REFUSE AND RECYCLING

• Regular Trash Collection
• Excess Refuse Collection
• Large Item Collection
• Recycling
• Cardboard
• Leaf & Yard Waste Collection
• Holiday Refuse/Recycling/Large Item Pickup
• CFL Bulb Recycling
• Household Hazardous Waste
• Technotrash Recycling Drop Off
• 2008 Fee Schedule
  

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REGULAR TRASH COLLECTION

Trash is picked up on the same day each week by Township employees.  If a holiday occurs on your regular trash day, your trash will be collected on the Wednesday of the holiday week. Please check the Township calendar for all changes.  Your regular trash pickup day depends on your location.  To find out which day of the week your trash will be collected, you may call the Township Office at  610-269-4174.

Refuse and recycling items must be placed at the curbside by 6:00 AM on the day of collection.  We encourage residents to place them at the curb the night before.  Containers must be removed from curbside by 12:00 midnight on the day of collection.  Yard waste, large  items, recyclables (such as cardboard), and hazardous wastes are not permitted in your normal trash.

If you have any problems (such as trash not being picked up on your regular pickup day) or any other questions about trash collection, please call the Township Office at 610-269-4174.

The Township uses an automated trash collection system based on "toters."  Toters are approved refuse containers supplied to each residential unit (except for mobile home parks and multiple family units) by the Township.  The toters stay with the residential unit, even if there is a change in ownership.  We recommend that residents mark or paint their house number on their toter and keep a record of its serial number.  Lost or stolen toters must be replaced by the homeowner.   Damaged toters are repaired or replaced at no cost by the Township.  Contact the Township Office for the replacement procedure.

The toters must be placed at the curbside by 6:00 AM on the day of collection.  We encourage residents to place them at the curb the night before.  They should be left with the lid opening facing the street and handle facing away from the street.  Do not set the toter right  next to a mailbox, tree or parked car and do not place recycling items right next to or on top of the  toter.  The mechanical arms need space to operate and cannot lift up toters that are too close to other objects,  are more than half-way open or have items on top of them.  If this happens, the toter will not be collected. (Please see excess trash collection.)

Toters are the unit of measure for Township refuse collection.  The system is designed to encourage recycling and make residents more aware of the trash they put at the curb for disposal.  Toters should be large enough, with proper recycling, to handle a family's waste for the week.  The cost to residents is $84 semi-annually per toter for trash removal.  Bills are mailed to residents by the Township.

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EXCESS TRASH COLLECTION

Remember to recycle and reduce waste, and it will not be necessary to purchase stickers.

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LARGE ITEM TRASH COLLECTION

The Township offers monthly  trash collection of one large item to its residents.  This covers  items such as furniture, big appliances, or carpeting.  Excessive amounts of regular trash are not considered large items.  (See Excess Trash)  Cardboard boxes or yard waste are also not considered large items (boxes should be recycled and yard waste should be composted).  

Residents may set out one large trash item per residential unit per month.  (Mattress and box springs are counted as one item.)  Collection occurs on the resident's last trash pick up day of the month (see the municipal calendar for pick up days).  There is no additional charge for this service.

Additional Large Item pickups are available besides your normal pickup on the last refuse collection day of each month.  For example, if you want to get rid of more than one item or if you do not want to wait to the end of each month, the Township will make a scheduled pickup (usually on a Wednesday) for a fee of $10 per item.  Contact the Township Administration Office at 610-269-4174 for information or scheduling.

Large trash items that contain Freon (e.g. refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and any other item containing refrigerant) must have the  Freon removed and a certification attached before they will be picked up.  The Township is now offering an additional service that will pick up these items at curbside with the refrigerant still in place for a fee of $20. After scheduling with the Township Administration Office at 610-269-4174, items with Freon can be placed curbside for the scheduled pickup, usually on a Wednesday, without having the Freon removed.  The Township will recycle the refrigerant and the metal in the appliance.  You can still have the Freon removed by a certified technician (see appliance services in the Yellow Pages).    Once the technician places the appropriate sticker on the appliance, the item can be placed at curbside for collection on your large item collection day without charge and without contacting the Township.  The Chester County Health Department website offers a list of certified Freon removal technicians.    Please remember that state law requires refrigerator and freezer doors to be removed before disposal for the protection of children.

