penn Waste collections will be delayed one (1) day. Monday (5/27) customers will be collected on Tuesday (5/28). Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
The following municipalities’ yard waste collection will be delayed by one week, occurring on 6/8/24, due to the holiday:
Carroll Township
Conewago Township
Fairview Township
Newberry Township
Susquehanna Township
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Friday, March 29, 2024 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule on the Good Friday holiday. Please place your waste and recycling curbside on your regularly scheduled collection day. Sunday, March 31, 2024 – All Penn Waste routes will not be affected by the Easter Holiday. Please place your waste and recycling curbside on your regularly scheduled collection day next week.
Due to inclement weather conditions, Penn Waste will not be operating on Saturday, February 17, 2024.
Since we are currently operating on a 1-day delay due to the weather event earlier this week, this closure will only impact our Friday residential customers.
Friday residential customers – We will take double your normal volume next Friday, February 23, 2024.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to keep our team members safe.
Tuesday, February 13, 2024 – Due to inclement weather, all Penn Waste routes will not be operating on February 13. We will be operating on a holiday schedule for the remainder of the week. Tuesday customers material will be collected on Wednesday. Wednesday customers material will be collected on Thursday, and so on through the remainder of the week through Saturday. We apologize for any issues this may cause. We made this decision for the safety of the public and our crews.
Penn Waste will not be operating on Saturday, January 20, 2024.
For any customers that we were not able to collect the week of January 15th due to the two snow events and extreme cold weather, we will be collecting double your normal volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
We do not take this decision lightly. We made this decision for the safety of our employees and the customers that we service. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Due to severe weather conditions, all Penn Waste operations will be operating on a two-hour delay on Wednesday to ensure the safety of our dedicated team members.
Furthermore, as a result of the closure on Tuesday caused by inclement weather, our collection schedule for the remainder of this week will experience a one-day delay. Please note the following adjustments:
Tuesday customers will now be serviced on Wednesday
Wednesday customers will now be serviced on Thursday
Subsequent days will follow suit, with collection extending until Saturday
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. At Penn Waste, the well-being our dedicated crews is our utmost priority. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time.
Thank you for your continued support.
Tuesday, January 16, 2024 – Due to the inclement weather, all Penn Waste operations will be operating on a holiday schedule for the remainder of the week. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday, Wednesday customers will be collected on Thursday, and so on through the Saturday.
We apologize for the inconvenience. The safety of our crews is our priority.
Monday, January 15th, 2024 – All routes will be running on Monday for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday. Please place your waste and recycling curbside on your regularly scheduled collection day the week of January 15th.
Please visit our website at www.pennwaste.com for specific municipality information.
Due to the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Holidays, all residential Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day during the weeks of December 25, 2023 and January 1, 2024.
Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
Please visit our website at www.pennwaste.com for specific municipality information.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, all regular Penn Waste residential trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Thursday customers will be collected on Friday. Friday customers will be collected on Saturday. Monday – Wednesday customers will be collected on your normal collection day.
Please visit our web site at www.pennwaste.com for specific municipality information.
Sign Up for our E-News Updates to receive collection updates sent directly to your e-mail inbox.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Not sure how to dispose of ashes after using your fire pit? Follow these tips to ensure proper disposal of your hot ashes.
Allow ashes to cool in the area where you had the fire for several days. These areas are designed to contain their heat safely.
When it is time to dispose of ashes, test to ensure the hot ashes are cool by placing them in a cardboard box or paper bag before disposal. In this situation, never leave these ashes unattended until they are cool enough for disposal. If the ashes are too hot, they will begin to burn through the box or bag.
Transfer the cool ash to a plastic bag and then tie it shut. This will ensure any dust from the bagged ashes does not get into our employees’ eyes or lungs.
Do NOT put any ashes in a trash container. They should be left on the ground beside your trash container. By sitting them outside of the cart, we can confirm the ashes are NOT hot before placing them in the truck.
Never dispose of hot ashes with your yard waste material. By placing ashes with yard waste, such as tree trimmings and leaves, the potential for fires increase substantially.
Due to the Labor Day Holiday, all regular Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Due to the excessive heat forecasted for the remainder of the week, Penn Waste routes may be starting one hour early on your service day for the remainder of the week. Collection days affected include July 26, July 27 and July 28. If you are a customer scheduled to be collected on any of these days, please place your waste and recyclables curbside the evening prior to your collection to ensure that you are serviced on your collection day. The early start is for the safety of our employees that will be working in the heat. We appreciate your understanding.
Collection Update: 7/6/23 – Due to the forecasted heat for tomorrow, July 6, Penn Waste routes will be starting one hour early. This is for the safety of our employees working in excessive heat. In order to ensure collection, please have your material curbside this evening (July 5). We appreciate your understanding.
Week of July 3, 2023: Due to the 4th of July holiday falling on a Tuesday, all residential waste and recycling collection will be delayed by one day the week of July 4th. Tuesday customers will be serviced Wednesday. Wednesday customers will be serviced Thursday, and so on for the remainder of the week. Monday customers will not be affected by the holiday. Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Rechargeable batteries, such as those found in common household items like cell phones, tablets, toys, electric toothbrushes, tools, and remote controls should NEVER be placed in your curbside trash and recycling bins because they start fires. Please visit Call2Recycle.org to find a drop off location near you.
Due to temperatures forecasted above 90 degrees Fahrenheit tomorrow, June 2nd, crews will be operating one hour earlier than typical in most communities. To ensure that your material is collected, please place your waste and recycling curbside this evening if you are scheduled to be collected tomorrow. Tomorrow’s customers are normally Thursday customers due to the Memorial Day Holiday on Monday, May 29th.
Collection Update: Memorial Day 2023 – During the week of the Memorial Day Holiday (5/29), all Residential Penn Waste collections will be delayed one (1) day. Monday (5/29) customers will be collected on Tuesday (5/30). Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
The following municipalities’ yard waste collection will be delayed by one week, occurring on 6/10/23, due to the holiday:
Carroll Township
Conewago Township
East Pennsboro Township
Fairview Township
Newberry Township
Susquehanna Township
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
To stay up to date on recycling tips and collection updates, consider following us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
It was a hard blow to take when last March when a fire swept through Penn Waste’s Manchester Township recycling center.
“One of the devastating things for me was seeing the employees in the parking lot during the fire. They took it really hard,” said Shawn Querry, Penn Waste’s recycling center site manager. “We have people that want to be here. That was devastating to see that.”
Just over a year later, however, the company has launched a new — and decidedly more high tech — facility that’s able to process some 420 tons of recyclables per day.
“To be back up and be bigger and better is amazing to me,” Querry said. “The employees put a lot of work into it and take pride in what they do.”
It took $35 million to get the facility back up and running, but what Penn Waste got in return was a state-of-the-art facility with a fire suppression system to keep history from repeating.
“We initially projected the rebuild to take over a year and a half due to parts delays and the complexity of the rebuild,” Penn Waste spokesperson Amanda Moley said. “We were fortunate to have several vendors who all worked together to get us back up and running in record time.”
Automation is even more prevalent at the plant. Before the fire, the facility had six robotic sorters to take out things that could not be recycled or processed through the system.
Now, there are 11 robots to help in the sorting.
“We were able to change things up with optical sorters and robots,” Querry said, “and take the risk out of it for employees where employees are sorting through recyclables. We struggled with things that shouldn’t be put into a recycle bin.”
Automation also makes things more efficient.
The facility takes in 420 tons of recyclables a day and processes 48 tons of it an hour. Before the fire, the facility was processing 40 tons an hour.
“We have the capability to run 50 tons an hour, but we don’t need to right now,” Querry said.
Taking out things that could not be recycled also became more efficient, going from 30 picks a minute to a thousand picks a minute. It also takes less manpower. Before the fire, the recycling center had 21 human sorters. After the fire, that number was reduced to seven.
With automation came a reduction in the number of people needed to operate the recycling center. The workforce now stands at 25, from a high of 67 and the workday has been reduced to one 12-hour shift.
“Not all the material we were getting pre-fire came back to us after fire,” Querry said. “We just didn’t have the volume for a two-shift operation as of right now.”
Employees who were replaced by the robotic sorters were given the opportunity to shift to Penn Waste’s hauling division, if they were physically capable of doing the job.
“Some of the folks did that. The folks that didn’t take that opportunity unfortunately were laid off,” Querry said. “We brought back who we needed to bring back.”
Besides the obvious dangers of handling large volumes of recyclables, such as glass shards or sharp metal pieces, is the threat that comes from rechargeable batteries being tossed out into the recycling bin. The fire that broke out on March 8, 2022, was thought to have been caused by a rechargeable battery.
“Due to how fast the fire happened and how hard it was to put out, the fire department believes it was a rechargeable battery that caused the fire,” Moley said.
It was around 8:30 p.m. when the fire broke out in the middle of the facility’s cardboard bunker, Querry said.
“We had 40 employees on site, and they tried to put the fire out and they couldn’t because it got too hot,” he said.
The place went up in flames in about 10 minutes, Querry said, because nothing could be done to put it out. Damage to the metal building was minimal, but the machinery used to sort the recyclables was rendered unusable due to smoke and water damage.
Querry said they were able to get machinery that processed glass and cardboard up and running about five weeks after the fire. The rest of the recyclable material was taken to a sister facility in Virginia while plans were developed to retrofit the building with new technology. Starting in January, the facility was shut down for two months to install the new processing technology.
Changes made post-fire now can nip fire threats in the bud, Moley said.
One of them was the installation of Fire Rover, which is a fire detection technology and fire suppression system.
“It uses thermal imaging and 24/7 monitoring to notify us of any fires starting that we do not see ourselves,” Moley said. “We’ve also added foam fire suppression units throughout the building and near our holding bunkers. Our employees also go through special training so they are prepared should we experience another fire.”
All in all, what has resulted after what was a dark time last year is a more efficient and safer recycling center for York County.
“The technology in the waste industry today is amazing,” Querry said. “We’ve worked with our vendors to automate. Who would’ve thought in recycling we would be able to automate the plant.”
Friday, April 7, 2023 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on a normal collection schedule on the Good Friday holiday. Please place your waste and recycling curbside on your regularly scheduled collection day.
Monday, April 10, 2023 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on a normal collection schedule the week following the Easter Holiday. Please place your waste and recycling curbside on your regularly scheduled collection day the week of April 10th.
As a reminder, please check our website at www.PennWaste.com and our social media pages when inclement weather hits to see if there are collection changes. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Monday, February 20, 2023 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on a normal collection schedule for the Presidents Day Holiday / week of February 20th. Please place your trash and recycling curbside on your regular collection day.
When it comes to waste disposal, there is a lot of confusion about what should be classified as trash, what should be recycled, and what needs to be disposed of as hazardous waste. It’s critical that you understand the differences between these types of waste in order to ensure proper disposal.
Trash
Trash can generally be defined as anything that cannot or should not be recycled or reused in any way. Generally, this includes food waste, non-recyclable packaging, single-use plastics and other items of trash. While many forms of trash are unable to be recycled due to their composition or size, it is important to note that all trash should still be disposed of properly as taking shortcuts can lead to safety issues such as truck fires and fires at our recycling facility.
Recycling
Recycling is the process of taking materials such as cardboard, plastic, metal and glass that would otherwise end up in landfills or being incinerated, and transforming them into new items. In order for something to be classified as recyclable material it must meet certain guidelines such as being clean and dry, free from contaminants and on our list of recyclable items we accept at our recycling facility. When you place an item in your curbside recycling bin it will be collected, go through our sorting process and then be shipped out for further processing at a mill. This process helps separate materials so they can be treated accordingly and re-purposed into new products.
Hazardous Waste Disposal
Hazardous waste refers to any kind of material that poses a threat either to humans or the environment if handled improperly; this includes certain types of chemicals, paint thinners, rechargeable batteries, and cleaning products among other things. These items need special handling when disposing of them in order to prevent any potential health and safety risks or environmental damage.
Hazardous waste is not something that should ever be placed in your curbside trash or recycling bins. Hazardous waste needs to be dropped off at an approved solid waste authority facility that is specially equipped for taking these items.
By understanding the differences between each type of waste you can help protect our planet from potential harm while also ensuring responsible disposal practices are followed wherever possible.
Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday falling on Thursday, November 24th, all Residential Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Thursday customers will be collected on Friday. Friday customers will be collected on Saturday. All collections on Monday, November 21st, Tuesday, November 22nd, and Wednesday, November 23rd will be collected on their regularly scheduled day. In addition, the below yard waste routes will be impacted.
Yard Waste collection will occur on Saturday, December 3, 2022 for the following municipalities:
Manchester Township West Manchester Township York Township
Want to stay up to date on our recycling tips and collection updates? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
We wish all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Not sure how to dispose of ashes after using your fire pit? Follow these tips to ensure proper disposal of your hot ashes.
Allow ashes to cool in the area where you had the fire for several days. These areas are designed to contain their heat safely.
When it is time to dispose of ashes, test to ensure the hot ashes are cool by placing them in a cardboard box or paper bag before disposal. In this situation, never leave these ashes unattended until they are cool enough for disposal. If the ashes are too hot, they will begin to burn through the box or bag.
Transfer the cool ash to a plastic bag and then tie it shut. This will ensure any dust from the bagged ashes does not get into our employees’ eyes or lungs.
Do NOT put any ashes in a trash container. They should be left on the ground beside your trash container. By sitting them outside of the cart, we can confirm the ashes are NOT hot before placing them in the truck.
Never dispose of hot ashes with your yard waste material. By placing ashes with yard waste, such as tree trimmings and leaves, the potential for fires increase substantially.
Collection Update: Week of October 10th
Columbus Day, Monday, October 10, 2022 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on a normal collection schedule the week of the Columbus Day Holiday. Please place your waste and recycling curbside on your regularly scheduled collection day.
Week of September 5, 2022: Due to the Labor Day holiday falling on a Monday, all residential waste and recycling collection will be delayed by one day the week of September 5th. Monday customers will be serviced Tuesday. Tuesday customers will be serviced Wednesday, and so on for the remainder of the week. Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
To stay up to date on recycling tips and collection updates, consider following us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Rechargeable batteries, such as those found in common household items like cell phones, tablets, toys, electric toothbrushes, tools, and remote controls should NEVER be placed in your curbside trash and recycling bins because they start fires. For this reason, rechargeable batteries need to be handled with special care. To find a drop-off location that accepts rechargeable batteries, please visit www.Call2Recycle.org/locator and put in your zip code. You can also call them at 1-877-2-RECYCLE.
In addition, many big box retailers accept rechargeable batteries. Some examples, are Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Staples.
What types of items have rechargeable batteries?
Smart Devices such as Smart Locks and Ring Doorbells
Children’s Toys such as Remote Control Cars
Electric Toothbrushes
Smoke Detectors
Remote Controls
Sporting Goods such as bike lights and golf rangefinders
Digital Cameras
Portable Radios
Cell Phones
Baby Monitors
Flashlights
Power Tools
Vaping Devices
E-Bikes, Hoverboards, and Scooters
Thank you for your help in keeping our employees and your property safe!
Summer is ending and school will be starting back up soon. Penn Waste would like to remind the communities we service to take precautionary measures when near our garbage trucks to ensure a safe environment. Here are some safety tips to help keep our communities safe:
Keep Your Distance – Garbage trucks are bulky with many blind spots. Keeping your distance will ensure we can see you AND no debris hits you, your children or your vehicle should it accidentally fall out of our truck. Please stay back at least 30 feet. Also, do not let your children go near or climb on the truck.
If you cannot see the driver’s eyes, they most likely cannot see you.
Proceed Carefully – If you must pass a garbage truck, do so with extreme caution. Make sure none of our employees or pedestrians are nearby and there is no on-coming traffic.
Stay Calm – Getting frustrated and having road rage will not make our trucks move any faster. Irrational behavior will only lead to any accident.
Stay Alert – Garbage trucks stop and start often due to the nature of our business, which is why it is important not to be distracted near one. If you hear a back-up alarm, move away from the truck.
It takes a garbage truck twice as along as a passenger car to stop which is also, why it is important to keep your distance.
Penn Waste is committed to the safety of our employees and the communities we service. Please drive carefully around our vehicles and be extra vigilant since children will be returning to their bus stops soon.
Are you looking for a new career?
We want to meet YOU! Bring your family and kids, grab some lunch on-site, check out our trucks, facilities, and equipment and learn about our company culture! We’d love to hear what your goals are and how we can help you achieve them as a valued Penn Waste team member. Saturday, July 16th 10am-2pm at 85 Brick Yard Road, Manchester, PA 17345
Week of July 4, 2022: Due to the 4th of July holiday falling on a Monday, all residential waste and recycling collection will be delayed by one day the week of July 4th. Monday customers will be serviced Tuesday. Tuesday customers will be serviced Wednesday, and so on for the remainder of the week. Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Collection Update: Memorial Day 2022 – During the week of the Memorial Day Holiday (5/30), all Residential Penn Waste collections will be delayed one (1) day. Monday (5/30) customers will be collected on Tuesday (5/31). Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
The following municipalities yard waste collection will be delayed by one week, occurring on 6/11/22, due to the holiday:
Carroll Township
Conewago Township
East Pennsboro Township
Fairview Township
Newberry Township
Susquehanna Township
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
To stay up to date on recycling tips and collection updates, consider following us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Friday, April 15, 2022 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on a normal collection schedule on the Good Friday holiday. Please place your waste and recycling curbside on your regularly scheduled collection day.
Monday, April 18, 2022 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on a normal collection schedule the week following the Easter Holiday. Please place your waste and recycling curbside on your regularly scheduled collection day the week of April 18th.
Tony Santiago, who has been at Penn Waste seven years, was hired as a driver while he was still attending York County School of Technology to be a diesel mechanic. Today, he takes pride in his work and the life the job has provided him.
Tony Santiago is a second-shift leader at Penn Waste and oversees repairs, inspections, safety checks, and training of new staff. (Photo by Orendorff Studios for Our York Media)
While most people imagine truck bays to be greasy, dusty, and dirty places, Tony Santiago knows that’s not the case at the repair garage at Penn Waste in East Manchester Township. Every day, he prides himself in ensuring his toolbox shines and the floor is spotless.
Tony was hired by the company more than seven years ago as a truck driver. He spent six months behind the wheel, learning how the vehicles work and what the job entails each day.
His real goal, though, was to fix the vehicles when they broke down. When he finished his education as a diesel mechanic at York County School of Technology, Penn Waste pulled him off the route and put him in the garage. He’s been there ever since.
Through the years, Tony Santiago’s built relationships with his crew at Penn Waste. “I’m blessed being here,” he says. (Photo by Orendorff Studios for Our York Media)
‘Proud of my career’
Today, Tony is the second-shift leader and oversees repairs, inspections, safety checks, and training of new staff.
He sees a lot of young mechanics coming up through the ranks as he did years ago. They’re curious. They want to grow. And Tony wants to help them.
“I enjoy sharing my passions with others who want to do good work,” he says. “I feel like I accomplish something when I can train someone to do something on their own. It’s rewarding to see someone succeed.”
For Tony, he finds reassurance that his job is secure.
“Everyone has trash,” he says, laughing. He feels respected by the company; he knows he’s valued.
Through the years, he’s also built relationships with his crew. Someone might come over and help him with a project at his house, or if he ever needed anything, he knows he has people he can call.
“I’m blessed being here,” Tony says. “I’m proud of my career. I feel I’ve accomplished a lot.”
Work with Penn Waste
Penn Waste, a Waste Connections company, is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer (Minorities/Female/Disabled Veterans). Its jobs offer an outstanding working environment, including a great atmosphere with extensive on-the-job training and top-notch equipment. The company offers opportunities for career growth as well as a competitive compensation package with attractive benefits.
Monday, February 21, 2022 – Penn Waste is OPEN on Presidents’ Day. Please place your trash and recycling curbside on your regular collection day.
Larry Sanderson was in a temp job, living in a rough neighborhood, and unable to afford a car before he found a job — and purpose — at Penn Waste eight years ago.
Larry Sanderson says he’s grateful for the better life he’s found through a consistent paycheck, health benefits, and the assurance of a retirement plan. (Photo by Orendorff Studios for Our York Media)
Larry Sanderson “wasn’t in the best life situation.” He worked a temp job at a printing company, lived in a neighborhood that struggled with crime, and couldn’t afford a car.
He saw Penn Waste was hiring a full-time sorter and thought it might be his opportunity to change his life.
Eight years later, he feels like he’s a different person.
Finding growth
That job let to numerous promotions, from sorter to control room technician to being a lead person, where he assists the management team by monitoring machines and ensuring work is completed each day.
“This is the type of industry where it’s the small things that matter,” Larry says. “I have to pay attention to the sounds or visuals on a machine because if something goes down, it’s a big deal. I really pride myself on the attention to detail.”
“I didn’t just find a job here; I found peace of mind,” says Larry Sanderson of Penn Waste. “The impact I see in my personal life was the best thing that could have happened to me.” (Photo by Orendorff Studios for Our York Media)
Larry goes home at the end of each day tired, but knowing he has a job to return to tomorrow helps him rest easy.
While he’s grown personally since he started at Penn Waste — eventually moving to a different neighborhood and buying a car, among other things — he also feels a responsibility to educate people on recycling.
“A lot of people complain about the climate and global warming, but every day when I clock in, I make a difference,” he says. “We help the environment every day by what we do.”
‘I found peace of mind’
Larry admits that life is good these days. But, he says, he’s not done growing.
He’s working hard to earn his next promotion as shift supervisor. And he is grateful for the better life he’s found through a consistent paycheck, health benefits, and the assurance of a retirement plan.
“I didn’t just find a job here; I found peace of mind,” Larry says. “The impact I see in my personal life was the best thing that could have happened to me.”
Due to poor road conditions, all Penn Waste routes (with the exception of City of Lancaster) are being canceled for today, Monday, January 17th. We will be operating on a holiday schedule the rest of this week. All Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday and so forth. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you but the safety of our employees is our top priority.
Cold, winter weather is here which brings a new set of challenges & safety concerns for our team members. To ensure your trash & recycling gets collected, please keep the following in mind when placing your items curbside.
Dark trash bags are easier for our employees to see. White trash bags blend in with the snow. If you have a darker colored trash bag that you could use or a trash can that you can place your bag in, it will make it easier for our employees to see ensuring that your trash gets collected.
Check for schedule changes. When there are service interruptions that effect the majority of our customers, we will post updates on social media, our website, and send out email blasts.
Know when to place your bins at the curb. Customers should refrain from placing bins at the curb before snowfall or while snowing to avoid the possibility of bins either getting buried or knocked over.
Cover the openings of bins. Customers should cover the openings of their bins so that snow doesn’t add unnecessary weight. Open bins filled with snow and waste or recyclables could injure collection workers.
Shovel out spaces for bins and shovel out buried bins / bulk items. To make for easy, quick and safe collection, customers should shovel out spaces for their bins, shovel them out if they get buried in snow, and shovel out any bulk items that freeze to the ground.
Pick up bins that have been knocked over. If bins happen to get knocked over by snowplows, customers should pick them up and place them back at the curb.
Safety is our number one priority. If you have children who are playing in the snow, please be mindful of them playing close to the streets as visibility may be impaired due to weather conditions.
Slow Down Before You Go Around. If you are behind a trash or recycling truck, please make sure you slow down before you go around. Check for traffic coming in the opposite direction before going around the truck and make sure you look for our employees before trying to pass.
Thank you for working with us to help keep our employees safe!
Due to inclement weather and state roadway restrictions, all Penn Waste residential operations will be delayed one day. All residential Friday routes will run tomorrow (Saturday, January 8th).
All scheduled Christmas tree collections for January 8th will be pushed back one week to Saturday, January 15th.
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.
Want to stay up to date on our recycling tips and collection updates? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
COVID-19 UPDATE
As many of you know, there continues to be tremendous unknowns surrounding COVID-19 and the rapid spread of the current Omicron variant. The recent increases in community spread in both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals and quarantining due to exposures for our employees is resulting in a limited workforce at Penn Waste. These circumstances may result in future service delays, unanticipated service interruptions, or unusually high call volumes.
We continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation daily and will send updates as necessary.
In order to protect our employees and reduce the spread of the virus, Penn Waste will be enforcing the following mandates:
All trash must be bagged and tied. If you are in a municipality that has a mobile cart for collection, all trash must be placed in tied bags.
