Single-Stream Recycling
For those who refuse to recycle because separating plastics, glass, cardboard, paper, and metal is simply too much of a hassle, perhaps it's time to ask for single-stream recycling.
Penn Waste's single-stream recycling process is an example of this system that removes the need for householders to separate their recyclables. This system of putting all recyclables into one big bin was adopted in mid-2008 by company President Scott R. Wagner. Penn Waste was founded in 2000 and is located in York, Pennsylvania. They currently serve over 100,000 customers in York, Lancaster, Cumberland & Dauphin Counties.
Penn Waste does the separating and sells to manufacturers who need specific recyclables to produce specific products.
Apparently, this system of single-stream recycling makes recycling more convenient for consumers and so, increases the amount recycled. In Susquehanna Township, residential recycling participation jumped nearly 73 percent in 2008, to 3,586 tons, said health Director Lynn Roche. Even before single-streaming, recycling participation was on the rise, she said.
Who benefits when more people recycle? The more tons recycled, the higher the township's annual recycling incentive grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection. From 2006 to 2007, the latest year for which figures are available, the grant rose from $56,500 to $68,690, Roche said.
Evidently, residents who want to make their townships richer so that they can continue to enjoy well-maintained public amenities can do so simply by recycling. That's a whole new way of looking at "trash;" it doesn't put money into personal bank accounts but it does improve the quality of life for residents.
Throughout Dauphin County, single-streaming pulled in 18,239 tons of recyclables in 2009 from residential and commercial customers of Penn Waste and Waste Management, solid waste management and recycling manager Kelly Wolf said.
If your city or township does not yet use single-stream recycling, then perhaps you can take the initiate and suggest to your city officials that an upgrade of the current recycling program is due. City officials who wish to stay elected in office usually take the concerns of their constituency seriously.
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