Large trash items may also be dropped off at the Lanchester Landfill in Honey Brook.  They accept mattresses, appliances (tagged and certified that  Freon has been removed) and bulky items (less than 8 feet long).  There is a  per item charge.  They are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until noon and from 1:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.  For fee schedule and further information, the phone number for the  Lanchester Landfill is 610-273-3771.  Information about the landfill can also be found at the following website:  www.chestercountyswa.org.

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RECYCLING

Curbside

The Township offers a curbside recycling program for newsprint, aluminum and tin cans, clear-brown-green glass, and plastics.  Recycling pick up occurs on the same day as your regular trash pick up.  Refuse and recycling items must be out by 6:00 AM on the day of collection. Containers must be removed from curbside by 12:00 midnight on the day of collection.

The Township supplies each residential unit (except for mobile home parks and multiple family units) with a recycling bin.  The bin stays  with the residential unit, even if there is a change in ownership.  We recommend that residents mark or paint your house number on your bins.  Lost, stolen, or damaged bins must be replaced by the homeowner.   The price of a replacement recycle bin is $6.00.  Contact the Township for the replacement procedure.

Glass, plastics, and cans are picked up commingled.  This means that they should be placed together in a bin.  Paper is collected separately.  Place newsprint in a separate bin, in brown paper bags or tie with string.  The bins must be placed at the curbside on your collection day near your trash toter.   (Please leave space between the toter and your bins, as automated arms empty the toters and may knock over your bins if too close.)  See below for specific curbside items recycled and methods to recycle them.  Please do not place recycling bins on top of your trash  toter or the toter cannot be emptied.  There is no additional charge for the recycling program.  It is factored into your normal trash bill.  However, the more you recycle the more tax dollars you save on landfill costs.

Newsprint
Newsprint includes newspapers and any inserts, magazines, phone books, junk mail, paperback books and home office paper.  They may be tied together in bundles, placed in a separate recycle bin from your commingled recyclables or put in brown paper bags and set next to your  toter, not on top of it.  Please do not put them in plastic bags. 

Glass
Glass includes clear, brown, and green glass bottles and jars only.  To prepare, please rinse them, remove lids and rings, and place in a bin.  Labels do not have to be removed.  Do not recycle other items such as light bulbs, window glass, pyrex, or drinking glasses.  

Aluminum and Tin Cans
Aluminum and tin cans include all aluminum cans, bi-metallic cans, and tin cans.  Only food and beverage containers may be recycled.  Do not recycle other items such as aluminum foil, pie plates, TV dinner trays, aerosol cans, paint cans, or any containers that have held hazardous materials.  To prepare, please rinse them and place in a bin.  Labels do not have to be removed.  Cans may be flattened to save space.

Plastics
Curbside recyclable plastics now include all plastics #1 through #7, regardless of shape.  This includes the bottle shaped plastics such as soda bottles, milk bottles, etc., as well as tub and bucket shaped plastics.  When recycling, please rinse and  remove caps or lids.  Do not recycle containers that have held motor oil, anti-freeze, or hazardous materials.  Plastics bags may not be included with your recyclables.  When they are placed in with your recyclables they have to be removed and landfilled anyway, costing more money to sort and dispose of.  

Leaves & Yard Waste

Composting

The Township encourages all of its residents to compost or mulch their yard waste.  This reduces the amount of waste that has to be collected and helps the environment.  Yard waste includes leaves, clippings and grass cuttings.   Even food and vegetable scraps and coffee grounds can be added to your compost.  Compost can be used as fertilizer and mulch around your yard.  

If you would like further information on composting, contact the Chester County Health Department - Division of Solid Waste Management at 610-273-3771 or stop by the Township Office for composting brochures.  

Yard waste cannot be burned -  It is against Township ordinance to burn recyclables (leaves and sticks are considered recyclable by mulching).  Please see Ordinance 2005-04.