All recyclable materials must be placed inside your recycling container(s). Flattened cardboard may be placed next to your recycle bin or cart.
We will enforce the bag and/or cart limits as designated by your municipality.
Other best practices to limit exposure:
Please limit your interactions with your waste and recycling teams when you see them in your neighborhoods.
Consider utilizing our pay your bill function on our website, pay over the phone (717-767-4456) or mail in your payment to help limit face-to-face interaction with our team members.
All of the above actions are being put in place to help protect the health and safety of our team members. Please continue to check our website and social media pages for any further updates. We appreciate your help, understanding and patience as we all navigate these unprecedented times together.
Penn Waste will be operating on a normal residential collection schedule this week since Christmas falls on a Saturday this year.
We do encourage all Friday customers to place their trash out Thursday night. Our team members will be starting earlier Friday morning to ensure they get home in time to spend Christmas Eve with their families.
We wish all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News Release
Media Contact:
Amanda Moley
Marketing Supervisor
717-360-1978
amoley@pennwaste.com
PENN WASTE DONATES 53 BIKES FOR A “WHEELIE” GOOD CAUSE
The Company raised over $8,450 towards their Annual Christmas Promise Bike Program
York, PA – December 17, 2021 –Penn Waste, a waste and recycling company servicing south central Pennsylvania, is spreading holiday cheer this season by donating 53 bikes and bike helmets to children in need just in time for Christmas. Penn Waste team members raised over $8,450 through employee and vendor contributions to purchase the bikes.
“Part of our culture at Penn Waste is our commitment to our communities. Our parent company, Waste Connections, has a particular passion for helping children in-need and at-risk. Their annual Christmas Promise Bike Program has provided 43,000 bikes to children in need nationwide since the program started 20 years ago. It’s very inspiring to see our team members come together for this worthy cause,” said Mark Pergolese, District Manager for Penn Waste.
The bikes were donated to Community Action Partnership (CAP) in Lancaster County. Community Action Partnership is Lancaster County’s largest anti-poverty organization and boasts a service profile that interrupts inter-generational poverty with programs that assist families at every age and place in life. To learn more, visit https://caplanc.org/.
About Penn Waste
Penn Waste, a Waste Connections company, provides premier residential and commercial waste removal and recycling services to the south central Pennsylvania region. Founded in 2000, Penn Waste employs more than 380 dedicated and driven individuals who are committed to providing safe, dependable and courteous service to each and every home and business served. Penn Waste is recognized for its substantial growth over the past 21 years, operating a fleet of more than 130 waste removal and recycling collection trucks and serving over 190,000 customers in 67 municipalities in the counties of York, Lancaster, Adams, Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry. In addition, Penn Waste owns and operates one of the largest single-stream recycling facilities in the nation. The waste collected from Penn Waste customers is used to create clean, green energy, fueling local waste to energy sites to support a better future. For more information about Penn Waste, visit www.PennWaste.com or on social media @PennWaste.
About Waste Connections
Waste Connections, headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, is an integrated solid waste services company that provides non-hazardous waste collection, transfer and disposal services, along with resource recovery primarily through recycling and renewable fuels generation. The Company serves more than eight million residential, commercial and industrial customers in mostly exclusive and secondary markets across 44 states in the U.S. and six provinces in Canada. Waste Connections also provides non-hazardous oilfield waste treatment, recovery and disposal services in several basins across the U.S., as well as intermodal services for the movement of cargo and solid waste containers in the Pacific Northwest. For more information, visit Waste Connections at wasteconnections.com.
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Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, all Residential Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Thursday customers will be collected on Friday. Friday customers will be collected on Saturday. All collections on Monday (11/22), Tuesday (11/23), and Wednesday (11/24) will be collected on their regularly scheduled day.
Want to stay up to date on our recycling tips and collection updates? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
We wish all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
It is important to keep safety in mind when handling hot ashes from wood stoves, fireplaces and fire pits. Hot ashes can cause major safety issues for not only you, but for our employees as well.
Hot ashes and coals from fires can remain hot enough to start fires for many hours or even days after a fire is out. The amount of time it takes for hot ashes to cool depends on many factors, some of which include how hot the fire was, what was burning, how much unburned fuel remains if fuel was used, etc. Please keep all of these factors in mind when disposing of hot ashes.
In order to properly dispose of the hot ashes, here are some tips to keep in mind:
If possible, allow ashes to cool in the area where you had the fire for several days. These areas are designed to contain their heat safely.
When it is time to dispose of ashes, test to ensure the hot ashes are cool by placing them in a cardboard box or paper bag before disposal. In this situation, never leave these ashes unattended until they are cool enough for disposal. If the ashes are too hot, they will begin to burn through the box or bag.
Transfer the cool ash to a plastic bag and then tie it shut. This will ensure any dust from the bagged ashes does not get into our employees’ eyes or lungs.
Do NOT put any ashes in a trash container. They should be left on the ground beside your trash container. By sitting them outside of the cart, we can confirm the ashes are NOT hot before placing them in the truck.
NEVER dispose of hot ashes with yard waste material. By placing ashes with yard waste, such as tree trimmings and leaves, the potential for fires increase substantially
Below is a postcard our West Lampeter Township customers will be receiving at their homes regarding changes to their trash service. Please see below.
All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule on the Columbus Day holiday (Monday, October 11, 2021). Please place your waste and recycling curbside on your regularly scheduled collection day.
As kids head back into the classroom, we thought it’d be a good time to take our customers back to recycling school! Here’s a refresher on the basics of recycling:
Step 1:Only recycle the items we accept at our recycling facility. This includes:
Plastics with numbers 1,2 and 5 on the bottom
Cardboard
Newspaper
Aluminum and metal food and beverage cans
Food & beverage cartons (such as an orange juice carton)
Step 2:Make sure your recyclables are empty, clean and dry. Dirty recyclables can contaminate other recyclables in the truck load.
Step 3:Place ONLY the above recyclable items in your recycling bin. Want to save space in your recycling container? Flatten your cardboard and condense your large plastics if possible.
Finally, one of the most frequently asked questions we get is whether lids should be taken off of containers. The answer is yes, but the reason why might surprise you. Lids are typically too small for our machinery to capture and end up getting mixed in with other contaminates that cannot be recycled.
Recycling really is that easy! Class dismissed.
Monday, September 6th, 2021: Due to Penn Waste being closed on Labor Day, all Residential Penn Waste collections will be delayed one (1) day for the remainder of that week. Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
To stay up to date on recycling tips and collection updates, consider following us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have not already done so, consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive recycling suggestions and collection updates directly to your e-mail inbox.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Thursday, September 2, 2021 – We are operating on a normal schedule for the remainder of this week.
In addition, we are attempting to collect in areas that were missed yesterday (Wednesday, 9/1/21). If they are still inaccessible today, we will collect double on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
Thank you for your understanding as we are dealing with many challenges from Tropical Storm Ida.
Sunday, July 4th, 2021 – Due to the 4th of July holiday falling on a Sunday, regular residential waste and recycling collection will not be affected by the holiday.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Monday, May 31, 2021: Due to the Memorial Day Holiday, all Residential Penn Waste collections will be delayed one (1) day. Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
The following municipalities yard waste collection will be delayed by one week, occurring on 6/12/21, due to the holiday:
Camp Hill Borough
Carroll Township
East Pennsboro Township
Fairview Township
Newberry Township
Susquehanna Township
West Manheim Township
To stay up to date on recycling tips and collection updates, consider following us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have not already done so, consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive recycling suggestions and collection updates directly to your e-mail inbox.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Memorial Day is around the corner which means it’s time to fire up the grill & open up the pool! But not so fast…we have a few reminders we’d like to go over before you officially kick off summer.
Do NOT place the following items in your curbside trash & recycling containers:
PROPANE TANKS – Propane tanks are extremely flammable and should never be disposed of in your curbside trash and recycling bins (This includes the small camping size propane tanks). Contact your local solid waste authority to see if they accept them or ask the vendor you bought it from if they will take them back.
POOL CHEMICALS – Pool chemicals are extremely combustible which is why they cannot be disposed of in your curbside trash and recycling bins. To dispose of them, check with the store you bought them from to see if they have any resources for disposal. You could also donate them to a local pool or check with your local solid waste authority to see if they accept them.
LIVE AMMUNITION – Live ammunition should never go in your curbside trash and recycling. Check with local law enforcement, indoor gun ranges, or your local solid waste authority to see if they accept live ammunition.
RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES – Rechargeable batteries can easily start fires when combined with the right materials. Never place these in your curbside collection bins. Several retailers such as Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Target offer drop-off programs. You can also check with your local solid waste authority to see if they accept them.
With YOUR help, we can keep our employees safe and prevent fires in our trucks and at our recycling facility by properly disposing of these combustible materials. THANK YOU!
Today is one of our favorite days of the year – EARTH DAY! As a reminder, below are our recycling guidelines to help ensure you’re recycling the correct items. These recycling guidelines should be used in York, Cumberland, Dauphin, Adams, and Perry counties.
For our customers in Lancaster County, please follow their BIG4 Recycling Guidelines.
Friday, April 2, 2021 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule on the Good Friday holiday. Please place your waste and recycling curbside on your regularly scheduled collection day.
Sunday, April 4, 2021 – All Penn Waste routes will not be affected by the Easter Holiday. Please place your waste and recycling curbside on your regularly scheduled collection day next week.
Warmer weather is right around the corner. We’re just as excited as you are! During this time, many people like to do some spring cleaning. We’ve compiled a list of resources for you to check out before you place everything in the trash.
Many items can be recycled, reused, or donated to a local non-profit. More dangerous items, such as household hazardous waste items, pose a serious safety risk for our employees so you cannot place them in your curbside trash and recycling bins.
Please review the below tips and follow your own municipality’s guidelines when spring cleaning. Click here to view our Municipality Resource Page and select your municipality for more specific information regarding your guidelines.
Items You Can Recycle
Penn Waste accepts the following items through your curbside recycling program:
Clean and empty plastic bottles and containers with #s 1, 2 and 5 on the bottom.
Clean and empty glass bottles and jars.
Clean and empty milk cartons.
Clean and flattened cardboard.
Clean and dry newspaper.
Clean and dry steel and aluminum cans.
These are the ONLY items that should go in your curbside recycling container.
*If you live in Lancaster County, please follow Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority’s BIG 4 Recycling Guidelines.
How to Properly Dispose of Electronic Waste
In Pennsylvania, certain electronics are restricted by law from being disposed of in the trash due to the toxic metals they contain. As a result, electronic waste cannot be collected curbside by Penn Waste. Please contact your county Solid Waste Authority to see if they have a drop-off program.
Some examples of electronic waste are: computers, computer peripherals (keyboards, mouse, printer, etc.), computer monitors, and televisions.
How to Properly Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste
Household hazardous waste is considered any products that are flammable, can react, or explode under certain circumstances. For this reason, they cannot go in your curbside trash and recycling bins. We experience countless truck fires every year due to hazardous waste NOT being properly disposed of. For this reason, please contact your county Solid Waste Authority to see if they have a drop-off program.
Examples of household hazardous waste are: Driveway sealant, flammable materials, fluorescent bulbs, tube lights and lighting ballasts, garden chemicals, household cleaners, mercury containing devices and liquid mercury, photographic chemicals, pool chemicals, rechargeable batteries and vehicle fluids.
Appliances & Appliances Containing Freon
Appliances that do not contain Freon can be placed with your curbside trash. If the appliance does not fit in your trash container, it will be considered a bulk item. Please check your municipality resource page to see if bulk item collection is a service you have. All bulk items must be able to be lifted by two people. Items that are too heavy to be lifted by two people will not be collected.
Please call Penn Waste at 717-767-4456 to schedule removal of any appliances containing Freon. Some examples are: refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and water coolers.
Paint Cans
Empty paint cans should be placed in your bagged trash, then placed in your trash container, due to the amount of paint residue that will be on them. If you’re not sure how to dispose of your half-empty paint cans, we recommend the following:
Consider donating your paint to a community center, charity, place of worship, local theater or Habitat for Humanity ReStore. They’re often working on projects with a limited budget and could use the extra supplies.
Harden the paint by adding equal parts cat litter to the paint in the can. Stir the cat litter into the paint until it thickens and won’t spill. Allow the mixture to sit for one hour before placing in your bagged trash. ***There are weight limits on your trash container and they vary by municipality. A good rule of thumb is your trash container should never weigh more than 50 lbs. Keep this in mind since hardened paint becomes very heavy.
Clothing
Clothing should never be placed in your curbside recycling bin. The materials get wrapped around the processing equipment at our recycling facility, causing it to jam up and break. Many non-profits such as Salvation Army, Goodwill, and consignment shops accept used clothing for donation. As a last resort, clothing can be placed in your curbside trash container.
Additional Resources
If you have something else that does not fit into the above categories, we recommend checking the website Earth911.com for additional resources for disposal. You can also check with your county solid waste authority or the vendor you originally purchased the item from.
Lastly, before you throw something in the trash, take a moment to consider if there’s anyone else in your community who might be able to use what you’re about to throw away. Many non-profits accept donated household goods, clothing, appliances, furniture, and more.
Happy Spring Cleaning!
Monday February 22nd, 2021 – Due to the inclement weather, Penn Waste residential routes are now cancelled for the remainder of the day. This is for the safety of our employees and others that may need to be on the roads. For any areas that were not collected today, we will be collecting these areas tomorrow, Tuesday February 23rd.
We will attempt to get caught up on collections through the remainder of the week. Please place your waste and recycling curbside on your normal collection day for the rest of the week as our crews will be doing their best to get caught up each day.
Thank you for you for your patience and understanding during these weather events.
Friday, February 19, 2021 – Due to inclement weather and road conditions, Penn Waste Residential Routes are now cancelled for Friday. We are no longer operating on a holiday schedule for the remainder of the week. Due to this cancellation, we will collect double the allowed limit for any Thursday and Friday customers on your next regularly scheduled collection day. The safety of our employees is our top priority.
Penn Waste crews will be operating on Friday, February 19th, 2021. We will be operating on a holiday schedule for the remainder of the week.
• Thursday routes will be collected on Friday the 19th.
• Friday routes will be collected on Saturday the 20th.
For any areas that are inaccessible due to road conditions, we will collect double your normal limit on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
Due to the forecasted winter weather for tomorrow, Penn Waste routes will not be operating on Thursday, February 18th, 2021. We will continue to monitor the weather tomorrow and update all customers on our operational plans for Friday, February 19th.
At this point, we will plan on operating on a holiday schedule for the remainder of the week:
– Thursday customers will be collected on Friday the 19th.
– Friday customers will be collected on Saturday the 20th.
Thank you for your understanding.
Appliances with Freon Require a Special Pick-Up
If you have any appliances with freon in them, please contact us via 717-767-4456 to schedule a special pick-up. Some examples of appliances with freon are: refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, air conditioners and water coolers.
Dark trash bags are strongly encouraged if you do not have a trash container or mobile cart. White trash bags are hard to see if placed in the snow. If you do use white trash bags, please make sure they’re placed on a shoveled surface that is visible from the road. We appreciate your help!
Plastic bags get wrapped around our recycling equipment and jam up the machinery. Our employees must climb into the machinery to manually remove the plastic bags that get wrapped around the equipment. For this reason, please do not place plastic bags in your curbside recycling bins!
In Our Community
Penn Waste is a proud sponsor of South Western High School’s Mini-Thon benefitting Four Diamonds. Participants of the South Western High School Mini-THON® 2021 are joining more than 90,000 students across the country to help conquer childhood cancer. If you’d like to donate or learn more, please click here.
Monday, February 15, 2021 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule for the President’s Day Holiday. Please place your trash and recycling curbside on your regular collection day.
Tuesday, February 2, 2021 – Due to inclement weather, Penn Waste routes will not be operating on Tuesday February 2. We will be operating on a modified holiday schedule for the remainder of the week. Monday routes are cancelled for this week. Monday Customers – we will accept double the normal volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday, Wednesday customers will be collected on Thursday, Thursday customers will be collected on Friday and Friday customers will be collected on Saturday. For any areas that are inaccessible due to road conditions, we will collect double on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
Lancaster City Customers – Monday and Tuesday routes are cancelled. We will collect double on your next collection day. Wednesday routes will be collected on Wednesday, and so on through the remainder of the week.
We appreciate your understanding with us during this weather event. Stay safe!
Monday, February 1, 2021: Due to the inclement weather, All Penn Waste routes will not be operating on Monday, February 1, 2021. At this time, routes will be operating on a holiday schedule for the remainder of the week. Due to the potential severity of the storm, we may need to cancel operations on Tuesday as well. Please check back tomorrow afternoon for any additional updates on the remainder of the week. We appreciate your understanding. Stay safe!
Penn Waste Residential Operations will be operating on a 1 hour delay on Tuesday, January 26th, 2021. Thank you for your understanding.
Follow these driver safety tips the next time you’re near a garbage truck.
Keep Your Distance.Garbage trucks are bulky with many blind spots. Keeping your distance will ensure we can see you AND no debris hits your vehicle should it accidentally fall out of our truck. Please stay back at least 30 feet.
Proceed Carefully.If you must pass a garbage truck, do so with extreme caution. Make sure none of our employees are near by and there is no on-coming traffic.
Stay Calm.Getting frustrated and having road rage will not make our trucks move any faster. Irrational behavior will only lead to an accident.
Stay Alert.Garbage trucks stop and start often due to the nature of our business which is why it’s important to not be distracted while near one.
Monday, January 18th, 2021 – All routes will be running on Monday for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday. Please place your waste and recycling curbside on your regularly scheduled collection day.
New Year’s Day Collection Schedule: Friday, January 1st, 2021
Due to the New Year’s Day holiday, all residential Penn Waste routes will be delayed one (1) day. Friday customers will be collected on Saturday. In order to ensure your waste and recyclables are collected, please place your material curbside the evening before your collection day. All other customers will be serviced on their regularly scheduled collection day.
Note – Penn Waste operates on New Year’s Eve. New Year’s Eve will not have an impact on our operations.
Best wishes from the Penn Waste team for a safe and joyous Holiday Season!
Penn Waste Wednesday and Thursday Customers – due to the inclement weather last week, we notified you that we will accept double the normal limit of waste on your next collection day. As you may have noticed, some crews may be in your area collecting your waste and recycling on a day other than your normal collection day. We are trying to catch up in some of the areas that were missed due to the weather. We will still be collecting your waste and recyclables on your regularly scheduled day. If you do not currently have your waste and recycling curbside, you will still be collected this week. If you did leave your waste and recycling curbside after being missed and were collected on a day other than your normal collection day, you will still be collected on your normal collection day as well.
As a reminder, Penn Waste does operate on Thursday, December 24th. Friday customers will be collected on Saturday, December 26th.
Three York-Based Organizations Team Up to Spread Christmas Cheer
Penn Waste, KBS Trucking, & The Scott & Tracy Wagner Family Foundation donate $50,000 to two local Salvation Army organizations in South Central Pennsylvania
YORK, Pa. 12/18/20 – Three local organizations, Penn Waste, Inc., KBS Trucking, and The Scott & Tracy Wagner Family Foundation have teamed up with the Salvation Army of York and the Salvation Army of Harrisburg to help “Rescue Christmas.”
“Our community non-profits need our help now more than ever. When we heard the Salvation Army was facing a 50% decrease in donations from their annual Red Kettle campaign due to COVID-19, we knew we needed to help,” said Scott Wagner, Chairman and CEO of KBS, Wagner Family Foundation President, and Founder of Penn Waste.
Pictured Left to Right: Judy Toomey, CFO of KBS Trucking; Ed Ward, District Manager of Penn Waste; Kathy Anderson-Martin and Jeffrey Piccola, both representing the Salvation Army of Harrisburg; Cristina Wagner and Katharine Wagner, both representing The Scott & Tracy Wagner Family Foundation.
Due to the on-going pandemic, The Salvation Army needs resources to serve up to 155% more people with Christmas assistance this year.
The group made a $50,000 donation to each of the Salvation Army locations (York and Harrisburg) to assist with their community initiatives.
“On behalf of Penn Waste, KBS Trucking, and The Scott & Tracy Wagner Family Foundation, we applaud the Salvation Army for the services they provide our communities and we encourage others to support them financially during this time of need,” said Wagner.
Pictured Left to Right: Judy Toomey, CFO of KBS Trucking; Ed Ward, District Manager of Penn Waste; Major Tom Babbitt of Salvation Army of York, Cristina Wagner and Katharine Wagner, both representing The Scott & Tracy Wagner Family Foundation.
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Christmas Day Collection Schedule: Friday, December 25th, 2020
Due to the Christmas Day holiday, all residential Penn Waste routes will be delayed one (1) day. Friday customers will be collected on Saturday. All other customers will be serviced on their regularly scheduled collection day.
Note – Penn Waste operates on Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve will not have an impact on our operations.
Best wishes from the Penn Waste team for a safe and joyous Holiday Season!
Collection Update: Routes Running Friday 12/18 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on Friday, December 18th, 2020. We will be collecting Friday routes. For any areas that are inaccessible due to road conditions, we will collect double on your next regularly scheduled collection day. Thank you for your understanding.
Thursday Customers: We will accept double on your next regularly scheduled collection. Penn Waste routes will be operating on Thursday, December 24th, Christmas Eve.
Collection Update: Inclement Weather – Thursday 12/17/20 – Due to inclement weather, Penn Waste routes will not be operating on Thursday, December 17th. We will collect double your normal limit on your next regularly scheduled collection day for Thursday customers and any Wednesday customers that were not collected this week. At this point, Friday routes will be operating on Friday, December 18th. We appreciate your understanding during the weather.
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 – Due to the inclement weather beginning in our area, Penn Waste routes are no longer running for Wednesday. For any areas that were not collected today, we will collect double on your next regularly scheduled collection day. We do not take this decision lightly, but in order to ensure our crews can get home safely, this decision had to be made. We will provide further update on Thursday routes in the near future.
Penn Waste Operations is currently planning a strategy for the upcoming weather event that will hit Southcentral PA on Wednesday 12/16. As of now, our plans are as follows.
Wednesday, 12/16/20 – Penn Waste residential routes may start early in your area in an attempt to get most routes completed before substantial snow accumulation affects our operations. Please consider placing your trash and recycling curbside Tuesday Evening. Our crews will continue to operate until it is no longer safe to be on the roads. Penn Waste will then review the current status of Wednesday routes and the inclement weather. Updates for Thursday collections will be communicated Wednesday.
Please consider sharing this information with neighbors and sign up for our E-News Updates to get collection updates directly in your email inbox.
Thank you for your understanding.
Penn Waste is making a list and checking it twice – here are all the non-recyclable items that ended up on our 2020 NAUGHTY LIST!
Thanksgiving Holiday Collection Schedule: Thursday November 26th, 2020
Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, all Residential Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Thursday customers will be collected on Friday. Friday customers will be collected on Saturday. All collections on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be collected on the regularly scheduled day.
Want to stay up to date on our recycling tips and collection updates? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
We wish all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Important Reminder – Dead animals / animal remains should NOT go in your recycling bin. We have seen an increase in animal carcasses coming through at our recycling plant including but not limited to: coyotes, foxes, deer, a goat head and bear paws. Aside from the fact these items are gross for our employees to come in contact with, these items result in down time for our plant and contaminate actual recyclable material. A recent incident involving skinned bear paws required us to shut down for a portion of our 1st Shift while the police investigated to ensure they were not human remains. Thankfully, they were not. We post often about what NOT to recycle because we continue to get the same crazy items coming through our facility. Please help us spread the word – NO DEAD ANIMALS.
Wednesday, November 11th, 2020: All Penn Waste routes will be running on schedule for the Veterans Day Holiday.
Penn Waste would like to thank our Veterans for their service to our nation.
Monday, October 12, 2020 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule on the Columbus Day Holiday. Please place your waste and recycling curbside on your regularly scheduled collection day.
Monday, September 7th, 2020: Due to Penn Waste being closed on Labor Day, all Residential Penn Waste collections will be delayed one (1) day for the remainder of that week. Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
To stay up to date on recycling tips and collection updates, consider following us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have not already done so, consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive recycling suggestions and collection updates directly to your e-mail inbox.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Many residents ask why we require them to bag their trash, even if they’re placing it directly into a trash can or trash mobile cart. The answer is simple: Safety.
Loose trash in your waste receptacle is dangerous to our employees. When it’s dumped from your container into the back of our truck, loose trash such as debris and liquids can spray in our employees faces or get on their skin.
Cat litter dust, paint splatter, broken glass, dog poop, saw dust – Would you want any of these items splattering on you if you were collecting the trash?
COVID19 has amplified the need for trash to be bagged in order for us to protect the health and safety of our employees.
In addition, bagging your trash helps to prevent waste from contaminating your property. Less loose trash and light debris will get blown or thrown from the collection area if it is bagged. There’s also less chance for liquids from the truck to spray the surrounding area.
By bagging your trash, you’re helping to protect your property and keep our employees safe.
8/4/20 – All residential routes are operating today. Due to inclement weather and flooding roads, for any areas that we are unable to collect, we will collect double your normal limit on your next scheduled collection day. Thank you for your understanding.
Attention Newberry Township residents: Effective in August, your monthly yard waste collection date will be moving to the first Saturday of the month. On Saturday, August 1st, we will be by to collect your yard waste. If you have any questions, please contact us at 717-767-4456.
We need your HELP!
Hazardous waste continues to be an issue we are now dealing with on a WEEKLY basis. It should NEVER go in your curbside trash and recycling.
The result is always the same…a FIRE. This puts our employees lives in danger and causes major down time for our crews. We are already short-staffed due to a number of reasons and THIS has a ripple effect on our service.
When a truck catches on fire, it must immediately pull over in an opening parking lot and dump all contents out of the truck. 911 must be called, fire crews have to come put it out, hazmat occasionally has to get involved, and our employees need checked out for injuries. A professional cleaning crew must then come out and clean up any residue from the parking lot we dumped on.
Please do not put pool chemicals (or chemicals of any kind), rechargeable batteries, propane tanks, or anything else that could be combustible in your curbside trash and recycling. THANK YOU!
Saturday, July 4th, 2020 – Due to the 4th of July holiday falling on a Saturday, regular residential waste and recycling collection will not be affected by the holiday.
Special Note:
Camp Hill Borough: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday, 7/11/20 due to the holiday.
Carroll Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday, 7/11/20 due to the holiday.
East Pennsboro Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday, 7/11/20 due to the holiday.
Fairview Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday, 7/11/20 due to the holiday.
Newberry Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday, 7/11/20 due to the holiday. Beginning in August, your yard waste collection date will change to the FIRST Saturday of the month.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Monday, May 25, 2020: Due to the Memorial Day Holiday, all Residential Penn Waste collections will be delayed one (1) day. Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
To stay up to date on recycling tips and collection updates, consider following us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have not already done so, consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive recycling suggestions and collection updates directly to your e-mail inbox.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Hazardous waste is considered pool chemicals, lithium batteries (rechargeable batteries), hot ashes, live ammunition and propane tanks.
Although we are still working with a depleted workforce, we will be resuming our yard waste and bulk item collection programs. We understand that there is a need for these materials to be collected and we appreciate your understanding while we worked through the difficult circumstances that led us to delay these services for a period of time.
We will be resuming Yard Waste collections beginning on May 2nd. The yard waste collections will follow your regularly scheduled collection schedule for May. If you do not know when your yard waste collection is scheduled, you can find out by visiting your municipality’s page on our website – https://www.pennwaste.com/for-your-home/municipalities/.
We understand that customers may have yard waste ready to be collected, but we ask that residents hold until their next regularly scheduled collection day and place a reasonable amount of yard waste curbside. We will not be able to collect an unlimited amount of yard waste from each home, so by asking residents to place a reasonable amount curbside, it will ensure that the entire route is completed. Bulk item collection will resume on Monday, May 4th on your next regularly scheduled collection day. We will be collecting one bulk item per week per residence. We will strive to clean up any back log over the next two months. This is in order to make sure our crews are able to finish routes in a timely manner.
If you are unsure of when your bulk item collection is, please visit your municipality’s page on our website – https://www.pennwaste.com/for-your-home/municipalities/.
Also, please bundle any excess cardboard you may have in order to allow our crews to collect this material in an efficient manner.
Thank you for your understanding and patience during this crisis.
Attention Lower Windsor Township residential customers – You will be collected tomorrow (Saturday, April 25th). As we continue to deal with a depleted workforce due to the Covid-19 crisis, we need to push your collection back one day. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.
Friday, April 10, 2020 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule on the Good Friday holiday. Please place your waste and recycling curbside on your regularly scheduled collection day.
Sunday, April 12, 2020 – All Penn Waste routes will will not be affected by the Easter Holiday. Please place your waste and recycling curbside on your regularly scheduled collection day next week.
Effective Monday, March 30th, Penn Waste will be enforcing the following collection mandates in an effort to protect our frontline team members and as a result of having a limited workforce during this COVID-19 pandemic:
All trash must be bagged and tied. If you’re in a municipality that has a mobile cart, all bags must be placed inside your mobile cart. Loose items will not be collected.
All recyclable materials must be placed inside your recycling container(s), including your flattened cardboard. Recyclable items left outside of your recycling container will not be collected.
We will enforce the bag and/ or cart limits as designated by your municipality. If you do not know what your limits are, you can check on our website by selecting your municipality on our municipality resource page – https://www.pennwaste.com/for-your-home/municipalities/.
Bulk item and yard waste collection is suspended until further notice. We are doing this so we can continue to focus all our efforts and personnel on trash and recycling collection.
All of the above actions are being put in place to help protect the health and safety of our team members. After the COVID-19 crisis is over, we will resume our normal collection practices and reinstate bulk item and yard waste collection services. Please continue to check our website and your municipality’s website for updates.
Penn Waste takes great pride in being a trusted partner in the South-Central Pennsylvania community for the last 20 years. We appreciate your help, understanding, and patience as we all navigate these unprecedented times together.
As a result of Governor Wolf’s recent Executive Order in response to the COVID-19 crisis, we have several important updates to share with you.
Effective Monday, 3/23/20, Penn Waste Residential Collections will operate as follows:
Trash Collection – On Schedule as Normal
Recycle Collection – On Schedule as Normal Yard Waste Collection – Temporary suspension until further notice
Bulk Item Collection- Temporary suspension until further notice
We are doing this so we can continue to focus all our efforts and personnel on trash and recycling collection.
The collection of trash is our top priority as improperly managed waste can create conditions that may have severe adverse effects on public health, safety and the environment.
ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES:
Monday, March 23rd, administrative staff will be working remotely and we will have limited staff on premise. If you need to pay your bill, you can still mail it in, pay your bill online at https://www.pennwaste.com/pay-your-bill/, or pay over the phone via our automated system by calling 717-767-4456.
Residential Customers – If you have an emergency, please send us an email at info@pennwaste.com. Please do not send an email unless it is a real emergency.
Both emails will be monitored during our normal 8AM-5PM business ours.
If we have more service changes to communicate, we will continue to share additional updates via our social media channels, website, email blasts and we will make individual contacts as necessary.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all try to navigate these unprecedented times.
As we continue to provide an essential service to our customers, we’re asking for your help to keep our employees safe.
What Can You Do To Help?
Bag & tie your household trash. Household trash that is not properly bagged and tied is susceptible to spills and further increases the risk of exposure for our personnel to potentially infectious waste.
Continue to place recyclable items loose in your bin. Refer to our recycling guidelines on what is acceptable. Do not place items such as plastic bags, tissues, napkins, food-soaked material etc. in your recycling bin.
Limit interaction with our team members. We love our Penn Waste fans, but please say hi to our employees from a safe distance.
Properly dispose of medical waste. Medical waste such as needles used to administer medication to individuals or pets should be placed in a rigid plastic container that has a lid (such as a detergent bottle or coffee can), clearly marked “Sharps”, sealed shut and placed inside a garbage bag in the TRASH.
Utilize our website and email contact form. Many of your frequently asked questions are addressed on our website. If you have a question, please consider contacting Penn Waste via our contact form on our website at www.PennWaste.com instead of calling in.
Pay Your Bill Online – You can pay your bill online at www.PennWaste.com
What Are We Doing?
Our number one value at Penn Waste is the safety of our employees, our customers, and the communities we serve. We are closely monitoring the current situation and are following guidance from the CDC, WHO, and our state and local public health officials. We have also implemented measures to prevent the spread of illnesses, including COVID-19. At Penn Waste. We recognize that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has tremendous unknowns and could cause unanticipated service delays, service interruptions, or unusually high call volumes.
At Penn Waste, we have developed and implemented business continuity plans to ensure our operations run as effectively as possible during this unique period in order to keep our commitment to provide the best possible service in a courteous, effective manner, and show respect and gratitude for those we are fortunate to serve.
Thank you. We greatly appreciate your patience and trust in Penn Waste.
Dear Penn Waste Customer:
Our number one value at Penn Waste is the safety of our employees, our customers, and the communities we serve. We are closely monitoring the current situation and are following guidance from the CDC, WHO, and our state and local public health officials. We recognize that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has tremendous unknowns and could cause unanticipated service delays, service interruptions, or unusually high call volumes.
We provide an essential service within our communities and strive to meet our customer commitments. At Penn Waste, we have developed and implemented business continuity plans to ensure our operations run as effectively as possible during this unique period in order to keep our commitment to provide the best possible service in a courteous, effective manner, and show respect and gratitude for those we are fortunate to serve.
Thank you. We greatly appreciate your patience and trust in Penn Waste.
Due to the current circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 virus, we wanted to let you know that we are committed to working together during these unprecedented times. We continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation daily and will send updates as necessary.
As of today, Wednesday, March 18th, we are operating on a normal schedule.
We have taken precautions to protect our employees but ask for your help as well. Please limit your interactions with your waste and recycling teams when you see them in your neighborhoods.
In addition, please utilize our Pay Your Billfunction on our website, pay over the phone (717-767-4456) or mail in your payment to help limit face-to-face interaction with our team members.
We will continue to share updates via our website, email blasts, social media channels, and make individual contacts when necessary.
Stay safe everyone!
COVID-19 Update (Saturday, March 14, 2020) – At this time, all Penn Waste operations are conducting business as usual. As of today, we do not have any changes in service. As the current situation is still evolving, it is too early to say if our operations will be impacted.
Safety remains our #1 priority at Penn Waste. As the emerging health crisis takes place, we will continue to monitor the situation closely and make necessary decisions based off of the safety and well-being of our employees and customers. We do encourage everyone to check back regularly for updates via our social media pages, website, email blasts, and we will make individual contacts as appropriate. Stay safe everyone!
Wednesday, January 8, 2020 – Due to inclement weather last evening and this morning, Penn Waste residential routes began later than normal. Due to road conditions, there may be areas that we are unable to collect. For those areas, we will collect double next week.
The safety of our crews is our top priority. Thank you for your understanding.
Christmas Day Collection Schedule: Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Due to the New Year’s Day Day holiday, all residential Penn Waste routes will be delayed one (1) day. Wednesday customers will be collected on Thursday. Thursday customers will be collected on Friday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
Best wishes from the Penn Waste team for a safe and happy holiday!
Christmas Day Collection Schedule: Wednesday, December 25th, 2019
Due to the Christmas Day holiday, all residential Penn Waste routes will be delayed one (1) day. Wednesday customers will be collected on Thursday. Thursday customers will be collected on Friday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
Best wishes from the Penn Waste team for a safe and joyous Holiday Season!
Thanksgiving Holiday Collection Schedule: Thursday November 28th, 2019
Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, all Residential Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Thursday customers will be collected on Friday. Friday customers will be collected on Saturday. All collections on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be collected on the regularly scheduled day.
Want to stay up to date on our recycling tips and collection updates? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
We wish all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
In honor of America Recycles Day, we’d like to remind all of our customers to please recycle responsibly! Check out our latest video on what you should NOT be placing in the recycling bin & why it’s important you recycle right!
Monday, November 11th, 2019: All Penn Waste routes will be running on schedule for the Veterans Day Holiday.
Penn Waste would like to thank our Veterans for their service to our nation.
It’s that time of year again – cutting plants back, raking up leaves, and trimming your hedges one last time this season! We compiled a list of tips for you to keep in mind when preparing your yard waste to ensure it gets collected and disposed of properly.
No Plastic Bags – Do not place plastic bags INSIDE of your yard waste containers or brown paper yard waste bags. All yard waste trimmings should be placed loosely into these containers.
Container / Yard Waste Bag Weights – Please be mindful of how heavy the container is when placing yard waste into your containers and brown paper yard waste bags. When you smash down trimmings it can become severely compacted. This makes it difficult for our employees to lift the bags and containers. This may result in material getting stuck in the bottom of the yard waste containers. If you have to drag your containers and bags to the curb, they’re too heavy.
Bundles of Trimmings – Bundles of tree and bush trimmings should be no longer than 4 feet in length, no wider than a basketball, and branches may not exceed 6 inches in diameter. Bundles should also not weigh more than 30 pounds each. This ensures our employees can safely collect the material and it fits in our trucks. You can use any type of biodegradable twine to bundle your trimmings.
Thorns – Be mindful of any trimmings that have thorns on them. Please give our team members an easy and safe way to handle this material as thorn bushes are a major safety hazard for our employees. We encourage you not to bundle these items, but to place them inside of brown paper yard waste bags or to use a yard waste container so our employees have a safe way to pick them up and dump them in to the truck.
Leaves – Check with your local municipality to see if leaves are accepted as part of your yard waste collection. Some municipalities allow them and some do not.
Grass Clippings, Dirt, Stones, Tree Stumps, and Fruits & Vegetables – As always, the previously mentioned items should NOT be placed out for yard waste collection.
It is important to keep safety in mind when handling hot ashes from wood stoves, fireplaces and fire pits. Hot ashes can cause major safety issues for not only you, but for our employees as well.
Hot ashes and coals from fires can remain hot enough to start fires for many hours or even days after a fire is out. The amount of time it takes for hot ashes to cool depends on many factors, some of which include how hot the fire was, what was burning, how much unburned fuel remains if fuel was used, etc. Please keep all of these factors in mind when disposing of hot ashes.
In order to properly dispose of the hot ashes, here are some tips to keep in mind:
If possible, allow ashes to cool in the area where you had the fire for several days. These areas are designed to contain their heat safely.
When it is time to dispose of ashes, test to ensure the hot ashes are cool by placing them in a cardboard box or paper bag before disposal. In this situation, never leave these ashes unattended until they are cool enough for disposal. If the ashes are too hot, they will begin to burn through the box or bag.
Transfer the cool ash to a plastic bag and then tie it shut. This will ensure any dust from the bagged ashes does not get into our employees’ eyes or lungs.
Do NOT put any ashes in a trash container. They should be left on the ground beside your trash container. By sitting them outside of the cart, we can confirm the ashes are NOT hot before placing them in the truck.
NEVER dispose of hot ashes with yard waste material. By placing ashes with yard waste, such as tree trimmings and leaves, the potential for fires increase substantially
Monday, October 14, 2019 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule on the Columbus Day Holiday. Please place your waste and recycling curbside on your regularly scheduled collection day.
Toilets may not be something you initially think of as being a safety hazard to our team members but they are when not placed at the curb properly! In the last few weeks, we’ve seen an influx of cracked or broken toilets being placed curbside. They are collected as trash but we would like to encourage all of our residents to either place them out in two pieces (as shown in the photo below) or sit the cracked pieces out separately. Please do not place any cracked pieces back together so the toilet is sitting curbside looking as if it is not broken. Toilets should be placed curbside in two pieces when disposing of them – the tank and the seat should be taken apart.
We’ve had multiple instances where our team members pick up a toilet and the cracked, porcelain pieces fall apart as they are loading it into the truck. Broken porcelain is extremely sharp and toilets are dirty. These incidents have resulted in lacerations to our team members legs requiring stitches.
As always, thanks for helping us keep our team members safe!
Penn Waste would like to issue a reminder to residents in south central Pennsylvania that pool chemicals should NOT be disposed of in your curbside trash and recycling bins. Pool chemicals are considered hazardous waste and need to be disposed of properly. Scroll down to learn more.
The Problem
As noted by the EPA, pool chemicals are hazardous because when they mix with a small quantity of water or are improperly mixed, such as with other chemicals or reactive materials, they can ignite causing fires. They can also cause skin irritation and release toxic vapors.
Many pool chemicals are highly reactive and capable of generating high temperatures which will start fires. Reactivity may be triggered by water wetting the chemical or by the inadvertent mixing of pool chemicals with an incompatible material.
When pool chemicals are disposed of in the trash or recycling, there is a high risk of them reacting because they will come in contact with other liquids in our trucks. Rain, high humidity, and other general liquids disposed of in your trash and recycling can cause the pool chemicals to react when they get collected by our truck resulting in a truck fire (as seen in the above photo).
The Solution
Do not place pool chemicals in your trash and recycling! Here are several options for getting rid of pool chemicals:
Take them to a facility that handles hazardous waste. Make sure you check with your local solid waste authority to see if they accept pool chemicals prior to arriving.
Cumberland County Solid Waste Authority – Click here
Check with the pool store you originally bought them from to see if they have a disposal method.
Donate them to a community pool or your neighbors who have pools.
Shock your pool by dumping the left over pool chemicals in before you close it for the season.
We appreciate your help in keeping our team members safe!
Monday, September 2nd, 2019: Due to Penn Waste being closed on Labor Day, all Residential Penn Waste collections will be delayed one (1) day for the remainder of that week. Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
Special Note:
Camp Hill Borough: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday 9/14/19 due to the holiday.
Carroll Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday 9/14/19 due to the holiday.
East Pennsboro Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday 9/14/19 due to the holiday.
Fairview Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday 9/14/19 due to the holiday.
Susquehanna Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday 9/14/19 due to the holiday.
To stay up to date on recycling tips and collection updates, consider following us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have not already done so, consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive recycling suggestions and collection updates directly to your e-mail inbox.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Please be advised that all mobile carts should be placed BEHIND THE CURB and not on the street. The mechanical arm on the Single Operator Vehicle garbage truck has the capacity to reach past the curb in order to pick up the mobile carts.
Here are some tips to ensure a smooth collection process:
Set mobile cart out before your start time.
Place mobile cart with the lid opening towards the road.
Do not place the cart in the roadway. Remember to “Keep it Neat, and Off the Street!”
Do not block walkways with carts.
Place carts at least three feet apart from each other and mailboxes, fire hydrants, low hanging trees or shrubs, parked cars, or utility poles – so trucks can easily access the carts.
Thanks for your help ensuring the carts are placed properly at the curb!
One question that Penn Waste gets asked a lot is how to properly dispose of propane tanks and smaller camping gas tanks. Neither of these items should be disposed of in your curbside trash and recycling. While some Solid Waste Authorities do accept them at their drop-off locations, others do not which can make disposal tricky.
It is imperative these gas tanks are disposed of properly because they are a fire hazard. This past weekend, we actually experienced a small fire in a baler at our recycle center which was linked back to a propane tank.
In fact, any type of container that previously contained gas / fuel should NEVER be placed in your recycling bin! This includes propane tanks, small camping gas tanks, butane, and Paslode quick fuel cartridges.
We’ve compiled a list of local resources for you to contact to inquire about disposal of gas propane tanks.
Please call each location in advance to ensure they are still accepting these tanks from the public. You will also need to check their hours of operation, whether there is a disposal fee and if there are any other special instructions such as valve removal.
You can also check with the vendor you bought the tank from to see if they have a return or exchange program.
Location:
Company Name:
Address:
Phone #:
Dover
Spangler’s Ace Hardware
4072 Carlisle Rd., Dover, PA 17315
717-292-6055
Elizabethtown
B & G Lumber
212 W. High St., Elizabethtown, PA 17022
717-367-1680
Harrisburg
Amerigas
6823 Paxton St., Harrisburg, PA 17111
717-561-8806
Gettysburg
Consolidated Scrap Resources
2230 York Rd., Gettysburg, PA 17325
Lancaster
Suburban Energy Services
2440 Dairy Rd., Lancaster, PA 17601
717-898-2267
Lancaster
Wrecklamations
1119 Manheim Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601
717-299-6796
Lemoyne
Ritter’s True Value Hardware
1200 Market St., Lemoyne, PA 17043
717-731-1070
Mountville
Ressler Propane
27 W. Main St., Mountville, PA 17554
New Freedom
Aero Energy
25 E. High St., New Freedom, PA 17349
717-235-3854
Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury True Value
836 E. Forrest Ave., Shrewsbury, PA 17361
717-235-6700
York
Consolidated Scrap Resources
120 Hokes Mill Rd., York, PA 17404
717-843-0931
York
Consolidated Scrap Resources
530 Vander Ave., York, PA 17403
717-843-0931
York
Darrah’s Automotive & Recycling
535 Prospect Rd., York, PA 17403
717-845-9679
York
J & K Salvage
1099 Kings Mill Rd., York, PA 17403
717-843-3672
York
West York Agway
2650 W. Market St., York, PA 17404
717-668-8258
None of the resources work for you? You can also visit www.Earth911.com for additional resources by entering your zip code.
Penn Waste would like to advise all of our customers not to throw rechargeable batteries in their trash and recycling bins. Rechargeable batteries are a fire hazard and are prone to exploding. In just the last week, Penn Waste has experienced several small fires in the trash collected due to rechargeable batteries. Once these batteries are damaged or incorrectly charged, they’re a fire hazard.
Rechargeable batteries are found in laptops, cell phones, wireless security cameras, digital cameras, and rechargeable tools, just to name a few.
Rechargeable batteries are considered hazardous material and should be disposed of properly, otherwise they create a safety hazard for our team members.
Please check with your local solid waste authority (listed below) for hazardous waste resources, drop-off locations and times. In addition, you can check with local retailers such as Best Buy, Lowe’s and Home Depot. Many of them offer battery recycling at their stores.
We appreciate your help in keeping our team members safe!
Resources:
York County Solid Waste Authority – Click here
Lancaster County Solid Waste Authority – Click here
Cumberland County Solid Waste Authority – Click here
Friday, July 19th, 2019 – Due to the anticipated extreme heat, Penn Waste MAY be starting earlier than usual this Friday, July 19th. Friday customers, please place your trash and recycling out Thursday night to ensure it gets collected. We appreciate your help and understanding in this extreme heat.
Thursday, July 4th, 2019: Due to Penn Waste being closed on July 4th, all Residential Penn Waste collections will be delayed one (1) day for the remainder of that week. Thursday customers will be collected on Friday. Friday customers will be collected on Saturday.
Special Note:
Camp Hill Borough: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday 7/13/19 due to the holiday.
Carroll Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday 7/13/19 due to the holiday.
East Pennsboro Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday 7/13/19 due to the holiday.
Fairview Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday 7/13/19 due to the holiday.
To stay up to date on recycling tips and collection updates, consider following us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have not already done so, consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive recycling suggestions and collection updates directly to your e-mail inbox.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
TRANSCRIPT:
Many people try to recycle items that cannot be recycled or processed by the equipment we use at our recycling facility.
Some common materials are what we call “tanglers.”
Tanglers are non-recyclable items that get wrapped around the rolling screens which are used to help separate recyclables during the recycling process.
Penn Waste team members do try to remove as many of the tanglers as possible, but some still make it through.
Some examples of tanglers are – Plastic Shopping Bags, Garbage Bags, Hoses, Clothing, Rope, Christmas lights, plastic and metal strapping, towels, electrical cords, and VHS tapes.
Meet Moises.
Moises is 1 of 10 Penn Waste team members who must climb into the machinery and cut off the tanglers.
It takes at least 1 hour to remove the tanglers from each of the 4 screens and this required maintenance happens 4 times per day.
The machinery must be shut down during this time which wastes time and money. In addition, climbing into the equipment puts our employees in harm’s way.
The good new is, you can help!
Please do not bag your recyclables. Also, do not place plastic bags, plastic packaging, or other non-recyclable items in your curbside recycling bin.
There’s a list of acceptable items at www.pennwaste.com and here’s a reminder…. The only items that should be going in your curbside recycling bin are metal cans, plastic bottles and containers with numbers 1,2 and 5 on the bottom, newspaper, glass bottles and jars, dry and flattened cardboard, and cartons.
And don’t forget…all of these items should be clean and dry before placing in your recycling bin.
Moises and the rest of the Penn Waste team appreciates your help! For more information, visit www.PennWaste.com
School’s out and so is the sun! In our latest blog post, we’re sharing tips for having an eco-friendly picnic with your family and friends this summer.
1. Pack sustainable items instead of takeout or pre-packaged meals to reduce waste. You can cut down on waste and expenses with eco-friendly picnicware such as reusable straws, utensils and plates. You can also bring your own picnic basket or cloth bag instead of using paper or plastic bags. Don’t forget to pack your picnic blanket, cloth napkins and reusable food containers.
2. Recycle! We’re partial to this one 😉 If you choose to bring items that aren’t reusable, make sure that you recycle or dispose of them properly. Some of the most common recyclable items at a picnic are:
– Plastic water and soda bottles (throw the cap in the trash – it’s too small to be captured at our recycling facility)
– Metal soda and beer cans
– Glass wine and beer bottles
– Kids juice boxes (throw the straw in the trash)
All of the above recyclables should be clean, empty and dry before placing in a recycle bin. For a full list of what items are recyclable, please visit www.pennwaste.com.
3. Take trash with you. To ensure you leave the environment in the exact condition you found it, do not leave litter behind. It can contaminate water and land or be a danger to wildlife. Please take all your belongings and trash with you if there are no recycling or trash receptacles on site.
We hope these tips will help you enjoy your picnic with friends and family in a sustainable manner!
Monday, May 27, 2019: Due to the Memorial Day Holiday, all Residential Penn Waste collections will be delayed one (1) day. Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
Special Note:
Camp Hill Borough: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday 6/8/19 due to the holiday.
Carroll Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday 6/8/19 due to the holiday.
East Pennsboro Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday 6/8/19 due to the holiday.
Fairview Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday 6/8/19 due to the holiday.
To stay up to date on recycling tips and collection updates, consider following us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have not already done so, consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive recycling suggestions and collection updates directly to your e-mail inbox.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
To celebrate #EarthDay, we would like to remind everyone how to properly recycle with Penn Waste. Check out our latest video, “Recycling Basics” to learn more.
(***If you are a Lancaster County resident, please follow their recycling guidelines which can be found here – https://www.lcswma.org/recycling/)
TRANSCRIPT:
Recycling is an important part of a sustainable lifestyle and for preserving the resources used by society. Penn Waste can help you become a better recycler by following these Recycling Basics:
#1 – Know What to Recycle
Aluminum and steel cans. Plastic bottles and jugs with numbers 1,2 and 5 on the bottom.
Newspaper. Glass bottles and jars. Food and beverage cartons.
And corrugated cardboard.
You should never place the following items in your curbside recycling bin:
No packaging such as Styrofoam, bubble wrap, or packing pillows.
No medical waste…. No clothing or linens…no wood or building products…..and no electronics.
Also, never place plastic bags or tanglers – such as garden hoses and extension cords – in your recycling bin. These items get wrapped around the recycling equipment. Our team members must then crawl into the equipment and cut it off of the machinery.
Remember – Just because an item has the recycle symbol on it, doesn’t mean it can be recycled through your curbside recycling program.
You should always check our list – NOT the label.
#2 – Make sure your recyclables are empty, clean, and dry before placing them in your recycling bin. If you place this half empty ketchup bottle in your recycle bin, it can ruin other recyclables in the truck.
#3– Never bag your recyclables. As we just stated, plastic bags jam up our recycling equipment. As a result, recyclable items should always be placed individually into your recycling bin. This ensures all materials get recycled efficiently and can be turned into new products.
By following these 3 easy steps, you’ll help eliminate contamination and streamline the recycling process.
Friday, April 19, 2019 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule on the Good Friday holiday. Please place your waste and recycling curbside on your regularly scheduled collection day.
Sunday, April 21, 2019 – All Penn Waste routes will will not be affected by the Easter Holiday. Please place your waste and recycling curbside on your regularly scheduled collection day next week.
At this time, all Penn Waste routes will be operating on a 2 hour delay on Monday, March 4th. For any areas that are not accessible, we will accept double the normal volume on the next regular collection day.
Just Say NO to these 9 Items
The below items have never been recyclable through your curbside recycling program. Please do not place them in your recycling bin. For alternative options, you can visit www.Earth911.com for suggestions.
Carts Are Top Heavy
Just a friendly reminder that your waste and recycling carts are top heavy. Since we are currently experiencing 60 mph winds, your carts will blow over if they’re left outside empty or have little material in them. The best option to keep them from blowing over is to bring them inside as soon as they’re emptied (if possible). Please bag your trash (NOT your recycling) to keep loose trash from blowing around your neighborhood.
Collection Updates
Are you following us on social media? The fastest way to find out if there are collection schedule delays or cancellations is by checking our websitewww.PennWaste.com and following us on social media!
Safety First – Hot Ashes
Tis’ the season for wood stoves! It is important to keep safety in mind when handling hot ashes from wood stoves, fireplaces and fire pits. Hot ashes can cause major safety issues for not only you, but for our employees as well. Click here to learn more!
Are You Looking for a Career Change?
We’re hiring! Visit our Careers Page to find out what positions are open!
In Our Community
We had the opportunity to host 13 students from York City School District for a tour of our recycling facility! The students are implementing their own recycling system in their district through project-based learning.
Thursday, 2/21/19 – All routes are running on schedule. Areas that are not accessible, we will take double on your next regular collection day.
Wednesday, 2/20/19- At this time all Penn Waste routes have been cancelled. We will attempt to clean up most areas by Friday, 2/22/19. We will accept double the normal collection limit for areas that are missed this week.
Areas that we will not be able to return to until next week include Carroll Township, Heidelberg Township, Manheim Township (York County) and Monaghan Township.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Wednesday, February 20, 2019 – As of now, all routes are running on Wednesday, February 20. Please place your trash and recycling curbside on Tuesday evening. We will provide a further update on Wednesday.
Tis’ the season for wood stoves! It is important to keep safety in mind when handling hot ashes from wood stoves, fireplaces and fire pits. Hot ashes can cause major safety issues for not only you, but for our employees as well.
Hot ashes and coals from fires can remain hot enough to start fires for many hours or even days after a fire is out. The amount of time it takes for hot ashes to cool depends on many factors, some of which include how hot the fire was, what was burning, how much unburned fuel remains if fuel was used, etc. Please keep all of these factors in mind when disposing of hot ashes.
In order to properly dispose of the hot ashes, here are some tips to keep in mind:
If possible, allow ashes to cool in the area where you had the fire for several days. These areas are designed to contain their heat safely.
When it is time to dispose of ashes, test to ensure the hot ashes are cool by placing them in a cardboard box or paper bag before disposal. In this situation, never leave these ashes unattended until they are cool enough for disposal. If the ashes are too hot, they will begin to burn through the box or bag.
Transfer the cool ash to a plastic bag and then tie it shut. This will ensure any dust from the bagged ashes does not get into our employees’ eyes or lungs.
NEVER dispose of hot ashes with yard waste material. By placing ashes with yard waste, such as tree trimmings and leaves, the potential for fires increase substantially.
Monday, February 18, 2019 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule for the President’s Day Holiday. Please place your trash and recycling curbside on your regular collection day.
Tuesday, February 12, 2019 – Due to inclement weather, all routes are now cancelled for Tuesday. We will be operating on a holiday schedule for the remainder of the week. Tuesday’s routes will be collected Wednesday. Wednesday’s routes will be collected Thursday, and so on through Saturday. We appreciate your understanding.
Tuesday, February 12, 2019 – Due to inclement weather, all Penn Waste routes will be operating on a two hour delay on Tuesday, February 12th. We will provide further update as the weather dictates. We appreciate your understanding.
Monday February 11, 2019 – All Penn Waste routes will be running on schedule on Monday, February 11th. We will provide further updates if the weather dictates.
Saturday 2/2/19 – Routes are operating today, collecting residents that may have been missed on Thursday 1/31 or Friday 2/1. We are attempting to collect anyone that may have been missed. Due to cold temperatures and road conditions from Friday’s snow, some residences may not be collected on Saturday. If that is the case, we will collect double the allowed limit on the next regularly scheduled collection day.
Friday 2/1/19 – Due to the continued cold weather and its impact on trucks and employees, there will be areas that we are unable to collect today. Please leave your waste and recycling curbside as we will collect all material by the end of the day on Saturday 2/2/19. We appreciate your understanding with this frigid weather. The safety of our employees is our top priority.
Thursday, 1/31/19 – Due to the extreme cold weather and its impact on trucks and employees, there will be areas that we are unable to collect on your regularly scheduled collection day. Please leave your waste and recycling curbside as we will collect all material by the end of the day on Saturday 2/2/19. We appreciate your understanding with this frigid weather. The safety of our employees is our top priority.
Wednesday, January 30, 2019 – Due to inclement weather, Penn Waste will be operating on a one hour delay on Wednesday. We appreciate your understanding.
Tuesday, 1/29/19 – Due to the impending weather, most Penn Waste routes will be starting approximately 1 hour early on Tuesday. Please have your waste and recycling curbside tonight or early tomorrow morning to ensure collection. We appreciate your understanding.
Monday, January 21, 2019 – Due to inclement weather, at this time all Penn Waste routes will be operating on a delayed schedule tomorrow (Monday, January 21, 2019). Please continue to check back for any update as the inclement weather progresses.
Below are tips to keep in mind as we all deal with the current winter weather:
Hazardous Weather Conditions – There is currently a wind chill advisory in effect in south central Pennsylvania. If your trash and recycle bins are not full, please consider holding them until next week. We are trying to get our employees off the street and out of the hazardous weather as soon as possible. We appreciate your assistance in helping to keep our employees safe!
Wind – The extreme wind conditions will knock your trash and recycling Toters over, scattering trash and recyclables on the street. Again, if your bins are not full, please consider holding them until next week. The Toters will fall over from the wind after they’ve been emptied.
Wet Items Freeze to Dumpsters & Trash Cans — Exposed, wet items freeze to your dumpster / trash can in these cold winter temperatures. It makes it very difficult for our drivers and loaders to safely and efficiently empty your frozen dumpsters / trash cans which may lead to waste remaining in your container after dumping. Keep this in mind if you have any liquid in your trash. Please close your lids!
Please Make Sure the Road to Your Container is Plowed — The weight of the truck will compact the snow creating a sheet of ice, resulting in a serious safety hazard for our drivers.
Do Not Block Access to Your Dumpster with Excess Snow — This includes gates, corral and the path to direct access.
Dumpster Corral Pins — If you have a corral that has doors, the corral pins which hold the doors closed can freeze which may prevent us from accessing your dumpster or being able to close the doors. Placing salt around the pins can help alleviate this from happening, but we ask that you be aware of this in case we are not able to access your dumpster.
Monday, January 21st, 2019 – As of now, all routes will be running on Monday for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday. We will continue to monitor the weather over the weekend and advise of any changes to our schedule.
Winter is officially here and we have some winter weather reminders to help keep our employees and you safe!
Trash Bags — White trash bags blend in with the snow. If you have a darker colored trash bag that you could use or a trash can that you can place your bag in, it will make it easier for our employees to see ensuring that your trash gets collected.
Access to Your Trash & Recycling — Please make sure there is a clear, safe path for our employees to access your trash and recycling.
Bad Weather — Trash and recycling may not be collected at the exact time that it usually is due to poor weather conditions. Please visit pennwaste.com to sign up for e-news updates (scroll to the bottom of the homepage) and visit our website throughout the day for updates regarding your service. You can also find updates on our social media sites — www.facebook.com/pennwaste and www.twitter.com/pennwaste.
Children — Safety is our number one priority. If you have children who are playing in the snow, please be mindful of them playing close to the streets as visibility may be impaired due to weather conditions.
Slow Down Before You Go Around — If you are behind a trash or recycling truck, please make sure you slow down before you go around. Check for traffic coming in the opposite direction before going around the truck and make sure you look for our employees before trying to pass.
Keep Your Eyes On the Road When Driving — Please do not text and drive or get absorbed with other distractions such as playing with the radio or fixing your makeup. You are putting yourself, others on the road and our employees at risk. Keep your eyes on the road at all times and give yourself some room between other vehicles when driving.
Wind – Extreme wind conditions will knock your trash and recycling Toters over, scattering trash and recyclables on the street. Again, if your bins are not full, please consider holding them until next week. The Toters will fall over from the wind after they’ve been emptied.
Friday, January 18, 2019 – All Penn Waste routes are running on schedule today. For any areas that we are unable to collect due to road conditions, we will accept double the limit on your next regularly scheduled collection day. We appreciate your understanding.
Monday 12/31/18 – All Penn Waste routes for New Year’s Eve may be starting early in order to ensure our trucks are off the road early. We appreciate your understanding.
Reminder: All Tuesday through Friday routes will be delayed by one day. Please visit our blog post for New Year’s Day by clicking here.
We wish all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
New Year’s Day Collection Schedule: Tuesday, January 1st, 2019
Due to the New Year’s Day holiday, all Penn Waste routes will be delayed one (1) day. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday. Wednesday customers will be collected on Thursday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
Best wishes from the Penn Waste team for a safe and Happy New Year!
Monday 12/24/18 – All Penn Waste routes for Christmas Eve may be starting early in order to allow our employees to spend the evening with their families. York Township collections will begin at 5:00 AM. We appreciate your understanding.
Reminder: All Tuesday through Friday routes will be delayed by one day. Please visit our blog post for the Christmas Day Holiday by clicking here.
We wish all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Christmas Day Collection Schedule: Tuesday, December 25th, 2018
Due to the Christmas Day holiday, all Penn Waste routes will be delayed one (1) day. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday. Wednesday customers will be collected on Thursday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
Best wishes from the Penn Waste team for a safe and joyous Holiday Season!
We are excited to announce Pennsylvania joins 21 other states who have passed Slow Down to Get Around laws. The new Slow Down to Get Around provision was passed unanimously by the Pennsylvania General Assembly and signed into law October 19, 2018 as part of Act 83 of 2018. The law requires motorists approaching and passing a stationary solid waste collection vehicle to reduce and maintain a safe speed for weather, road conditions and traffic in order to proceed with due care and caution. The law also provides for the use and display of yellow strobe lights that can be seen by traffic in both directions.
Waste and recycling collection continues to be one of the top five most dangerous jobs in America. Please remember to Slow Down Before You Go Around to ensure the safety of our team members.
Thank you to PWIA for helping to get this important legislation passed.
Just in time for the holidays, Penn Waste is releasing our annual “Naughty List” of all of things you should NOT place in your recycle bin this season. Check out the image below to learn more!
Thanksgiving Holiday Collection Schedule: Thursday November 22nd, 2018
Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, all Residential Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Thursday customers will be collected on Friday. Friday customers will be collected on Saturday. All collections on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be collected on the regularly scheduled day.
Special Note:
Manchester Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday 12/1/18 due to the holiday.
York Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday 12/1/18 due to the holiday.
Want to stay up to date on our recycling tips and collection updates? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
We wish all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Friday, 11/16/18- All Penn Waste collection routes are operating today. Any routes that are not completed from today or Thursday will be run on Saturday, 11/17/18. For areas that are not accessible, we will accept double on the next regular collection day.
Thursday November 15, 2018 – 3:30 PM – Penn Waste collection routes have been cancelled for the remainder of today. We were able to complete a majority of our routes. For the areas we were unable to finish, we plan to complete by Friday, 11/16/18. If we cannot, we will finish on Saturday, 11/17/18. Thank you for your understanding.
You’ve probably heard that the recycling markets have been volatile over the past year. It is no secret that recycling is a growing, global industry that affects everyone in some way. From oil prices to international policies to consumer habits, the market remains complex and dynamic.
Unfortunately, mixed messages and unclear guidelines over the past 20 to 30 years have made the process of recycling cumbersome and downright painful for some. In an effort to remain a good steward of the environment, we at Penn Waste, Inc. wanted to debunk five common recycling myths.
Myth #1
Every waste hauler accepts the same recyclables.
Most companies will take the same basic materials such as cardboard and plastic bottles. However, each waste hauler tends to abide by their own recycling guidelines. From a waste hauler’s perspective, we want to offer our customers the most comprehensive list of acceptable items that can be recycled.
In some cases, markets for items that were once “standards” simply vanish due to mill closures, increased cost to process the materials, etc. If it becomes apparent that it’s time to discontinue accepting a particular item, we will issue new guidelines as soon as possible so everyone will have the most up-to-date information.
Myth #2
I don’t need to recycle because it’s just going into the trash anyway.
In 2015, Penn Waste, Inc. opened our newest recycling center. The 96,000-square-foot facility is home to a series of innovative and state-of-the art machines that assist our staff in properly and efficiently sorting the material that we receive each day. Every effort is made to capture as much viable material as possible. Our goal is to recycle, not throw good material away.
In some cases, the material might be too soiled, too small, or it might even be something that’s not recyclable anyway. This material is sent to the York Incinerator, which is a waste-to-energy facility. While the material may not be recycled here in the traditional sense, it is ultimately recycled by becoming energy that is used to power thousands of homes in York County. Feel free to visit our website to take a virtual tour of our facility. Visit us at: https://www.pennwaste.com/recycling/recycling-facility-tour/
Myth #3
If I throw it in the recycle bin, it has to be recycled.
Contamination (AKA trash) is the largest issue we face as recyclers. Roughly 30-35 percnet of the material received each day is material that we cannot process! That’s a huge number that we are trying to combat with our “Back to Basics” campaign.
This contamination damages our equipment, harms our employees, and poses severe health risks to everyone.
Some of the material we’ve seen on a regular basis includes (but is not limited to): used diapers, clothing, Styrofoam and packing materials, plastic and metal coat hangers, plastic bags, furniture, children’s toys, etc.
One contaminant of special mention is medical waste. We have seen an abundance of medical waste come through our facility over the past 24 months. Needles (new or used), fluid bags, soiled hospital gowns, medical equipment, etc. should never be placed into a recycling container! Please dispose of medical waste and other non-recyclable items properly.
Myth #4
If it has a recycle symbol on it, it can be recycled.
The “flying arrow” as it has come to be known is found on many common items today. We recognize the symbol when we see it, and we make a conscious effort to do the right thing. However, as stated earlier, some items that display the flying arrows are simply not recyclable. Materials like Styrofoam containers, vinyl siding and plastic containers that have multiple numbers have a visible recycling symbol on them but are not recyclable.
Myth #5
If an item is not on Penn Waste’s recycling guidelines, it cannot be recycled.
If your item is not listed as acceptable on the Penn Waste recycling guidelines flyer, please do not place it into your dumpster, cart, or curbside bin for collection. However, those that are eco-conscious can likely find recycling outlets for many other items with a little detective work. Websites such as www.earth911.com, local municipal websites, and even the solid waste authority’s website will probably have alternative ways to recycle some of the materials that we cannot accept.
Recycling is an important part of everyday life. It’s up to all of us to do what we can now to protect the environment for centuries to come. We will continue to work together with the communities we support to make sure everyone has the most up-to-date recycling information.
Please visit our website www.pennwaste.com for more information. In general, we recommend consumers recycle the following clean and empty materials – corrugated cardboard, newspaper, plastic containers with numbers 1,2 and 5 on the bottom, food and beverage cartons, glass food and beverage containers, and metal food and beverage cans. Thank you for working with us to help create a green community together!
Amanda Davidson is director of marketing for Penn Waste.
(Previously printed on York Daily Record’s website)
Thursday, November 15, 2018 – Due to the impending inclement weather, Penn Waste routes will be starting early on Thursday morning in order to collect residents waste and recycling before the worst part of the storm is anticipated to hit our area. Please make sure to have your waste and recycling curbside tonight to ensure collection. We will provide any further updates on Thursday 11/15/18. Thank you for your understanding.
Monday, November 12th, 2018: All Penn Waste routes will be running on schedule for the Veterans Day Holiday.
Penn Waste would like to thank our Veterans for their service to our nation.
Monday, October 8, 2018 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule on the Columbus Day Holiday. Please place your waste and recycling curbside on your regularly scheduled collection day.
With the cooler weather of fall upon us, everyone’s breaking out their fire pits and roasting s’mores! It’s important to keep safety in mind when sitting around the fire and when the fire is done. Hot ashes can cause major safety issues for not only you, but for our employees as well.
Hot ashes and coals from fires can remain hot enough to start fires for many hours or even days after a fire is out. The amount of time it takes for hot ashes to cool depends on many factors, some of which include how hot the fire was, what was burning, how much un-burned fuel remains if fuel was used, etc. Please keep all of these factors in mind when disposing of hot ashes.
In order to properly dispose of the hot ashes, here are some tips to keep in mind:
If possible, allow ashes to cool in the area where you had the fire for several days. These areas are designed to contain their heat safely.
When it is time to dispose of ashes, test to ensure the hot ashes are cool by placing them in a cardboard box or paper bag before disposal. In this situation, never leave these ashes unattended until they are cool enough for disposal. If the ashes are too hot, they will begin to burn through the box or bag.
DO NOT dispose of hot ashes with yard waste material. By placing ashes with yard waste, such as tree trimmings and leaves, the potential for fires increase substantially.
Please keep these tips in mind when disposing of ashes this fall.
Monday, September 3rd, 2018: Due to the Labor Day Holiday, all Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day for the entire week. Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday, Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
To stay up to date on recycling tips and collection updates, consider following us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have not already done so, consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive recycling suggestions and collection updates directly to your e-mail inbox.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
As summer comes to an end, Penn Waste would like to remind everyone that pool chemicals should not be disposed of in your trash or recycling.
Chemicals such as chlorine, muriatic acid, and sulfuric acid are used to balance and disinfect pools, while other chemicals are used to “shock” the pool. These chemicals are extremely combustible and can cause fires in the back of our trucks, putting our employees’ safety at risk.
Here are a couple suggestions on how to properly dispose of pool chemicals:
Check with the store you bought your pool chemicals to see if they have any suggestions
Donate extra pool chemicals to local pools around the area
Check with your local Solid Waste Authority to see if they accept pool chemicals
Check with your neighbors who have pools to see if they can use them.
“I would like to make it clear that what has been written about Penn Waste trying to renegotiate existing municipal contracts is completely false. Penn Waste has not approached any existing municipal customers about renegotiating their contracts and we do not have plans of doing so.
The statement regarding our municipal contracts made by our spokeswoman back in May was an idea that had been floated when the initial recycling markets collapsed. While that idea had been proposed, it never went into effect.
Penn Waste did impose a sustainability fee on our commercial customers in June in response to the recycling markets collapsing, the on-going skilled labor crisis, rising insurance costs, and rising steel prices. Our customers were notified in advance and given the opportunity to contact us with any concerns.
It is not common practice for Penn Waste to respond to every rumor that is published in the media but this one is completely false.
Penn Waste would appreciate the professional courtesy of a reporter reaching out to verify if something is accurate prior to their printing it the next time a news story references our company.”
-Ed Ward, General Manager of Penn Waste
Effective July 1, 2018, Penn Waste is implementing new recycle guidelines. The new recycle guidelines are a result of the current recycling crisis created by China. Back in the fall, the largest buyer of recyclable material in the world, China, set unachievable contamination limits on the recyclable material they receive resulting in the recycling markets crashing. Previously, bales were allowed to have around 5% contamination in them which equates to 92lbs of contamination in a 1,850lb paper bale . At the beginning of 2018, China imposed a 0.5% contamination limit on imported recyclables from any country which equates to only 9lbs of contamination in a 1,850lb bale of paper. This is an impossible level of contamination for recycling companies to achieve.
Subsequently, Penn Waste has taken a “Back to Basics” approach in an attempt to try and meet the new contamination limits. Please see below for our new recycle guidelines.
If it is not listed below, do not place it in your recycle bin.
Wednesday, July 4, 2018: Due to the 4th of July Holiday, all residential Penn Waste collections will be delayed one (1) day. Wednesday customers will be collected on Thursday. Thursday customers will be collected on Friday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
To stay up to date on recycling tips and collection updates, consider following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
If you have not already done so, consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive recycling suggestions and collection updates directly to your e-mail inbox.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Written by Rachel McDevitt | WITF News, Jun 14, 2018 6:51 PM
(Harrisburg) — The cost of recycling will likely go up for many midstate communities over the next few years.
A change of standards in China is causing recycling processors in the U.S. to recalculate.
China is the largest importer of U.S. recyclables. At the beginning of this year, the country enacted a ban on some materials and strictly limited the contamination allowed in shipments of others, from five percent to half a percent.
That’s driving up costs for processors like Penn Waste, which collects recycling from 70 municipalities in the region.
Marketing director Amanda Davidson said 35 percent of the material they collect as recycling is garbage that then needs to be disposed of.
A big problem is “hopeful recycling,” which means people will put things in recycling bins they want to be recyclable but should really be thrown out.
“So diapers, car parts, hoses, electrical cords, medical waste, clothing, mattresses. We’ve gotten deer carcasses. Deer season is a horrible time of year at our recycle center,” Davidson said as she gave examples.
She said now there’s added pressure to get these sometimes-hazardous items out of the waste stream.
Penn Waste has been investing in labor and equipment to reduce contamination.
The company is now charging a sustainability fee for commercial and private subscription customers.
Davidson said they are approaching municipalities now to see if they can renegotiate waste contracts to add a sustainability fee.
“Even if we don’t get a small increase now, everyone’s going to see a large increase later to make up for the impact that the recycling crisis is having,” she said.
The company plans to release new guidelines next month that should make it easier for customers to understand what’s recyclable and what’s not.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Amanda Davidson
Director of Marketing
PENN WASTE, INC. EXEMPLIFIES COMMITMENT TO PROPER WASTE DISPOSAL WINS SWANA 2018 EXCELLENCE AWARD
York, PA (June 4, 2018) –The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) announced yesterday that Penn Waste, Inc. has been named the winner of the SWANA Silver Excellence Award in the Recycle Systems category. The award will be presented at SWANA’s annual conference, WASTECON®, on Wednesday, August 22, 2018, at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee.
Penn Waste, Inc.is receiving the award for its York, Pennsylvania, 45-tph single stream system retrofit.
“We continue to invest in technology to boost throughput, recovery and purity,” said Amanda Davidson, director of marketing. “The complete retrofit took only 9 days. The results have led us to continue to expand our reach in what have become turbulent market conditions.”
The winning entry can be found on SWANA’s website in August.
SWANA’s Excellence Awards Program recognizes outstanding solid waste programs and facilities that advance the practice of environmentally and economically sound solid waste management through their commitment to utilizing effective technologies and processes in system design and operations, advancing worker and community health and safety, and implementing successful public education and outreach programs. Programs also must demonstrate that they are fiscally and environmentally responsible through their compliance with all applicable federal, state and local regulations.
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About Penn Waste, Inc.
Founded in 2000 by Scott Wagner, Penn Waste is South Central PA’s premier choice for residential and commercial waste removal and recycling services. A locally owned and operated company, Penn Waste is committed to improving the communities we serve throughout the counties of York, Lancaster, Adams, Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry. For more information, visit www.PennWaste.com
About SWANA:
For more than 50 years, the Solid Waste Association of North America has been the leading professional association in the solid waste field. The association serves more than 10,000 members throughout North America, and thousands more with conferences, certifications, publications and technical training courses.
Monday, May 28, 2018: Due to the Memorial Day Holiday, all Residential Penn Waste collections will be delayed one (1) day. Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
Special Note:
Camp Hill Borough: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday 6/9/18 due to the holiday.
Carroll Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday 6/9/18 due to the holiday.
East Pennsboro Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday 6/9/18 due to the holiday.
Fairview Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday 6/9/18 due to the holiday.
To stay up to date on recycling tips and collection updates, consider following us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have not already done so, consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive recycling suggestions and collection updates directly to your e-mail inbox.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
In preparation for Earth Day on Sunday, April 22nd, we feel it’s important to update our customers on some catastrophic changes that are severely impacting the recycling industry.
Chinese Restrictions on Imports Creating Recycling Industry Crisis
The United States generates more recyclable material than any other country in the world and China is the world’s largest buyer of recyclable material. The Chinese government recently imposed new rules severely restricting the levels of contamination allowed in the recyclable material they accept. These changes have had catastrophic consequences on the US recycling industry.
What is contamination?
Contamination is any non-recyclable item (aka trash) that gets mixed into a bale of recyclable material. When bales of recyclables arrive in China, they are cut open and sorted through. Items such as plastic bags, clothing, medical waste, Christmas lights and any other non-recyclable items are considered “contamination.”
Previously, bales were allowed to have around 5% contamination in them, or 92 lbs of trash, in a 1,850 lb bale of recycled paper. Beginning in 2018, China changed those restrictions to a 0.5% contamination rate, or 9lbs of trash in a 1,850 lb bale of recycled paper. This is an unrealistic number that recycling companies cannot meet.
The Good News
Many of our customers are enthusiastic recyclers and want to make sure they’re doing it properly. Recycling continues to be the future of the waste industry but it will come at a cost if there is no market for recyclable material. We need our customers’ help in making sure they’re not throwing trash in with their recycling so that we can try to meet China’s new contamination limits.
How Can You Help?
We encourage all of our customers to do the following:
Do not throw items in the recycle bin unless you know for sure it is recyclable. When In Doubt, Throw It Out!
Make sure you properly sort your materials, making sure that wet, non-recyclable items are tossed in the garbage.
Stay tuned for more updates about the recycling crisis over the next few weeks.
Monday, 4/2/18- All Penn Waste routes are operating on schedule today.
Sunday, April 1st, 2018 – Penn Waste routes will not be affected by the Easter Holiday. Please place all waste and recycling curbside on your regularly scheduled collection day next week.
Thank you and have a happy holiday!
Friday, March 30, 2018 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule on the Good Friday holiday. Please place your waste and recycling curbside on your regularly scheduled collection day.
Due to the inclement weather this week, Penn Waste has cancelled routes on Wednesday 3/21 and Thursday 3/22. Routes operated on Tuesday 3/20 at an earlier time than normal. Due to the timing of the storm, some residents may not have been collected on Tuesday’s routes.
For any residential customers that were not collected due to the snow this week, we will accept double the regular volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day. This may be placed out in bags next to your containers.
Please disregard any previous message regarding running on a holiday schedule. Due to the weather, we had to revise our initial plan of running on a holiday schedule.
For the remainder of the week, we will be back on schedule. Friday routes will be collected on Friday. When multiple days are cancelled, we cannot complete all of our routes by the end of the day Saturday. We are not permitted to operate on Sundays by law.
Any yard waste collections scheduled for this Saturday 3/24 are also cancelled.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Thursday, March 22, 2018 – Due to the inclement weather, Penn Waste routes will not be operating on Thursday. For Wednesday and Thursday customers, we will accept double your normal volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
Wednesday, March 21, 2018 – Due to inclement weather all Penn Waste routes are now cancelled today. We will be operating on a holiday schedule for the remainder of the week. Today’s routes will be collected on Thursday. Thursday’s routes will be collected on Friday. Friday’s routes will be collected on Saturday. Please check back for additional updates later today.
Wednesday, March 21, 2018 – Due to inclement weather, at this time all Penn Waste routes will be operating on a delayed schedule. Please continue to check back for any update as the inclement weather progresses. We appreciate your understanding.
Tuesday March 20, 2018 – Due to the impending inclement weather, Penn Waste routes will start early in order to collect residents waste and recycling before the worst part of the storm hits our area. Please have your waste and recycling curbside tonight to ensure collection occurs tomorrow. We appreciate your understanding.
Wednesday March 7, 2018 – At this time, all Penn Waste routes are operating on schedule. We will continue to monitor the weather and advise of any change in schedule at that time.
Special Note:
Lancaster City and Lancaster Township – Operating on a holiday schedule for the remainder of the week.
Wednesday March 7,2018 – Due to the impending inclement weather, Penn Waste routes will start early in order to collect residents waste and recycling before the worst part of the storm hits our area. Please have your waste and recycling curbside tonight (3/6/18) to ensure collection occurs tomorrow. We will be providing further update later this afternoon. We appreciate your understanding.
As part of our initiative to keep a safe work environment for our employees, please watch the video below for more information on how to properly dispose of medical waste.
Monday, February 19, 2018 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule for the President’s Day Holiday. Please place your trash and recycling curbside on your regular collection day.
Wednesday, February 7, 2018 – Due to inclement weather, all routes are cancelled on Wednesday. Penn Waste will be operating on a holiday schedule for the remainder of the week. Wednesday customers will be collected on Thursday. Thursday customers will be collected on Friday. Friday customers will be collected on Saturday.
Thank you for working with us so we can effectively collect your trash and recycling while maintaining the safety of our employees.
Monday, February 5, 2018 – All Penn Waste routes are operating today. Due to icy road conditions, we may not be able to collect all properties. For any properties that we are unable to collect, we will accept double the normal volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day. We appreciate your understanding.
Tuesday, January 30, 2018 – All Penn Waste routes are operating today. Due to weather affecting road conditions, we may not be able to collect all properties. For any properties that we are not able to collect, we will accept double the normal volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
Wednesday, January 17, 2018 – All Penn Waste routes are operating today. Due to weather affecting road conditions, we may not be able to collect all properties. For any properties that we are not able to collect, we will accept double the normal volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
Tuesday, January 16, 2018 – All Penn Waste routes are operating today. Due to weather affecting road conditions, we may not be able to collect all properties. For any properties that we are not able to collect, we will accept double the normal volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
Monday, January 15, 2018 – All Penn Waste will be operating on schedule on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Please place your trash and recycling curbside on your regular collection day.
Friday, January 05, 2018 and Saturday, January 06, 2018 – All Penn Waste routes are operating today and tomorrow. Due to inclement weather affecting road conditions, we may not be able to collect all properties. For any properties that we are not able to collect, we will accept double the normal volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day. We will be making our best effort to collect all properties. We appreciate your understanding.
Thursday, January 04, 2018 – All Penn Waste routes are operating today. Due to inclement weather affecting road conditions, we may not be able to collect all properties. For any properties that we are not able to collect, we will accept double the normal volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
Saturday, 12/30/17- All Penn Waste routes are running on schedule today. If there are areas we cannot access due to road conditions, we will accept double the normal volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
New Year’s Day Collection Schedule: Monday, January 1st, 2018
Due to the New Year’s Day holiday, all Penn Waste routes will be delayed one (1) day. Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
Best wishes from the Penn Waste team for a safe and Happy New Year!
Christmas Day Collection Schedule: Monday, December 25th, 2017
Due to the Christmas Day holiday, all Penn Waste routes will be delayed one (1) day. Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
Best wishes from the Penn Waste team for a safe and joyous Holiday Season!
During this busy time of year, we’d like to remind all of our customers which items fall on Penn Waste’s “Naughty List” and should NOT be placed in your recycling bin.
Check out our most recent video below:
The following items are NOT accepted at our recycling facility:
Plastic Packing Materials & Styrofoam – Plastic air pillows, bubble wrap, foam peanuts, and Styrofoam are not items that we accept at our recycle center. Either reuse them or place them in your trash.
Plastic Bags – Plastic bags are not acceptable at our recycle center. These get wrapped around our equipment and someone must manually cut off each one. Do NOT place these in the recycle bin. You can either check with a local grocery store to see if they recycle plastic bags or we encourage you to just reuse them.
Clothing – Clothing is not an item we accept at our recycle center. There are many local non-profits who accept used clothing and would appreciate your donations. We suggest checking with Lifepath Christian Ministries, the Salvation Army, your local Goodwill or Purple Heart to name a few.
Christmas Lights – Christmas lights are not recyclable. They get wrapped around our equipment causing major issues for us. Please make sure you place them in your trash.
In 2017, Penn Waste took the initiative to invest in Single Operator Vehicles – or “SOVs” as we like to call them- adding 16 SOVs to our fleet.
The SOVs are used in residential neighborhoods to collect trash and recycling.
They are solely operated by one employee – the driver.
Safety is the #1 priority for Penn Waste so investing in these vehicles was a no-brainer.
The SOVs do not require a loader to ride on the back of the truck so there is no risk of injury or dealing with inclement weather conditions.
In addition, the SOVs make the collection process more efficient so we can get your trash and recycling picked up faster – IF YOUR CARTS ARE PROPERLY PLACED AT THE CURB.
The SOVs have a mechanical arm that comes out, lifts up your cart, and empties it into the truck.
There are 4 important points for you to remember to make sure the SOV is able to safely access your cart:
1. Make sure your cart opening is facing the ROAD. This ensures all recyclables are emptied from your recycling cart.
2. The cart needs to be placed 3 feet away from any other object on either side. This ensures accessibility and decreases the risk of property damage.
3. All recyclables go in the same recycling bin. You do not need to separate your recyclables.
4. Don’t stuff your recycling container full. If you shove cardboard into your recycle bin, we will have trouble getting it back out. If you have additional cardboard that won’t fit in your recycle bin, just bundle it with some twine and sit it beside your recycle cart.
Please take a moment to watch this educational video regarding proper cart placement.
Thanksgiving Holiday Collection Schedule: Thursday November 23rd, 2017
Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, all Residential Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Thursday customers will be collected on Friday. Friday customers will be collected on Saturday. All collections on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be collected on the regularly scheduled day.
Special Note:
Manchester Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday 12/2/17 due to the holiday.
York Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday 12/2/17 due to the holiday.
Want to stay up to date on our recycling tips and collection updates? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
We wish all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Over the past few months, Penn Waste employees have seen an increased volume of household hazardous waste in our waste and recycling collections. Household hazardous waste can encompass many different materials that you may have sitting in your garage, your kitchen or anywhere else in your house. In this post, we are going to focus on three different materials, and give you some tips for proper disposal of these materials.
We will be focusing on Batteries, more specifically rechargeable batteries, Pool Chemicals, Live Ammunition and Hot Ashes. All of these materials should be handled with discretion and not disposed of in your regular trash (unless noted below) or recyclable collections.
Monday, October 9th, 2017: All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule on the Columbus Day Holiday.
To stay up to date, be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
York County residents may partake in the York County Solid Waste Authority’s free Residential Electronics Recycling Program. Beginning October 2, the program will relocate to the Small Load Drop-off Facility at the York County Resource Recovery Center. Electronics will be accepted Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm and on Saturday from 8 am to Noon.
Residents should enter the York County Resource Recovery Center located at 2651 Blackbridge Road, and proceed toward the scales. A worker will confirm delivery of electronics only and provide a placard to the resident enabling free delivery. Residents will then follow “Public Drop-off” signs to the Small Load Drop-off Facility. Please show the electronics placard to the Small Load Drop-off Facility attendant who will direct residents to the electronics off-load area. After the electronics have been unloaded, residents will be directed to the designated exit for the Resource Recovery Center where the placards will be returned.
Monday, September 4th, 2017: Due to the Labor Day Holiday, all Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day for the entire week. Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday, Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
To stay up to date on recycling tips and collection updates, consider following us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have not already done so, consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive recycling suggestions and collection updates directly to your e-mail inbox.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Tuesday, July 4, 2017: Due to the 4th of July Holiday, all residential Penn Waste collections will be delayed one (1) day. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday. Wednesday customers will be collected on Thursday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
ATTENTION FAWN GROVE BOROUGH RESIDENTS – Due to the July 4th Holiday and parade on Saturday, July 8, 2017, Borough Residents are asked to have their recyclables curbside by 6:00 a.m. for pickup.
To stay up to date on recycling tips and collection updates, consider following us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have not already done so, consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive recycling suggestions and collection updates directly to your e-mail inbox.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
It’s almost time for America to celebrate its independence. With this holiday, barbecues and picnics come to mind. You may not have realized that many of the items that you use when you have a barbecue or picnic are recyclable. Continue reading to learn more about what you should be tossing in your recycle bin on your next gathering. (more…)
Monday, May 29, 2017: Due to the Memorial Day Holiday, all Residential Penn Waste collections will be delayed one (1) day. Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
To stay up to date on recycling tips and collection updates, consider following us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you have not already done so, consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive recycling suggestions and collection updates directly to your e-mail inbox.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Earth Day is a day that is meant to highlight all of the initiatives and efforts in place to make our Earth a better place. It is meant to raise awareness for all of these different efforts and these efforts should become a part of our daily routine. Penn Waste focuses on recycling every day of the year. In order to remind you of the different materials that you may recycle, please take a look at our Know Before You Throw piece. Consider downloading the PDF file and printing it off for display around your recycling bin.
We wish all of our customers a Happy Earth Day!
Friday, April 14, 2017: All Penn Waste routes will be running on schedule on Good Friday.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a Happy Easter holiday.
To stay up to date, be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
As part of our core values at Penn Waste, we are committed to giving back to the communities we service. This month we’re highlighting two organizations Penn Waste supports – Salem Square Library and the Salvation Army.
In addition, Penn Waste teamed up with the Salvation Army to be a Lunch Sponsor for their Annual “Boots & Bags” luncheon. The event features a silent auction, fashion show, and lots of other fun activities on Friday, May 5, 2017. If you’re interested in attending the event, please click on the following link – http://salvationarmyphiladelphia.org/York_BootsBags/
Cardboard comes in all shapes and sizes. Penn Waste accepts all cardboard of any size and quantity.
Most people think of shipping boxes when they hear the word “cardboard,” however cardboard is so much more than just boxes.
Cardboard found on the inside of paper towel and toilet paper rolls is recyclable. The cardboard packaging that your garbage bags come in is recyclable. The cardboard from your tissue boxes is recyclable. To sum it up, if it is cardboard, it is recyclable.
We ask our customers to keep in mind three easy steps when it comes time to recycle your cardboard.
Remove all packaging inside the box (such as packing peanuts, bubble wrap, etc).
Flatten ALL boxes. If your box does not fit in your recycle bin or mobile cart, please tie them together with string to prevent them from blowing away.
Check the weather. If the weather calls for high winds or rain, keep your recycling inside until the following week, if possible. Wet cardboard products are more difficult to process.
Aside from cardboard, Penn Waste accepts paperboard and paper products as part of the recyclables we collect. For example, junk mail, newspapers, magazines, newspaper inserts, and envelopes are all considered recyclables.
For a full list of what Penn Waste does and does not accept, please check out our recycle guidelines!
Thursday, March 16, 2017 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule on Thursday, March 16, 2017. For any areas that are not accessible for collection, we will accept double the normal volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
For Tuesday and Wednesday routes that were missed due to the inclement weather, we will accept double the normal volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day as well.
Please consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive emails directly in your inbox regarding collection updates and recycling tips. Our Facebook and Twitter accounts are regularly updated with similar information.
Wednesday, March 15, 2017 – Due to inclement weather, all Penn Waste routes will be cancelled on Wednesday, 3/15/17. Tuesday and Wednesday customers may place double the normal limit curbside on their next regularly scheduled collection day.
We appreciate your understanding with this.
Tuesday, March 14th, 2017 – Due to the impending inclement weather, all Penn Waste collection routes will be cancelled on Tuesday, March 14th, 2017. (more…)
In 2016, Penn Waste received over 500 pounds of medical waste at our recycling facility! This is a public safety hazard for our team members who manually sort through the recycling, putting them at risk of getting stuck by a needle.
Medical waste is defined as potentially infectious waste materials generated at health care facilities. These facilities include but are not limited to hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, dental practices, blood banks, and veterinary hospitals/clinics, as well as medical research facilities and laboratories. Also included is at home treatment materials, such as syringes and other material used for medical treatment. Whether the material is used or brand new, to eliminate any safety hazard with our employees, we recommend that these items are disposed of in the proper manner.
Medical waste needs to be properly disposed of in the TRASH. We recommend placing any used needles in a heavy plastic container (laundry detergent bottles, coffee containers, etc.). This will ensure that the needles will not stick any of our employees during collection. In order to ensure that the lid will not open, please consider taping the lid to the container. BE SURE to place these materials in your trash bag or can. This will ensure that the material will be taken to one of our waste disposal sites and not taken to our recycling facility.
Please help us keep our team members safe!
Monday, February 20th, 2017 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule for the Presidents’ Day holiday.
Please consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive emails directly in your inbox regarding collection updates and recycling tips. Our Facebook and Twitter accounts are regularly updated with similar information.
UPDATE: Thursday 2/9/17 – Due to inclement weather, all Penn Waste routes will be cancelled on Thursday, 2/9/17. We will be operating on a holiday schedule for the remainder of the week. Thursday collections will occur on Friday. Friday collections will occur on Saturday.
Safety is our top priority at Penn Waste. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation.
Want to stay up to date on holiday collections and recycling tips? Be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
Monday, January 16th, 2017: All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday.
Please consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive emails directly in your inbox regarding collection updates and recycling tips. Our Facebook and Twitter accounts are regularly updated with similar information.
Sunday, 1/1/17 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule the week of 1/2/17 for the New Year’s Day Holiday. Please place your trash and recycling curbside on your regular collection day.
Want to stay up to date on our recycling tips and collection updates? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
If you have not done so already, consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive recycling suggestions and collection updates directly to your e-mail inbox.
We wish all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Sunday, 12/25/16 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule the week of 12/26/16 for the Christmas Day Holiday. Please place your trash and recycling curbside on your regular collection day.
Want to stay up to date on our recycling tips and collection updates? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
If you have not done so already, consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive recycling suggestions and collection updates directly to your e-mail inbox.
We wish all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
12/17/16 – Due to inclement weather, Penn Waste routes will not be operating on Saturday 12/17/16. We will not be collecting Leaf Waste in Mount Joy Township, Yard Waste in West Manchester Township and Commercial Frontload and Rolloff Customers.
Mount Joy Township – Leaf Waste collection that was scheduled for Saturday, 12/17/16 will be collected on Monday, 12/19/16 for the entire township. All residents should place Leaf Waste curbside prior to 5:00 AM on Monday 12/19/16. Trash and Recycling collection will follow the normal schedule. Monday Trash & Recycle collections will occur on Monday, Tuesday collections will occur on Tuesday and Wednesday collections will occur on Wednesday.
West Manchester Township – Yard Waste Collection that was scheduled for Saturday, 12/17/16 will be collected on Saturday, 1/7/17 with the Christmas Tree Collection.
Commercial Customers – Any customers scheduled for Saturday collection will be dumped after 10:30 AM on 12/16/16.
Please consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive emails directly in your inbox regarding collection updates and recycling tips. Our Facebook and Twitter accounts are regularly updated with similar information.
Thanksgiving Holiday Collection Schedule: Thursday November 24th, 2016
Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, all Residential Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Thursday Customers will be collected on Friday. Friday customers will be collected on Saturday. All collections on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be collected on the regularly scheduled day. (more…)
Friday, November 11th, 2016: All Penn Waste routes will be running on schedule for the Veterans Day Holiday.
Penn Waste would like to thank our Veterans for their service to our nation.
Monday, October 10th, 2016: All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule on the Columbus Day Holiday.
To stay up to date, be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
Labor Day Holiday Collection Schedule: Monday, September 5th, 2016
Due to the Labor Day Holiday, all residential Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day for the entire week. Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
Special Note:
Newberry Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday, 9/17/16 due to the holiday.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Want to stay up to date on our recycling tips and collection updates? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
If you have not done so already, consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive recycling suggestions and collection updates directly to your e-mail inbox.
A new school year is upon us! And along with alarms, homework, and pop quizzes, are school supplies and packed lunches. Believe it or not, there is a way to go green as you prepare for the year ahead.
A large way in which we can go green is by reducing the amount of waste that is created. In order to reduce, remember to reuse. Many folders and binders available today are durable, and can be used for more than just one school year. This applies to pens and pencils as well.
If you find that you do need to make a new purchase, consider purchasing long lasting materials. Mechanical pencils for example, can be used indefinitely, and many are made of bio-degradable plastic barrels. Also, look for products that are made from recycled materials, these can include pencils, paper and even backpacks.
Along with reducing and reusing, comes recycling. Make a conscious effort to recycle all paper. Whether it be used notebook paper or school hand-outs, see that they find their home in the recycling bin.
Remember that reusing and recycling can apply to lunch time as well. Packing a lunch in a reusable lunch bag is always a green choice. Also, buying in bulk and packing in reusable containers rather than packing individually wrapped snacks is another way to stay green. Lastly, always remember to recycle plastic bottles, aluminum cans, cartons, and any other recyclable containers that are used during lunch time.
All of these are ways in which we can create a green community for both present and future generations.
We’re not here to settle the great debate between charcoal and gas grilling. This summer, we just want to remind you of how to properly dispose of old propane tanks, just in case your loyalty leans towards gas grilling. Although Penn Waste encourages the recycling of most metal containers, we do have an exception and that is propane tanks. Propane tanks should not be placed with either recycling or trash. This includes both large and small propane tanks, such as those used for camping stoves, torches and other small appliances and tools.
Propane tanks, even empty, pose a safety risk for our employees if they enter our recycling trucks or facilities.
Luckily, there are some alternatives for disposing of propane tanks.
You can refill your propane tank and reuse it.
You can exchange your propane tank for a new one.
You can take your old tank to a local facility which permits propane tank disposal.
AmeriGas and U-Haul are two locations that offer refill stations so that you can reuse your old tank, and Blue Rhino will allow you to exchange your old propane tank for a new one. Facilities that allow you to dispose of your old tank depend on the area in which you live.
Below are some resources for different disposal locations in our service area:
For any other questions you may have in regards to recycling and items which may or may not be accepted, please consult our recycling guidelines on our website at www.RecycleMorePA.com.
June 20 marks the first day of SUMMER and along with summer comes a wide variety of picnics and parties. Although you may not have realized it, many of the containers that hold summer’s favorite refreshments are in fact, recyclable.
Be on the lookout for these at your next gathering, making sure to have a designated area for both your trash and recyclables:
Food and beverage cartons
Metal drink cans
Plastic food and beverage containers and bottles (with numbers 1-7 listed on the bottom inside the recycle symbol)
Condiment bottles such as empty ketchup and mustard bottles
Aerosol cans such as empty sunscreen or bug spray cans
Clear, brown, blue, and green glass in the form of food and beverage containers such as condiment jars and drink bottles
Remember, caps and straws should be removed and the recyclables should be rinsed out in order to remove any residue.
Thanks to your conscious effort to recycle, these same items will become:
New Aluminum Cans
New Plastic Bottles
Plastic Buckets & Containers
Plastic Lumber
Paper Towels, Napkins & Tissues
Some other tips to consider during the summer months are to use reusable dishware. This is a green alternative to paper and plastic products. Reusable dishware is a sustainable option at both meal time as well as packing snacks on the go. This will help reduce waste. Also, instead of purchasing water bottles consider using a water filter and refilling reusable bottles. All of these are ways in which you can better the earth both today and every day.
4th of July Holiday Collection Schedule: Monday, July 4th, 2016
Due to the 4th of July Holiday, all Residential Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
Want to stay up to date on our recycling tips and collection updates? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
If you have not done so already, consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive recycling suggestions and collection updates directly to your e-mail inbox.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Topics of Q&A Session
What items can and cannot be recycled?
Recycling Best Practices
Recycling Facility – How does Penn Waste process all the recyclables, etc.
How to Participate
Log into your Facebook account at 2PM on June 23.
Make sure you are following Penn Waste on Facebook.
Go to your newsfeed. Make sure you are viewing the most recent posts, see how here.
Penn Waste’s Live Q&A should appear in your news feed.
Make sure the volume on your device is turned up.
You can ask your questions just like you would comment on a post and Penn Waste will respond live to your questions.
We are looking forward to answering all your recycling questions!
See you on June 23 @ 2PM.
Memorial Day Holiday Collection Schedule: Monday, May 30th, 2016
Due to the Memorial Day Holiday, all Residential Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
Want to stay up to date on our recycling tips and collection updates? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
If you have not done so already, consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive recycling suggestions and collection updates directly to your e-mail inbox.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday!
Penn Waste has been South Central PA’s premier choice for recycling services ever since the company was founded 16 years ago. At Penn Waste, our goal is to partner with our neighbors to create a green community together. And it’s working. Penn Waste processed more than 95,000 tons of recyclable material in 2015.
This Earth Day, we want to say a special “thank you” to our friends at Rutter’s, for all they do to promote recycling at each of their 62 stores. Rutter’s was the first convenience store to start a voluntary recycling program in 2008, making recycling bins available for customers, employees and the surrounding community.
For more information on how to recycle, where to recycle and how recycling benefits the planet, visit www.RecycleMorePA.com. We will be giving away Earth Day totes all week. Stop by any of the following Rutter’s to get yours!
Rutter’s and Penn Waste. Two local companies working together to make a big difference.
Friday, March 25th, 2016: All Penn Waste routes will be running on schedule on Good Friday.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a Happy Easter holiday.
To stay up to date, be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
Tuesday, February 16th, 2016 – All Residential Penn Waste routes are operating on a two hour delay schedule today.
Want to stay up to date on holiday collections and recycling tips? Be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
Monday, February 15th, 2016 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule for the Presidents’ Day holiday.
Please consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive emails directly in your inbox regarding collection updates and recycling tips. Our Facebook and Twitter accounts are regularly updated with similar information.
Wednesday, 2/10/16 – Due to inclement weather, all Penn Waste residential routes will be operating on a one hour delay on Wednesday, 2/10/16.
Want to stay up to date on holiday collections and recycling tips? Be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
Tuesday 2/9/16 – All Penn Waste routes are operating on schedule today. As weather conditions change, we may make changes to our collection schedule today. Please continue to check our website and blog to keep up to date with our status. We will also be sending updates out through our E-News Updates and social media.
UPDATE: Tuesday 2/9/16 4:30 PM – The majority of Penn Waste residential collection routes were serviced today with a few exceptions, Southern York County being disrupted the most due to weather and road conditions. Penn Waste will attempt to pick up all areas missed today due to the weather conditions, throughout the rest of the week, to finish by close of business on Friday. Residents that were missed in municipalities that have two time per week trash service, Penn Waste will accept double the normal volume of trash on your next regularly scheduled collection day, which is Friday, 2/12/16. Spring Garden Township and Stewartstown Borough, please leave your recycling out and Penn Waste will return as soon as possible to collect it.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to see updates on your accounts.
Friday, 1/29/16- All Penn Waste routes will be running on schedule. Areas that are not accessible, we will take double the normal volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
Special note— Stops that are collected in alleysthat are snow covered should move trash/recyclables to the front of their homes.
Reminder— Monday and Tuesday routes will not be made up this week. We will be accepting double the normal volume on the next regularly scheduled collection day.
Exceptions— Lancaster City, Mt Joy Twp. no collection this week.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
Sign up for our E-News Updates to get any collection updates delivered directly to your inbox. Be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates!
Thursday, 1/28/16- All Penn Waste routes will be running on schedule. Areas that are not accessible, we will take double the normal volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
Special note– Stops that are collected in alleysthat are snow covered should move trash/recyclables to the front of their homes.
Reminder– Monday and Tuesday routes will not be made up this week. We will be accepting double the normal volume on the next regularly scheduled collection day.
Exceptions– Lancaster City, Mt Joy Twp. no collection this week.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
Sign up for our E-News Updates to get any collection updates delivered directly to your inbox. Be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates!
Wednesday, 1/27/16 – All Penn Waste routes will be running on a 1 hour delay. For areas that are not accessible, we will take double the normal volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
Special Note – Stops that are collected in alleys should move trash/recyclables to the front of their homes as many alleys remain unplowed and unsafe for our collection vehicles.
Reminder – Monday and Tuesday routes will not be made up this week. We will be accepting double the normal volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
Exceptions – Lancaster City and Mount Joy Township, no collection this week. We will accept double the normal volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation in this matter.
Sign up for our E-News Updates to get any collection updates delivered directly to your inbox. Be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates!
Due to the excessive amount of snow, all Penn Waste collection routes are cancelled for Tuesday, 1/26/16. At this time, we are no longer operating on a holiday schedule for the remainder of the week. Monday and Tuesday collection routes have been cancelled. We will collect double the normal volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
At this time, we are planning to run Wednesday, Thursday and Friday routes for the remainder of the week.
The excessive amount of snow on roads have created very hazardous conditions for our crews. For the safety of our employees and the general public we will not be running on Tuesday.
Lancaster City Residents – Effective Monday January 25th, trash service in the City of Lancaster is suspended for the week. Service will resume on Monday February 1st. Customers may set out double the allotted amount. Please hold off on setting any large items or excess trash that does not require immediate collection; hold this for better weather, this will improve collection. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this time. This will ensure the safety of the public and our workers.
Sign up for our E-News Updates to get any collection updates delivered directly to your inbox. Be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates!
Due to inclement weather, Penn Waste routes will not be running on Monday 1/25. Penn Waste will be operating on a holiday schedule for the remainder of the week. All collections will be delayed one day through Saturday 1/30.
For areas that are not accessible due to road conditions, we will accept double the normal volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
Want to stay up to date on holiday collections and recycling tips? Be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
Due to the inclement weather we are expected to receive, Penn Waste routes will be operating slightly earlier than normal. This is in order to ensure that all collections are completed before inclement weather hits our service area.
In order to ensure that your trash and recycling is collected on Friday, please place your items curbside Thursday evening.
Winter is here and bad weather is in the forecast over the next few days. In order to prepare for the inclement weather, below are several winter reminders to ensure your safety, the safety of our employees and that your trash and recycling gets collected. (more…)
Monday, January 18th, 2016: All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday.
Please consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive emails directly in your inbox regarding collection updates and recycling tips. Our Facebook and Twitter accounts are regularly updated with similar information.
New Year’s Day Collection Schedule: Friday January 1st, 2016
Due to the New Year’s Day Holiday, all Residential Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Friday customers will be collected on Saturday. All collections on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday will be collected on the regularly scheduled day.
If you have not done so already, consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive recycling suggestions and collection updates directly to your e-mail inbox.
Best wishes from the Penn Waste team for a safe and Happy New Year!
Christmas Day Collection Schedule: Friday December 25th, 2015
Due to the Christmas Day Holiday, all Residential Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Friday customers will be collected on Saturday. All collections on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday will be collected on the regularly scheduled day.
If you have not done so already, consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive recycling suggestions and collection updates directly to your e-mail inbox.
Best wishes from the Penn Waste team for a safe and joyous Holiday Season!
Thanksgiving Holiday Collection Schedule: Thursday November 26th, 2015
Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, all Residential Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Thursday Customers will be collected on Friday. Friday customers will be collected on Saturday. All collections on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be collected on the regularly scheduled day. (more…)
Working in the Waste and Recycling Collection field annually ranks as one of the deadliest jobs in America. Many of these fatal accidents can be prevented by simply engaging in a few safe driving techniques.
Safety is our top priority at Penn Waste. In order to ensure that our employees are able to work in a safe environment, we ask drivers to follow these key tips when around any waste or recycling collection vehicle. (more…)
Tomorrow is America Recycles Day!
Penn Waste has been leading in recycling efforts since 2002. We are proud to be a part of America Recycles Day.
Football season is well underway, and along with football comes tailgating. Tailgating is a great way to get fans pumped for the game, but with that energy, trash follows. Luckily, many of the products used during tailgating are recyclable. Check out these helpful hints on how to recycle properly at your next tailgate. (more…)
With the cooler weather of fall upon us, bonfires are occurring more frequently as a way to bond with family and friends. It is important to keep safety in mind when sitting around the fire and when the fire is done. Hot ashes can cause major safety issues for not only you, but for our employees as well. Please continue reading to learn more about how to properly dispose of hot ashes and some material that can cause damage if ashes are improperly disposed of when placed curbside for trash pick-up. (more…)
Residents of Cumberland County may take part in an Electronics Recycling Drop-Off Event on Saturday, October 24, 2015. This event will start at 8:00 AM and conclude at 2:00 PM at the Carlisle Fairgrounds, located at 1000 Bryn Mawr Road, Carlisle, PA 17013.
This event is geared toward homeowners. Some items that are accepted include cable boxes, cell phones, computers, CRT monitors, DVD players, Laptops, Printers, Stereos, TVs, Video Game Consoles, and many others.
Unacceptable items include Smoke Detectors, Thermostats, Items Containing Freon (Air Conditioners, Dehumidifiers), Light Bulbs, Batteries, Medical Equipment, White Goods and others.
Everyone here at Penn Waste is proud to be included in the Central Penn Business Journal’s Top 100 Private Companies for 2015. This is the first year for Penn Waste to be included on the list. We ranked at Number 48 this year.
If you would like to read more on this ranking and how it was determined, click here. To see the complete list of companies included, click here.
Congratulations to all companies that were included on this listing. We are extremely proud to be included in this list. Penn Waste is still growing as we create a Green Community Together.
Monday, October 12th, 2015: All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule on the Columbus Day Holiday.
To stay up to date, be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
We would like to take the time to congratulate Eric Sentz, our Chief Financial Officer, on being a finalist in Central Penn Business Journal’s Financial Executive of the Year for 2015. Every year, the Central Penn Business Journal recognizes the hard work that financial officers dedicate to their companies, industries and communities.
Eric Sentz has been with Penn Waste since 2009 and boasts a lifelong career in the waste management industry. Since 1985, Eric has held various positions in the waste industry – from financial controller to CFO at several major waste management companies. Please join us in celebrating Eric’s great accomplishment.
When our new recycling facility opened earlier this year, we began taking more material. While the recycling capabilities have increased as technology has grown, there are still some materials that cannot be recycled in our facility. Medical waste and needles have been appearing more often in our recycling stream over the past few months. These items are a serious health hazard to our employees and the public. Do not place these items in your recycling bin. (more…)
With Labor Day just around the corner, ever wonder how you could do more to create a green community while hosting guests for a barbecue or picnic? You may not realize that a lot of the containers for the products you use for these types of events are recyclable and should be placed in your recycling bin. Aside from recycling, there are other ways to make your cookout more eco-friendly, such as reusing utensils and plates. If you are interested in learning more about what you can do to make your next picnic a green event, keep reading. (more…)
Labor Day Holiday Collection Schedule: Monday, September 7th, 2015
Due to the Labor Day Holiday, all residential Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day for the entire week. Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
Special Note:
Newberry Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday, 9/19/15 due to the holiday.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday.
If you have not done so already, consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive recycling suggestions and collection updates directly to your e-mail inbox.
Did you know that propane tanks, regardless of size, should not be placed in your recycling bin? While the tank is metal, placing them in your recycling bin causes issues for our recycling center. Both larger propane tanks, as used for grilling, and smaller propane tanks, as used for camping stoves and some lighting, may not be placed with your trash. Now what do you do with your old propane tank? Keep reading for more details. (more…)
Items such as light bulbs, candle holders, glassware, mirrors, windows, and other non-recyclable glass products can be a serious safety hazard to our Penn Waste team if not disposed of properly!
Please help us keep the Penn Waste team safe by doing the following:
Broken glass such as shattered light bulbs or a broken vase should be placed INSIDE of a paper bag or cardboard box ( a cereal box or snack bar box) prior to placing in your garbage bags. By doing this, there is less risk of the broken glass breaking through your plastic garbage bag and injuring our team members.
If you have a large piece of broken glass such as a mirror — place tape over the part of the glass that is broken so the sharp edge does not injure our team members. (Don’t forget — the maximum glass size we allow is 3 ft. x 6 ft.)
If you are disposing of a mirror or window please place tape across the material to help contain the broken pieces.
Safety is our #1 priority at Penn Waste — thank you for partnering with us to keep our team members safe!
Not sure what is recyclable and what should be tossed in your trash? Please check out our recycling guidelines here!
Saturday, July 4th, 2015: All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule during the Fourth of July Holiday. Please place your trash and recycling curbside for your regular collection day.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday.
Want to stay up to date on our recycling tips and collection updates? Be sure to follow our Facebook and Twitter pages. Please check us out on Pinterest for these updates as well.
If you have not done so already, consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive recycling suggestions and collection updates directly to your e-mail inbox.
Want to see our new recycle facility? We have created a tour of our new Material Recovery Facility so all of our customers can see what happens to their recyclables once it comes to our facility. Please check out the tour below.
Be sure to stay up to date with all things recycling and collection updates by signing up for our E-News Updates. Consider following us on Facebook and Twitter to receive updates on your news feeds. We also use Pinterest and Google+ if you are active on those sites.
The new recycle facility will be the most progressive of its kind in south central PA
Penn Waste, a locally-owned and operated waste and recycling company, is pleased to announce the opening of our new 96,000 square foot state-of —the-art recycling facility in Manchester, PA. The new center expanded Penn Waste’s recycling capabilities, cementing Penn Waste’s position as a cutting-edge leader in the waste and recycle industry in Pennsylvania. The new recycling facility is one of the largest in the nation. (more…)
Did you know that by law, Penn Waste is not allowed to collect your electronic waste that you place at the curb? As of January 24, 2013, Penn Waste has not collected any electronic waste that may have been placed out for collection.
The law that mandates this is the Covered Devices Recycling Act. This act prohibits residents and businesses from placing their electronic waste at the curb or in their trash.
We are excited to announce Penn Waste is the recipient of the 2015 Governor’s Impact Award for Community Impact in the South Central Pennsylvania region. A community’s success is dependent upon everyone working together — businesses, local governments, and individuals — to ensure a prosperous economy for all.
The Penn Waste Team is committed to providing you with the best customer service. Rising before dawn to pick up your trash and recyclables, ensuring your neighborhoods are clean. (more…)
Residential Customers: Due to the Memorial Day Holiday, all regular Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday; Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday, and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday.
Want to stay up to date on our recycling tips and collection updates? Be sure to follow our Facebook and Twitter pages. We also are using our Pinterest and Google+ pages to get these tips to our customers.
If you have not done so already, please consider signing up for our E-News Updates to receive recycling suggestions and collection updates directly in your e-mail inbox.
Now that spring is here, you may have needed to mow your lawn at least once so far. Did you know that you can actually recycle your grass? It is a technique called “grasscycling”.
Grass clippings and other yard debris account for a large percentage of solid waste in landfills. Although we do not utilize any landfills, we encourage customers to divert as much solid waste as possible from the waste stream. By developing practices such as grasscycling, recycling and composting, you can lower the amount of waste you place at the curb weekly. (more…)
Today is Earth Day, a day to reflect on what you are doing for the environment. Although we only celebrate Earth Day once a year, it is important to remember that you can do your part each and every day. (more…)
Harrisburg, PA — Penn Waste is being recognized for creating jobs that pay and their economic impact within the commonwealth as part of the third annual Governor’s ImPAct Awards. Awards will be presented at a ceremony at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pa. on May 21, 2015.
“We are excited to be recognized as a finalist for this award,” said Scott Wagner, President and Owner of Penn Waste. “Penn Waste is committed to giving back to the communities we service and we have 334 hard working team members who deserve the recognition for helping to keep our communities clean.” (more…)
Spring is in the air and it is time to begin the spring cleaning projects you’ve been putting off all winter. Yard work may be at the top of your priority list now that it is getting warmer out. A by-product of these outdoor projects is yard waste. Yard waste is material such as tree trimmings, shrubbery and other organic landscape vegetation. Please continue reading to learn more information on how you can dispose of this material. (more…)
Friday, April 3rd, 2015: All Penn Waste routes will be running on schedule on Good Friday.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a Happy Easter holiday.
To stay up to date, be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
All Penn Waste routes will be running early tomorrow due to inclement weather. Please place your trash and recyclables out early to ensure collection. For any issues regarding collection, please contact us at 717-767-4456.
Friday, March 6th, 2015 – All Penn Waste routes are operating on schedule today. For areas that are not accessible, we will accept double the regular volume of material on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
As we did cancel routes mid-morning on March 5, some residents may have been collected during the early morning time. Those customers that were not picked up on March 5 will be eligible to place double the normal volume curbside on the next scheduled collection day. Customers that were collected will be allowed to place the normal volume curbside.
Want to stay up to date on collection updates and recycling tips? Be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
Due to deteriorating road conditions, all Penn Waste routes will now be cancelled. For areas that were not collected, we will accept double the regular volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
As we did cancel routes mid-morning on March 5, some residents may have been collected during the early morning time. Those customers that were not picked up on March 5 will be eligible to place double the normal volume curbside on the next scheduled collection day. Customers that were collected will be allowed to place the normal volume curbside.
Want to stay up to date on collection updates and recycling tips? Be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
Thursday, March 5th, 2015 – All Penn Waste routes are running on schedule at this time. For areas that are not accessible, we will accept double the regular collection volume on the next regularly scheduled collection day.
Additional updates will be sent as weather dictates.
Want to stay up to date on collection updates and recycling tips? Be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
Below are several winter reminders to ensure your safety, the safety of our employees and that your trash and recycling gets collected. Keep reading for more information. (more…)
Tuesday February 17th, 2015: Due to inclement weather, all Penn Waste routes will be operating on a two hour delay. For areas that are not accessible due to road conditions, we will accept double the normal volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
Want to stay up to date on holiday collections and recycling tips? Be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
Monday, February 16th, 2015: All Penn Waste routes will be operating on schedule during the Presidents’ Day holiday.
To stay up to date, be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
With any new recyclable material, there may be some questions. In order to provide all of our customers with as much information as possible, we created a flyer on Frequently Asked Questions about Cartons. Topics covered include what a carton is, what are they made from and how to recycle cartons. Please keep reading for more information on carton recycling. (more…)
Monday January 26th, 2015: Due to inclement weather, all Penn Waste routes will be operating on a two hour delay.
Want to stay up to date on holiday collections and recycling tips? Be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
In anticipation of the bad weather in the forecast over the next few days, below are several winter reminders to ensure your safety, the safety of our employees and that your trash and recycling gets collected. (more…)
Monday, January 19th, 2015: All Penn Waste routes will be running on schedule during the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday.
To stay up to date, be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
Due to inclement weather, all Penn Waste routes will be operating on a two hour delay.
Want to stay up to date on holiday collections and recycling tips? Be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
Beginning January 1, 2015, Penn Waste will begin accepting cartons as part of our residential and commercial recycling programs.
At Penn Waste, we are constantly striving to come up with innovative ways to pull more materials out of the waste stream and recycle them instead. We are proud to announce the addition of cartons to our recycling program and residents can begin recycling them immediately. (more…)
New Year’s Day Holiday Collection Schedule: Thursday, January 1st, 2015
Residential Customers: Due to the New Year’s Day Holiday, all regular Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Thursday customers will be collected on Friday and Friday Customers will be collected on Saturday. All collections on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be picked up on the regularly scheduled day.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday.
Want to stay up to date on holiday collections and recycling tips? Be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
Christmas Day Holiday Collection Schedule: Thursday, December 25th, 2014
Residential Customers: Due to the Christmas Day Holiday, all regular Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Thursday customers will be collected on Friday and Friday Customers will be collected on Saturday. All collections on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be picked up on the regularly scheduled day.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday.
Want to stay up to date on holiday collections and recycling tips? Be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
Did you know that household waste increases by more than 25% from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day? During this time, shopping bags, packaging, wrapping paper, bows and ribbons all contribute to this increase in waste. Many of these items that increase during this time of year are actually recyclable. Are you doing your part to recycle these items this holiday season? Continue reading for tips to do your part this year.
With the holidays just around the corner, you may have already begun your gift purchasing conquest. Today is Cyber Monday, one of the biggest online retail days of the year. As your packages arrive, keep in mind that some of that material is recyclable. Many of the packages that arrive at your doorstep or come from a retailer may be tossed in your recycling bin. (more…)
With the holidays just around the corner, many are taking to the shops to get a head start on their gifts this year. If you are planning on holiday shopping this weekend, Penn Waste would like to remind you that Small Business Saturday is tomorrow. By patronizing local businesses you are directly support your community’s core economy. Please consider intentionally making at least one purchase at a locally owned businesses this Saturday, November 29th.
Want to find a great shop to visit? For more information on great local businesses, please check out the Buy Local Coalition!
Penn Waste routes will be completed today with a few exceptions. We will attempt to get any residences missed today on our next collection day, which will be on Friday due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. If we are unable to collect any of the exceptions on Friday, we will accept double the normal volume on the next regularly scheduled collection day.
Stay safe and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Want to stay up to date on holiday collections and recycling tips? Be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, all regular Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Thursday customers will be collected on Friday. Friday customers will be collected on Saturday. All collections on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be picked up on the regularly scheduled day.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday.
Want to stay up to date on holiday collections and recycling tips? Be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
Tuesday, November 11th, 2014: All Penn Waste routes will be running on schedule for the Veterans Day holiday.
To stay up to date, be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
Tuesday, November 4th, 2014: All Penn Waste routes will be running on schedule for Election Day.
To stay up to date, be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
When it comes to recycling, the list of acceptable materials is expanding. It may be hard to keep track of what is accepted in your curbside recycling program and what should be tossed in the trash. Regarding metals, there are many different types that are used in everyday products. Here is what you can put in your recycling bin the next time you use the entire product.
Monday, October 13th, 2014: All Penn Waste routes will be running on schedule for the Columbus Day Holiday.
To stay up to date, be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
Labor Day Holiday Collection Schedule: Monday, September 1st, 2014
Residential Customers: Due to the Labor Day Holiday, all regular Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
Special Note:
Carroll Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday, 09/13/14 due to the holiday.
City of Lancaster: Trash, Recycling and Yard Waste collection for Friday customers will be on Saturday, 09/06/14 due to the holiday.
East Pennsboro Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday, 09/13/14 due to the holiday.
Fairview Township: Yard Waste collection will be on Saturday, 09/13/14 due to the holiday.
Rye Township: All collections delayed one day. Service day for this week will be on Wednesday, 09/03/14.
Penn Waste wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday.
Want to stay up to date on holiday collections and recycling tips? Be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
Penn Waste was recently nominated to complete the Ice Bucket Challenge to Strike Out ALS. Many of our employees were more than happy to rise to the occasion. Below is a link to our video.
We nominated Eagle Disposal, KBS Trucking and Scott Wagner to complete the Ice Bucket Challenge or donate to the ALS Foundation. Penn Waste will also be making a contribution to the ALS Foundation.
For most students, school is beginning either this week or next week. Have you done your part to actively stay green when prepping for the first day of class? Here are some tips to keep in mind while you prepare for the upcoming school year. (more…)
Below, you will find a portion of the article. Be sure to keep reading! (more…)
Fourth of July Holiday Collection Schedule: Friday, July 4th, 2014
Residential Customers: Due to the Fourth of July Holiday, all regular Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Monday through Thursday customers will be collected on your normal collection day. Friday customers will be collected on Saturday. (more…)
This week, we celebrate the individuals that ensure a clean environment and sanitary living conditions, the garbage collectors. On June 17th, we celebrate Garbage Man Day, a time to show appreciation for those in the waste and recycling industry. (more…)
All day sports tournaments. Professional road warrior. Family day hike or trip to the beach. School activities immediately after work.
Do any of these descriptions sound like a normal part of your life? (more…)
Memorial Day Holiday Collection Schedule: Monday, May 26th, 2014
Residential Customers: Due to the Memorial Day Holiday, all regular Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday.
Penn Waste wishes all our customers a safe and happy holiday.
Want to stay up to date on holiday collections and recycling tips? Be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
It’s almost Memorial Day Weekend, a time for many that to take care of yard projects they have been putting off for nice weather. A by-product of this outdoor work is yard waste. Yard waste is material such as tree trimmings, shrubbery and other organic landscape vegetation. So what can you do to take dispose of this waste? Keep reading for more information. (more…)
Did you know that this week is Small Business Week? May 12th through May 16th is Small Business Week all across America. Are you doing your part to support your local small businesses? (more…)
Happy Earth Day from your friends at Penn Waste!
While today is a great day to bring awareness to all of the great green activities and strategies to sustain our planet, it is important to remember that you can do your part every day of the year.
One of the best ways to do your part every day is to recycle via your curbside recycling program. Are you recycling every last item you can? Take a moment to check your municipality’s requirements if you are not sure.
Aside from recycling, there are many other ways to do your part to positively impact the environment. Here are some tips: (more…)
Friday, April 18th, 2014: All Penn Waste routes will be running on schedule on Good Friday.
To stay up to date, be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
Penn Waste launches Mobile Website!
If you have been browsing our website on your phone recently, you may have noticed a big change: our website now has mobile functionality.
The mobile site provides increased convenience by giving you direct links to contact us via email and phone, and facilitating payment of residential bills on your phone via your mobile browser.
The mobile page allows for functionality on Apple and Android products, so be sure to take some time to explore the different sections of the mobile site!
Sign Up for Municipal Alerts
Do you want to ensure that you receive the most up to date information from Penn Waste? (more…)
When it comes to recyclable material, it is easy to be fooled by which materials are recyclable and which are not. One of the easiest types of recyclable material to cause a hang up is aluminum. Please keep reading for more information on aluminum recycling. (more…)
All Penn Waste routes will be running on schedule today. For areas that are not accessible, we will accept double the normal volume on your next regularly scheduled collection. (more…)
Here at Penn Waste we are committed to giving back to the communities that we serve. As a local company, it is important to us to give back to the communities that we service, which is why we donate time and resources to over 90 community-based charities. Please view our recent segment highlighting this effort below. (more…)
Monday, February 17th, 2014 – All Penn Waste routes will be running on schedule for the President’s Day Holiday.
To stay up to date, be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
All Penn Waste residential collection routes are operating today. Today (2/14) we are collecting Thursday’s routes and tomorrow (2/15) we will be collecting Friday’s routes. You may see or hear trucks moving into Friday collection areas today. We are attempting to collect these routes in anticipation for the potential for more snow tomorrow. Please be advised, we will be re-running in these areas tomorrow in case your house is missed. (more…)
All Penn Waste residential collection routes will be operating on a 2 hour delay today. We will be collecting Thursday route customers today. There will be areas we cannot access due to road conditions. We will accept double the normal volume on the next regularly scheduled collection day for areas that are not collected. (more…)
Due to the inclement weather, all Penn Waste residential routes have been cancelled for Thursday, February 13. Due to Penn Waste being closed Thursday, we will be following a holiday schedule for the remainder of the week. All collections that normally occur on Thursday will now be collected on Friday. Collections that normally occur on Friday will be collected on Saturday.
On Friday, February 14, All Penn Waste residential routes will be operating on a two hour delay.
All Penn Waste residential routes will be operating on a 2 hour delay on Thursday, February 13th at this point. We will evaluate the weather first thing in the morning and will provide additional updates at that time. Please look for route updates for Friday, 2/14/14 and the remainder of the week tomorrow morning.
Special Exception – Due to the Snow Emergency in Lancaster City, no collections in Lancaster City will occur on Thursday, 2/13/14.
All Penn Waste residential routes are running on schedule today. We are collecting the Wednesday route areas. There will be areas that we cannot access due to ice and tree damage, we will accept double the normal volume from these areas on your next regularly scheduled collection day. (more…)
Due to the extreme ice conditions, all Penn Waste routes have been cancelled for today, Wednesday 2/5/14.
Due to today’s cancellation of all routes, Penn Waste’s residential routes will follow the schedule listed below for the remainder of this week: (more…)
Due to the forecast for ice tomorrow morning, Penn Waste will be starting our residential routes at 7:00 AM on Wednesday, 2/5/14. Additional updates will be provided as they come in.
With all of the inclement weather that our crews have been facing on a regular basis this winter, we wanted to let our customers in on some tips to help move the process along. Collections in inclement weather will take longer and crews may begin work as early as 5 or 6 am.
UPDATE 2:00 PM: All Penn Waste routes will be done collecting today at 2:00 PM. We were able to make significant progress in our collections today. We will attempt to clean up missed areas starting Wednesday, 1/22/14. If your trash or recycling is not collected after tomorrow, we will accept double the normal volume from these areas on the next regularly scheduled collection day.
Wednesday, 1/22/14 – All Penn Waste routes will be operating on a 2 hour delay.
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Tuesday, 1/21/14- All Penn Waste collection routes are operating currently. If there are any changes due to weather conditions, you will be updated throughout the day.
Monday, January 20th, 2014: All Penn Waste routes will be running on schedule for Martin Luther King, Jr. day.
To stay up to date, be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
The Penn Waste website (www.pennwaste.com) was recently honored with a Best in Class IMA Award for exceptional website design and development. It won in the category of Environmental/Green (486 out of 500 points)
The Interactive Media Awards (IMA) recognizes the world’s best websites and digital agencies. The Best in Class Award is the IMA’s highest honor, reserved for sites which excel in five key criteria: Design, Content, Feature Functionality, Usability and Standards Compliance. (more…)
Tuesday 1/7/14 – Penn Waste routes are running today. Due to the extreme cold temperatures, certain areas may not be completed. If an area is not completed, we will accept double on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
There are many items around your house that you may not know are recyclable. Many plastics and metal containers that you may have throughout your house can be tossed in your recycle bin. To ensure that your recyclables are in the best condition, please make sure that they are clean of contaminants. Consider running water through the empty containers to ensure that they are clean. Once clean, be sure to toss them in your recycling bin. Here is this month’s Get Green tip: (more…)
Friday, 1/3/14 – Due to inclement weather, all residential Penn Waste routes will be operating on a two hour delay. For areas that are not accessible, we will accept double your normal volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day. Thank you and stay safe!
Christmas and New Year’s Day Holiday Collection Schedule: Wednesday 12/25/13 and Wednesday 01/01/14
Due to the Christmas and New Year Holidays, all regular Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Wednesday customers will be collected on Thursday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday. All collections on Monday and Tuesday will be picked up on the regularly scheduled day.
SPECIAL NOTE:
New Salem Borough: Effective 01/01/14, Penn Waste will begin servicing your borough. Your service day is changing to Wednesday. Please see service schedule notice above.
Penn Waste wishes all our customers a joyous holiday season.
Christmas is right around the corner. Only 12 days until the big day and Santa wanted us to let you know that he has a naughty and nice list for recyclables. When you are prepping for the Christmas holiday, take into account Santa’s Naughty or Nice list. (more…)
Wednesday, 12/11/13- All Penn Waste routes are on schedule today. Due to yesterday’s closing, we are operating on a one day delay for the remainder of the week. For areas that are not accessible, we will collect double the normal volume on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
Due to inclement weather, all Penn Waste routes will be operating on a two hour delay. Thank you and stay safe!
Did you know that Fedex is estimating that they will ship 85 million packages this week? On Cyber Monday alone, they expect to ship more than 22 million packages. So your package arrives and you open it to make sure all of your order is accounted for. What do you do with your cardboard box? Be sure to recycle it this year!
Here at Penn Waste, we accept any size and any quantity of cardboard. Aside from this we accept an unlimited amount of recyclables curbside. Here are some tips to ensure that you are recycling cardboard to your fullest potential: (more…)
It is officially the holiday season, and there are many items that you may not know are recyclable. In order to ensure you get all of the information, be sure to check out our recent Get Green segment for December here:
We hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday as much as we did! If you are planning on holiday shopping this weekend, Penn Waste would like to remind you that Small Business Saturday is tomorrow. By patronizing local businesses you are directly support your community’s core economy. Please consider intentionally making at least one purchase at a locally owned businesses this Saturday, November 30th.
Want to find a great shop to visit? Visit this map and begin the search for great local businesses! For more information on great local businesses, please check out the Buy Local Coalition!
It’s almost here. Thanksgiving is Thursday! Have you begun your shopping yet? If you have, did you know that there are plenty of packaging products that may be recycled? If you haven’t already completed your shopping, be sure to look out for some of the products listed below! For more information on recycling with your holiday cooking, keep reading! (more…)
Thanksgiving Day Holiday Collection Schedule
Thursday 11/28/13
RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS:
Due to the Thanksgiving Day Holiday, all regular Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Thursday customers will be collected on Friday. Friday customers will be collected on Saturday. All collections on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be picked up on the regularly scheduled day.
Penn Waste wishes all our customers a safe and happy holiday.
We are all getting ready for the big day, Thanksgiving. Whether you are just now shopping or you are planning out what you want to buy in a week or two, be sure to think about what you are going to do with the packaging of those products. There are so many of these items that are actually recyclable, and we are going to help you distinguish which ones are recyclable and which ones are not. This week we are focusing on plastics used during your holiday cooking, so keep reading for more information! (more…)
Monday, November 11th, 2013: All Penn Waste routes will be running on schedule for the Veterans Day Holiday.
To stay up to date, be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for tips on recycling and collection updates! We also send recycling tips and collection updates through email if you sign up for our E-News Update!
With the Thanksgiving holiday just around the corner, it is almost time for you to start shopping and preparing for the big day! Although everyone’s preparation and meals may vary, it is important to remember one thing that everyone can take part in: recycling! For more information on how to recycle this Thanksgiving, keep reading! (more…)
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and in order to prepare for the holidays, we are providing you with tips on recycling when you are baking and cooking. Check out November’s Get Green segment below:
When it comes to recycling metal products, your efforts are influential on the environment, and here is the proof: twenty recycled cans can be made with the energy needed to produce one can using virgin ore. By conserving precious resources and recycling the resources already in use, we can save energy. We have already covered products in your kitchen, bathroom and cleaning closet so far this month. In order to get more of the metals already in use into the recycling stream, please check out this post on metal recycling in your garage. (more…)
Did you know that making new aluminum cans from used cans takes 95 percent less energy than using virgin materials? There are so many aluminum containers that you use on a daily basis that you may not realize are actually recyclable. So far this month, we have covered aluminum and steel products in your kitchen and bathroom, now we are going to cover the aluminum and steel products you may find in your cleaning closet. Keep reading for more details! (more…)
According to the EPA, only 50.7 percent of aluminum was recycled in 2009. There is so much more that can be recycled throughout your house. This week, we are going to focus on the aluminum and steel recyclables that can be found in your bathroom. Keep reading for more information! (more…)
Due to Inclement weather, some roads in our service area are flooded and may be unreachable. Penn Waste will try to access all roadways, however if a roadway is flooded, we will collect double the allowed limit next week. Thank you and stay safe!
If you have had the opportunity to check out our recent recycling segment on TV, you may have noticed that it highlights aluminum and steel recyclables. You may not have known that so many everyday products come in aluminum or steel containers, and are recyclable. For the month of October, we are going to highlight a different room of your house each week and show you what aluminum and steel products are recyclable in these rooms. For aluminum and steel recycling in your kitchen, keep reading! (more…)
So it finally happened. Your trusted TV has finally “kicked the bucket” or maybe your old laptop’s hard drive finally gave up. Not only do you have to find some way to replace it, it is important to remember that you cannot throw these items away in your regular trash collection. Don’t worry though; there are other ways to dispose of this material. Keep reading for more information! (more…)
Have you ever looked around your office and thought: “I really need to get rid of some of this junk”? We all have had those moments when your desk appears cluttered, and in order to be more productive, it may be time to get rid of a few unnecessary items. Rather than throwing all of these items in your trash can, why not find out if they are recyclable? You may be surprised at some of the items that you have around that are actually recyclable; keep reading to find out more!(more…)
In case it slipped your mind, today is Business After Hours and we are hosting it at Penn Waste’s Corporate Office! Starting at 5 p.m. York County Economic Alliance members that have already registered for this event are welcome to come to Penn Waste and mix and mingle with the local business community. There will be hors d’oeuvres and drinks, as well as door prizes sponsored by Northwest Savings and Penn Waste!
Do you have any questions about our facilities, residential or commercial services? Although we will not be doing tours or our facilities, we will have numerous Penn Waste representatives in attendance to answer any questions you may have.
We look forward to seeing you tonight at our Corporate Office!
Did you know that Penn Waste accepts all of your recycling in one bin? If it is recyclable, you are able to put all of these items in one collection container. These items include:
Metal
Glass
Plastic
Paper, Paperboard and Cardboard
For more information on the different types of items that are recyclable, please look through our Recycle Guidelines. Included is a full list of the types of recyclable material, as well as tips to maximize your recycle bin space and how to minimize the amount of contaminated recyclables in your recycle bin.
We recently released a segment on WGAL and Fox 43 that highlights how our single stream recycling works. Please check out the video below.
For any other questions or recycling tips, please be sure to brows our website, www.pennwaste.com.
Residential Customers:
Due to the Labor Day Holiday, all regular Penn Waste trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day for the entire week. Monday customers will be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and so on for the remainder of the week through Saturday. (more…)
For some of you, it may be hard to believe, but it is time to start thinking about going back to school. With the school year fast approaching, it is time to start preparing for classes for yourself or your children. What better way to prepare than getting green with your school shopping list. We can help you prepare for the school way in a self-sustainable way by helping you pick out items that are recyclable and purchasing items that can be reused. (more…)
It’s the time of year to pack up the family and head to your vacation destination. While preparing you may bring a lot of things with you, but just toss the waste at the end of your trip. It’s important to remember that many of the things you may bring with you on your vacation are actually recyclable. Regardless of your destination, please remember to recycle during your trip. Please check out our segment that aired on Fox 43 News at 10pm! (more…)
When it comes to recycling, it is important that everyone does their part in the process. It’s also important that even if it is not collected through your curbside recycling program, there are other options to help have an impact on your community. (more…)
It’s the time of year for cookouts and family gatherings. Summer is the ideal time to gather the family and friends and enjoy each other’s company during a cookout. One thing that is important to keep in mind is recycling! There are a lot of items that you bring to cookouts that are not trash and can be placed in your recycling bin. (more…)
When it comes to recycling, it has been second nature to throw in cleaned aluminum cans in your recycling bins. Items such as food and beverage cans have routinely been tossed in the recycling bin, but there are many more products that can be recycled. (more…)
For anyone who watches the 10 o’clock news on Fox 43, you may have already viewed our recycling tips that have been running on Tuesday’s airing. Beginning in April and lasting through December, Penn Waste will be bringing you useful tips for recycling and help to Get Green. There have already been two tips that have aired, but if you weren’t able to catch them, don’t worry! They are available for you to view on our youtube page and the individual videos will be posted in the blog post below. On this page you will find many other informative videos brought to you by Penn Waste. Aside from this resource, feel free to check out our website. There is countless information located here, so be sure to take some time to look through some of it. (more…)
It’s time to get back into our review of various recycling apps for your phones and tablets. For this post we are looking at a game: Recycle Hero. This app is available on the App Store for your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. It is available for $0.99 or you can download a free version, which has ads that come on screen during game play. The app is developed by Blinker Studios and is a fun-filled way to learn more about different ways to recycle and compost. (more…)
In a digital age, the phrase “there’s an app for that” rings true for any question or interest you may have. There are thousands of apps that cater to almost every facet of our lives. Not to be left out, recycling has created a niche in the app community and these apps can appeal to all audiences. Not only are there informative apps, there are also games for kids (or adults) to play, teaching its audience what items are recyclable. Over the next few weeks, we will be taking a look at different recycling apps and will highlight some of them on this blog. Please be sure to chek back for more updates. (more…)
RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS: Due to the Thanksgiving Day Holiday, all regular Thursday and Friday trash and recycling collections will be delayed one (1) day. Thursday customers will be collected on Friday. Friday customers will be collected on Saturday. All collections on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday will be picked up on the regularly scheduled day. (more…)
Starting January 24, 2013, residents and businesses may no longer place their electronic waste out at the curb or throw it in their trash. Due to the Covered Devices Recycling Act, Penn Waste will not be allowed to collect your electronic waste. (more…)
Cardboard comes in all shapes and sizes. We ask all of our customers to please flatten and bundle their cardboard before sitting it out for our team members to collect. (more…)
Now that Independence Day is over, many of you will be looking forward to spending another one of summer’s gorgeous days outside. Whether you will be barbequing with your friends or picnicking with your family, Penn Waste would like to remind you to continue to do your part in keeping our environment clean and beautiful. Here are some helpful tips on how to keep your next picnic environmentally friendly. (more…)
Did you know? The average American produces 1,609 pounds of trash per year.
Unfortunately, most of this is sent to landfills, incinerated, or otherwise improperly disposed of. This causes damage to the environment in which we live. Out of sight, out of mind does not apply to our waste. After something is thrown into the garbage, it can still have profound effects on you and your community! (more…)
We are continuing our ongoing battle to help the environment through our constant need to be an ecological, supportable, and environmentally-friendly company. But we can’t do it alone! This is why Penn Waste needs our customers’ help; so we can achieve our goal of Creating a Green Community Together! ¬Æ (more…)
Penn Waste is making a list, checking it twice, and wants their customers to know which holiday decorations and packaging are naughty or nice!
Penn Waste, a leader in the waste and recycling industries in South Central Pennsylvania which focuses on innovative, sustainable, and environmentally-friendly practices, suggests the holidays are not the time to slack off recycling. Here is a friendly reminder for everyone regarding which materials are and are not acceptable recyclables. (more…)
“Buying locally” used to be a trendy catch phrase that caught on during the same time the “green initiative” became popular. Fortunately, buying locally is no longer just a feel-good matter. It offers communities a chance to come together and support each other for the common good. (more…)
Tis’ the season for burning fires! Now that fall is here and the cooler air is rolling in, many people are heading outdoors to sit around a camp fire or their fire pit. Penn Waste would like to remind everyone to please make sure there are NO hot ashes going into your trash! This is a hazard to our employees and everyone around our trucks. Ashes that are still hot can cause an entire trash load to go up in flames. This causes our drivers to risk their lives while attempting to discard their garabage load in the middle of the street or a parking lot so the entire truck does not catch on fire. (more…)
At Penn Waste, our number one priority is always safety. Since we’re currently experiencing one of the worst floods the South Central Pennsylvania region has seen in a while, we think it would be appropriate to review some safety tips for dealing with floods. (more…)
Anyone who has ever mowed a lawn knows how much of a pain it is to bag grass clippings. We convince ourselves that our lawn looks more pristine without the dead clippings lying on top and that our lawn will be healthier if we take the extra time to bag the grass. We spend countless hours lugging around a renewable resource that could just as easily be recycled rather than wasted. (more…)
Warmer weather is right around the corner. We’re just as excited as you are! During this time, many people like to do some spring cleaning. We’ve compiled a list of resources for you to check out before you place everything in the trash.
Many items can be recycled, reused, or donated to a local non-profit. More dangerous items, such as household hazardous waste items, pose a serious safety risk for our employees so you cannot place them in your curbside trash and recycling bins.
Please review the below tips and follow your own municipality’s guidelines when spring cleaning. Click here to view our Municipality Resource Page and select your municipality for more specific information regarding your guidelines.
Items You Can Recycle
Penn Waste accepts the following items through your curbside recycling program:
Clean and empty plastic bottles and containers with #s 1, 2 and 5 on the bottom.
Clean and empty glass bottles and jars.
Clean and empty milk cartons.
Clean and flattened cardboard.
Clean and dry newspaper.
Clean and dry steel and aluminum cans.
These are the ONLY items that should go in your curbside recycling container.
*If you live in Lancaster County, please follow Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority’s BIG 4 Recycling Guidelines.
How to Properly Dispose of Electronic Waste
In Pennsylvania, certain electronics are restricted by law from being disposed of in the trash due to the toxic metals they contain. As a result, electronic waste cannot be collected curbside by Penn Waste. Please contact your county Solid Waste Authority to see if they have a drop-off program.
Some examples of electronic waste are: computers, computer peripherals (keyboards, mouse, printer, etc.), computer monitors, and televisions.
How to Properly Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste
Household hazardous waste is considered any products that are flammable, can react, or explode under certain circumstances. For this reason, they cannot go in your curbside trash and recycling bins. We experience countless truck fires every year due to hazardous waste NOT being properly disposed of. For this reason, please contact your county Solid Waste Authority to see if they have a drop-off program.
Examples of household hazardous waste are: Driveway sealant, flammable materials, fluorescent bulbs, tube lights and lighting ballasts, garden chemicals, household cleaners, mercury containing devices and liquid mercury, photographic chemicals, pool chemicals, rechargeable batteries and vehicle fluids.
Appliances & Appliances Containing Freon
Appliances that do not contain Freon can be placed with your curbside trash. If the appliance does not fit in your trash container, it will be considered a bulk item. Please check your municipality resource page to see if bulk item collection is a service you have. All bulk items must be able to be lifted by two people. Items that are too heavy to be lifted by two people will not be collected.
Please call Penn Waste at 717-767-4456 to schedule removal of any appliances containing Freon. Some examples are: refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and water coolers.
Paint Cans
Empty paint cans should be placed in your bagged trash, then placed in your trash container, due to the amount of paint residue that will be on them. If you’re not sure how to dispose of your half-empty paint cans, we recommend the following:
Consider donating your paint to a community center, charity, place of worship, local theater or Habitat for Humanity ReStore. They’re often working on projects with a limited budget and could use the extra supplies.
Harden the paint by adding equal parts cat litter to the paint in the can. Stir the cat litter into the paint until it thickens and won’t spill. Allow the mixture to sit for one hour before placing in your bagged trash. ***There are weight limits on your trash container and they vary by municipality. A good rule of thumb is your trash container should never weigh more than 50 lbs. Keep this in mind since hardened paint becomes very heavy.
Clothing
Clothing should never be placed in your curbside recycling bin. The materials get wrapped around the processing equipment at our recycling facility, causing it to jam up and break. Many non-profits such as Salvation Army, Goodwill, and consignment shops accept used clothing for donation. As a last resort, clothing can be placed in your curbside trash container.
Additional Resources
If you have something else that does not fit into the above categories, we recommend checking the website Earth911.com for additional resources for disposal. You can also check with your county solid waste authority or the vendor you originally purchased the item from.
Lastly, before you throw something in the trash, take a moment to consider if there’s anyone else in your community who might be able to use what you’re about to throw away. Many non-profits accept donated household goods, clothing, appliances, furniture, and more.
Happy Spring Cleaning!
February Newsletter
Posted February 15, 2021
Appliances with Freon Require a Special Pick-Up
If you have any appliances with freon in them, please contact us via 717-767-4456 to schedule a special pick-up. Some examples of appliances with freon are: refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, air conditioners and water coolers.
Dark trash bags are strongly encouraged if you do not have a trash container or mobile cart. White trash bags are hard to see if placed in the snow. If you do use white trash bags, please make sure they’re placed on a shoveled surface that is visible from the road. We appreciate your help!
Plastic bags get wrapped around our recycling equipment and jam up the machinery. Our employees must climb into the machinery to manually remove the plastic bags that get wrapped around the equipment. For this reason, please do not place plastic bags in your curbside recycling bins!
In Our Community
Penn Waste is a proud sponsor of South Western High School’s Mini-Thon benefitting Four Diamonds. Participants of the South Western High School Mini-THON® 2021 are joining more than 90,000 students across the country to help conquer childhood cancer. If you’d like to donate or learn more, please click here.
Hazardous waste is considered pool chemicals, lithium batteries (rechargeable batteries), hot ashes, live ammunition and propane tanks.
New Recycle Guidelines
Posted July 9, 2018
Effective July 1, 2018, Penn Waste is implementing new recycle guidelines. The new recycle guidelines are a result of the current recycling crisis created by China. Back in the fall, the largest buyer of recyclable material in the world, China, set unachievable contamination limits on the recyclable material they receive resulting in the recycling markets crashing. Previously, bales were allowed to have around 5% contamination in them which equates to 92lbs of contamination in a 1,850lb paper bale . At the beginning of 2018, China imposed a 0.5% contamination limit on imported recyclables from any country which equates to only 9lbs of contamination in a 1,850lb bale of paper. This is an impossible level of contamination for recycling companies to achieve.
Subsequently, Penn Waste has taken a “Back to Basics” approach in an attempt to try and meet the new contamination limits. Please see below for our new recycle guidelines.
If it is not listed below, do not place it in your recycle bin.
Recycling Industry Crisis
Posted April 20, 2018
In preparation for Earth Day on Sunday, April 22nd, we feel it’s important to update our customers on some catastrophic changes that are severely impacting the recycling industry.
Chinese Restrictions on Imports Creating Recycling Industry Crisis
The United States generates more recyclable material than any other country in the world and China is the world’s largest buyer of recyclable material. The Chinese government recently imposed new rules severely restricting the levels of contamination allowed in the recyclable material they accept. These changes have had catastrophic consequences on the US recycling industry.
What is contamination?
Contamination is any non-recyclable item (aka trash) that gets mixed into a bale of recyclable material. When bales of recyclables arrive in China, they are cut open and sorted through. Items such as plastic bags, clothing, medical waste, Christmas lights and any other non-recyclable items are considered “contamination.”
Previously, bales were allowed to have around 5% contamination in them, or 92 lbs of trash, in a 1,850 lb bale of recycled paper. Beginning in 2018, China changed those restrictions to a 0.5% contamination rate, or 9lbs of trash in a 1,850 lb bale of recycled paper. This is an unrealistic number that recycling companies cannot meet.
The Good News
Many of our customers are enthusiastic recyclers and want to make sure they’re doing it properly. Recycling continues to be the future of the waste industry but it will come at a cost if there is no market for recyclable material. We need our customers’ help in making sure they’re not throwing trash in with their recycling so that we can try to meet China’s new contamination limits.
How Can You Help?
We encourage all of our customers to do the following:
Do not throw items in the recycle bin unless you know for sure it is recyclable. When In Doubt, Throw It Out!
Make sure you properly sort your materials, making sure that wet, non-recyclable items are tossed in the garbage.
Stay tuned for more updates about the recycling crisis over the next few weeks.
Penn Waste’s “Naughty List”
Posted December 13, 2017
During this busy time of year, we’d like to remind all of our customers which items fall on Penn Waste’s “Naughty List” and should NOT be placed in your recycling bin.
Check out our most recent video below:
The following items are NOT accepted at our recycling facility:
Plastic Packing Materials & Styrofoam – Plastic air pillows, bubble wrap, foam peanuts, and Styrofoam are not items that we accept at our recycle center. Either reuse them or place them in your trash.
Plastic Bags – Plastic bags are not acceptable at our recycle center. These get wrapped around our equipment and someone must manually cut off each one. Do NOT place these in the recycle bin. You can either check with a local grocery store to see if they recycle plastic bags or we encourage you to just reuse them.
Clothing – Clothing is not an item we accept at our recycle center. There are many local non-profits who accept used clothing and would appreciate your donations. We suggest checking with Lifepath Christian Ministries, the Salvation Army, your local Goodwill or Purple Heart to name a few.
Christmas Lights – Christmas lights are not recyclable. They get wrapped around our equipment causing major issues for us. Please make sure you place them in your trash.
York County Residents – Extended Days and Hours for Electronics Recycling
Posted September 21, 2017
York County residents may partake in the York County Solid Waste Authority’s free Residential Electronics Recycling Program. Beginning October 2, the program will relocate to the Small Load Drop-off Facility at the York County Resource Recovery Center. Electronics will be accepted Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm and on Saturday from 8 am to Noon.
Residents should enter the York County Resource Recovery Center located at 2651 Blackbridge Road, and proceed toward the scales. A worker will confirm delivery of electronics only and provide a placard to the resident enabling free delivery. Residents will then follow “Public Drop-off” signs to the Small Load Drop-off Facility. Please show the electronics placard to the Small Load Drop-off Facility attendant who will direct residents to the electronics off-load area. After the electronics have been unloaded, residents will be directed to the designated exit for the Resource Recovery Center where the placards will be returned.
It’s almost time for America to celebrate its independence. With this holiday, barbecues and picnics come to mind. You may not have realized that many of the items that you use when you have a barbecue or picnic are recyclable. Continue reading to learn more about what you should be tossing in your recycle bin on your next gathering. (more…)
Wanted: Cardboard
Posted April 7, 2017
Cardboard comes in all shapes and sizes. Penn Waste accepts all cardboard of any size and quantity.
Most people think of shipping boxes when they hear the word “cardboard,” however cardboard is so much more than just boxes.
Cardboard found on the inside of paper towel and toilet paper rolls is recyclable. The cardboard packaging that your garbage bags come in is recyclable. The cardboard from your tissue boxes is recyclable. To sum it up, if it is cardboard, it is recyclable.
We ask our customers to keep in mind three easy steps when it comes time to recycle your cardboard.
Remove all packaging inside the box (such as packing peanuts, bubble wrap, etc).
Flatten ALL boxes. If your box does not fit in your recycle bin or mobile cart, please tie them together with string to prevent them from blowing away.
Check the weather. If the weather calls for high winds or rain, keep your recycling inside until the following week, if possible. Wet cardboard products are more difficult to process.
Aside from cardboard, Penn Waste accepts paperboard and paper products as part of the recyclables we collect. For example, junk mail, newspapers, magazines, newspaper inserts, and envelopes are all considered recyclables.
For a full list of what Penn Waste does and does not accept, please check out our recycle guidelines!
Back to School Recycling
Posted August 24, 2016
A new school year is upon us! And along with alarms, homework, and pop quizzes, are school supplies and packed lunches. Believe it or not, there is a way to go green as you prepare for the year ahead.
A large way in which we can go green is by reducing the amount of waste that is created. In order to reduce, remember to reuse. Many folders and binders available today are durable, and can be used for more than just one school year. This applies to pens and pencils as well.
If you find that you do need to make a new purchase, consider purchasing long lasting materials. Mechanical pencils for example, can be used indefinitely, and many are made of bio-degradable plastic barrels. Also, look for products that are made from recycled materials, these can include pencils, paper and even backpacks.
Along with reducing and reusing, comes recycling. Make a conscious effort to recycle all paper. Whether it be used notebook paper or school hand-outs, see that they find their home in the recycling bin.
Remember that reusing and recycling can apply to lunch time as well. Packing a lunch in a reusable lunch bag is always a green choice. Also, buying in bulk and packing in reusable containers rather than packing individually wrapped snacks is another way to stay green. Lastly, always remember to recycle plastic bottles, aluminum cans, cartons, and any other recyclable containers that are used during lunch time.
All of these are ways in which we can create a green community for both present and future generations.
Are You Recycling At Your Tailgate?
Posted October 28, 2015
Football season is well underway, and along with football comes tailgating. Tailgating is a great way to get fans pumped for the game, but with that energy, trash follows. Luckily, many of the products used during tailgating are recyclable. Check out these helpful hints on how to recycle properly at your next tailgate. (more…)
Labor Day Recycling Tips
Posted September 3, 2015
With Labor Day just around the corner, ever wonder how you could do more to create a green community while hosting guests for a barbecue or picnic? You may not realize that a lot of the containers for the products you use for these types of events are recyclable and should be placed in your recycling bin. Aside from recycling, there are other ways to make your cookout more eco-friendly, such as reusing utensils and plates. If you are interested in learning more about what you can do to make your next picnic a green event, keep reading. (more…)
What do I do with my Electronic Waste?
Posted June 1, 2015
Did you know that by law, Penn Waste is not allowed to collect your electronic waste that you place at the curb? As of January 24, 2013, Penn Waste has not collected any electronic waste that may have been placed out for collection.
The law that mandates this is the Covered Devices Recycling Act. This act prohibits residents and businesses from placing their electronic waste at the curb or in their trash.
Now that spring is here, you may have needed to mow your lawn at least once so far. Did you know that you can actually recycle your grass? It is a technique called “grasscycling”.
Grass clippings and other yard debris account for a large percentage of solid waste in landfills. Although we do not utilize any landfills, we encourage customers to divert as much solid waste as possible from the waste stream. By developing practices such as grasscycling, recycling and composting, you can lower the amount of waste you place at the curb weekly. (more…)
Happy Earth Day! 2015
Posted April 22, 2015
Today is Earth Day, a day to reflect on what you are doing for the environment. Although we only celebrate Earth Day once a year, it is important to remember that you can do your part each and every day. (more…)
Yard Waste Collection Tips
Posted April 7, 2015
Spring is in the air and it is time to begin the spring cleaning projects you’ve been putting off all winter. Yard work may be at the top of your priority list now that it is getting warmer out. A by-product of these outdoor projects is yard waste. Yard waste is material such as tree trimmings, shrubbery and other organic landscape vegetation. Please continue reading to learn more information on how you can dispose of this material. (more…)
Penn Waste Now Accepts Cartons!
Posted December 31, 2014
Beginning January 1, 2015, Penn Waste will begin accepting cartons as part of our residential and commercial recycling programs.
At Penn Waste, we are constantly striving to come up with innovative ways to pull more materials out of the waste stream and recycle them instead. We are proud to announce the addition of cartons to our recycling program and residents can begin recycling them immediately. (more…)
Are You Recycling This Holiday Season?
Posted December 16, 2014
Did you know that household waste increases by more than 25% from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day? During this time, shopping bags, packaging, wrapping paper, bows and ribbons all contribute to this increase in waste. Many of these items that increase during this time of year are actually recyclable. Are you doing your part to recycle these items this holiday season? Continue reading for tips to do your part this year.
With the holidays just around the corner, you may have already begun your gift purchasing conquest. Today is Cyber Monday, one of the biggest online retail days of the year. As your packages arrive, keep in mind that some of that material is recyclable. Many of the packages that arrive at your doorstep or come from a retailer may be tossed in your recycling bin. (more…)
Stay Green While Prepping for School This Year!
Posted August 18, 2014
For most students, school is beginning either this week or next week. Have you done your part to actively stay green when prepping for the first day of class? Here are some tips to keep in mind while you prepare for the upcoming school year. (more…)
Staying Eco-Friendly On The Go
Posted June 9, 2014
All day sports tournaments. Professional road warrior. Family day hike or trip to the beach. School activities immediately after work.
Do any of these descriptions sound like a normal part of your life? (more…)
Penn Waste Mobile Website Launched
Posted April 15, 2014
Penn Waste launches Mobile Website!
If you have been browsing our website on your phone recently, you may have noticed a big change: our website now has mobile functionality.
The mobile site provides increased convenience by giving you direct links to contact us via email and phone, and facilitating payment of residential bills on your phone via your mobile browser.
The mobile page allows for functionality on Apple and Android products, so be sure to take some time to explore the different sections of the mobile site!
Sign Up for Municipal Alerts
Do you want to ensure that you receive the most up to date information from Penn Waste? (more…)
Don’t Be Fooled By Aluminum
Posted April 1, 2014
When it comes to recyclable material, it is easy to be fooled by which materials are recyclable and which are not. One of the easiest types of recyclable material to cause a hang up is aluminum. Please keep reading for more information on aluminum recycling. (more…)
Inclement Weather Tips
Posted February 4, 2014
With all of the inclement weather that our crews have been facing on a regular basis this winter, we wanted to let our customers in on some tips to help move the process along. Collections in inclement weather will take longer and crews may begin work as early as 5 or 6 am.
There are many items around your house that you may not know are recyclable. Many plastics and metal containers that you may have throughout your house can be tossed in your recycle bin. To ensure that your recyclables are in the best condition, please make sure that they are clean of contaminants. Consider running water through the empty containers to ensure that they are clean. Once clean, be sure to toss them in your recycling bin. Here is this month’s Get Green tip: (more…)
Santa’s Naughty and Nice List
Posted December 13, 2013
Christmas is right around the corner. Only 12 days until the big day and Santa wanted us to let you know that he has a naughty and nice list for recyclables. When you are prepping for the Christmas holiday, take into account Santa’s Naughty or Nice list. (more…)
Cyber Monday and Cardboard Recycling
Posted December 2, 2013
Did you know that Fedex is estimating that they will ship 85 million packages this week? On Cyber Monday alone, they expect to ship more than 22 million packages. So your package arrives and you open it to make sure all of your order is accounted for. What do you do with your cardboard box? Be sure to recycle it this year!
Here at Penn Waste, we accept any size and any quantity of cardboard. Aside from this we accept an unlimited amount of recyclables curbside. Here are some tips to ensure that you are recycling cardboard to your fullest potential: (more…)
Get Green With Penn Waste – Holiday Recycling
Posted
It is officially the holiday season, and there are many items that you may not know are recyclable. In order to ensure you get all of the information, be sure to check out our recent Get Green segment for December here:
It’s almost here. Thanksgiving is Thursday! Have you begun your shopping yet? If you have, did you know that there are plenty of packaging products that may be recycled? If you haven’t already completed your shopping, be sure to look out for some of the products listed below! For more information on recycling with your holiday cooking, keep reading! (more…)
Holiday Cooking & Recycling – Plastics
Posted November 14, 2013
We are all getting ready for the big day, Thanksgiving. Whether you are just now shopping or you are planning out what you want to buy in a week or two, be sure to think about what you are going to do with the packaging of those products. There are so many of these items that are actually recyclable, and we are going to help you distinguish which ones are recyclable and which ones are not. This week we are focusing on plastics used during your holiday cooking, so keep reading for more information! (more…)
Holiday Cooking & Recycling – Paper Products
Posted November 4, 2013
With the Thanksgiving holiday just around the corner, it is almost time for you to start shopping and preparing for the big day! Although everyone’s preparation and meals may vary, it is important to remember one thing that everyone can take part in: recycling! For more information on how to recycle this Thanksgiving, keep reading! (more…)
Get Green with Penn Waste – Recycling & Holiday Baking
Posted October 30, 2013
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and in order to prepare for the holidays, we are providing you with tips on recycling when you are baking and cooking. Check out November’s Get Green segment below:
When it comes to recycling metal products, your efforts are influential on the environment, and here is the proof: twenty recycled cans can be made with the energy needed to produce one can using virgin ore. By conserving precious resources and recycling the resources already in use, we can save energy. We have already covered products in your kitchen, bathroom and cleaning closet so far this month. In order to get more of the metals already in use into the recycling stream, please check out this post on metal recycling in your garage. (more…)
Aluminum & Steel Recycling In Your Cleaning Closet
Posted October 21, 2013
Did you know that making new aluminum cans from used cans takes 95 percent less energy than using virgin materials? There are so many aluminum containers that you use on a daily basis that you may not realize are actually recyclable. So far this month, we have covered aluminum and steel products in your kitchen and bathroom, now we are going to cover the aluminum and steel products you may find in your cleaning closet. Keep reading for more details! (more…)
Aluminum Recycling in the Bathroom
Posted October 14, 2013
According to the EPA, only 50.7 percent of aluminum was recycled in 2009. There is so much more that can be recycled throughout your house. This week, we are going to focus on the aluminum and steel recyclables that can be found in your bathroom. Keep reading for more information! (more…)
Aluminum and Steel Recycling in the Kitchen
Posted October 7, 2013
If you have had the opportunity to check out our recent recycling segment on TV, you may have noticed that it highlights aluminum and steel recyclables. You may not have known that so many everyday products come in aluminum or steel containers, and are recyclable. For the month of October, we are going to highlight a different room of your house each week and show you what aluminum and steel products are recyclable in these rooms. For aluminum and steel recycling in your kitchen, keep reading! (more…)
Electronic Waste Disposal
Posted September 30, 2013
So it finally happened. Your trusted TV has finally “kicked the bucket” or maybe your old laptop’s hard drive finally gave up. Not only do you have to find some way to replace it, it is important to remember that you cannot throw these items away in your regular trash collection. Don’t worry though; there are other ways to dispose of this material. Keep reading for more information! (more…)
Time for an Office Clean Up!
Posted September 23, 2013
Have you ever looked around your office and thought: “I really need to get rid of some of this junk”? We all have had those moments when your desk appears cluttered, and in order to be more productive, it may be time to get rid of a few unnecessary items. Rather than throwing all of these items in your trash can, why not find out if they are recyclable? You may be surprised at some of the items that you have around that are actually recyclable; keep reading to find out more!(more…)
Back to School Recycling 2013
Posted August 5, 2013
For some of you, it may be hard to believe, but it is time to start thinking about going back to school. With the school year fast approaching, it is time to start preparing for classes for yourself or your children. What better way to prepare than getting green with your school shopping list. We can help you prepare for the school way in a self-sustainable way by helping you pick out items that are recyclable and purchasing items that can be reused. (more…)
Recycling on Vacation
Posted July 19, 2013
It’s the time of year to pack up the family and head to your vacation destination. While preparing you may bring a lot of things with you, but just toss the waste at the end of your trip. It’s important to remember that many of the things you may bring with you on your vacation are actually recyclable. Regardless of your destination, please remember to recycle during your trip. Please check out our segment that aired on Fox 43 News at 10pm! (more…)
Township Recycling Education
Posted July 2, 2013
When it comes to recycling, it is important that everyone does their part in the process. It’s also important that even if it is not collected through your curbside recycling program, there are other options to help have an impact on your community. (more…)
Recycling at a Cookout
Posted June 21, 2013
It’s the time of year for cookouts and family gatherings. Summer is the ideal time to gather the family and friends and enjoy each other’s company during a cookout. One thing that is important to keep in mind is recycling! There are a lot of items that you bring to cookouts that are not trash and can be placed in your recycling bin. (more…)
Get Green: Aluminum
Posted June 10, 2013
When it comes to recycling, it has been second nature to throw in cleaned aluminum cans in your recycling bins. Items such as food and beverage cans have routinely been tossed in the recycling bin, but there are many more products that can be recycled. (more…)
Recent Recycling Tips
Posted May 3, 2013
For anyone who watches the 10 o’clock news on Fox 43, you may have already viewed our recycling tips that have been running on Tuesday’s airing. Beginning in April and lasting through December, Penn Waste will be bringing you useful tips for recycling and help to Get Green. There have already been two tips that have aired, but if you weren’t able to catch them, don’t worry! They are available for you to view on our youtube page and the individual videos will be posted in the blog post below. On this page you will find many other informative videos brought to you by Penn Waste. Aside from this resource, feel free to check out our website. There is countless information located here, so be sure to take some time to look through some of it. (more…)
Simply Green Tip of the Month – Unlimited Cardboard, Paper, & Paperboard Recycling
Posted August 14, 2012
Cardboard comes in all shapes and sizes. We ask all of our customers to please flatten and bundle their cardboard before sitting it out for our team members to collect. (more…)
Hosting an Eco-Friendly Picnic
Posted July 27, 2012
Now that Independence Day is over, many of you will be looking forward to spending another one of summer’s gorgeous days outside. Whether you will be barbequing with your friends or picnicking with your family, Penn Waste would like to remind you to continue to do your part in keeping our environment clean and beautiful. Here are some helpful tips on how to keep your next picnic environmentally friendly. (more…)
TIPS FOR REDUCING WASTE
Posted July 2, 2012
Did you know? The average American produces 1,609 pounds of trash per year.
Unfortunately, most of this is sent to landfills, incinerated, or otherwise improperly disposed of. This causes damage to the environment in which we live. Out of sight, out of mind does not apply to our waste. After something is thrown into the garbage, it can still have profound effects on you and your community! (more…)
Composting
Posted May 23, 2012
We are continuing our ongoing battle to help the environment through our constant need to be an ecological, supportable, and environmentally-friendly company. But we can’t do it alone! This is why Penn Waste needs our customers’ help; so we can achieve our goal of Creating a Green Community Together! ¬Æ (more…)
Recyclables: Which Are Naughty And Which Are Nice
Posted December 13, 2011
Penn Waste is making a list, checking it twice, and wants their customers to know which holiday decorations and packaging are naughty or nice!
Penn Waste, a leader in the waste and recycling industries in South Central Pennsylvania which focuses on innovative, sustainable, and environmentally-friendly practices, suggests the holidays are not the time to slack off recycling. Here is a friendly reminder for everyone regarding which materials are and are not acceptable recyclables. (more…)
Grasscycling & Yard Waste
Posted July 7, 2011
Anyone who has ever mowed a lawn knows how much of a pain it is to bag grass clippings. We convince ourselves that our lawn looks more pristine without the dead clippings lying on top and that our lawn will be healthier if we take the extra time to bag the grass. We spend countless hours lugging around a renewable resource that could just as easily be recycled rather than wasted. (more…)
Recycling is the process of taking materials such as cardboard, plastic, metal and glass that would otherwise end up in landfills or being incinerated, and transforming them into new items. In order for something to be classified as recyclable material it must meet certain guidelines such as being clean and dry, free from contaminants and on our list of recyclable items we accept at our recycling facility. When you place an item in your curbside recycling bin it will be collected, go through our sorting process and then be shipped out for further processing at a mill. This process helps separate materials so they can be treated accordingly and re-purposed into new products.
Are you looking for a new career? 
Many residents ask why we require them to bag their trash, even if they’re placing it directly into a trash can or trash mobile cart. The answer is simple: Safety.
In preparation for Earth Day on Sunday, April 22nd, we feel it’s important to update our customers on some catastrophic changes that are severely impacting the recycling industry.
AmeriGas and U-Haul are two locations that offer refill stations so that you can reuse your old tank, and Blue Rhino will allow you to exchange your old propane tank for a new one. Facilities that allow you to dispose of your old tank depend on the area in which you live.
New Year’s Day Collection Schedule: Friday January 1st, 2016
Football season is well underway, and along with football comes tailgating. Tailgating is a great way to get fans pumped for the game, but with that energy, trash follows. Luckily, many of the products used during tailgating are recyclable. Check out these helpful hints on how to recycle properly at your next tailgate. 
Did you know that by law, Penn Waste is not allowed to collect your electronic waste that you place at the curb? As of January 24, 2013, Penn Waste has not collected any electronic waste that may have been placed out for collection.