Leaf and Brush Collection

The Township offers a leaf and brush collection program for Township residents only.  The curbside pick-up of leaf bags and brush (shrubbery and tree trimmings) occurs four scheduled times during the Fall on Wednesdays (October 29th, November 12th, December 3rd and December 17th) and once in the Spring (date unscheduled at this time).  These pickups must be scheduled by calling the Township at 610-269-4174, or by emailing receptionist@westbradford.org.  There is no additional cost for this collection, as it is included in your refuse and recycling fee.  

Leaves must be bagged in Township leaf collection bags, which can be purchased at the Township Building during business hours.  The cost is 3 bags for $1.    Leaves will only be picked up in bio-degradable bags.  Leaves in other  containers, including your toter, will not be collected.  Bags must be placed at the curbside by 6 A.M. on scheduled days.   To avoid damaging the equipment used to compost the leaves, they need to be free of plastic, trash and other debris.  Please do not include grass clippings, sticks or other yard waste.   

Brush (shrubbery and tree trimmings) must be tied with biodegradable twine (cotton or hemp) into manageable bundles no longer than 4 feet.  Branches thicker than 4 inches will not be collected.  

Shrubbery and tree trimmings up to 8" in diameter or 8' in length may be taken to the Lanchester Landfill in Honey Brook for composting or shredding.  There is a charge for this.  Lanchester Landfill will not accept root balls, dirt or stones. Please call the landfill at 610-273-3771 for more information.

Drop-off

Cardboard
Heavy (corrugated) cardboard   may now be dropped-off for recycling at the Township's Public Works Garage by residents.  This is to provide residents with a convenient outlet for their cardboard and to fill the void left by the closing of the Accurate Recycling facility in Downingtown.  Follow the signs on the municipal campus for the drop-off location.   All cardboard must be flattened and placed through the slots in the fence.  (Depositing of trash and other materials not currently accepted at the Campus drop-off facility is strictly prohibited.) 

Heavy cardboard may also be dropped off at The Lanchester Landfill in Honey Brook.   They also accept newspapers, #1 & 2 plastics, bi-metal cans, aluminum cans and clear glass. They are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until noon and from 1:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.  The phone number for the Lanchester Landfill is 610-273-3771.  Information can also be obtained at the following website: www.chesco.org

Glass
Brown and green glass bottles and jars may still be dropped off at the Township's Public Works Garage, even though they are now collected curbside.  Follow the signs on the municipal campus for the drop-off location.  (Depositing of trash and other materials not currently accepted at the Campus drop-off facility is strictly prohibited.) 

We do our best to keep this drop-off facility as neat and clean as possible and ask for your assistance in this endeavor.  Please realize that the drop-off area is monitored and anyone caught dumping trash or other material is subject to fine.

Your refuse bill will remain low if everyone participates in recycling.  Recycling saves you money and saves our environment.  It also ensures that you will have adequate room in your toter for your weekly trash.  For more information on recycling, please contact the Chester County Solid Waste Authority 610-273-3771. 

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HOLIDAY REFUSE, RECYCLING, AND LARGE ITEM PICKUP SCHEDULE

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CFL BULB RECYCLING

All Home Depot stores nationwide are now offering a convenient way to recycle compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs.  This is a free service for customers.  Take in any expired and unbroken CFL bulbs to the returns desk of your Home Depot location.  

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HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE

Schedule and location of Household hazardous waste collection events.

Household hazardous waste is any material that is toxic, flammable, corrosive or chemically reactive. Materials labeled with words like "poison, danger, warning or caution" may need special disposal. 

Items such as oil based paint, used motor oil and oil filters, antifreeze, brake fluid, tires, auto batteries, button cell batteries, and laser printer cartridges (please see complete list below) can be recycled at various schools and private businesses in the area.  The Lanchester Landfill in Honey Brook will accept oil filters and household batteries at no charge.  It is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until noon and from 1:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.  The phone number for the Lanchester Landfill is 610-273-3771.  More information about the landfill can be found at the following website:  www.chesco.org .

Small quantities of latex paint are not considered hazardous waste and may be disposed of with your regular trash collection after using one of the following methods:

The new energy efficient light bulbs (kind of look like a squiggle!) are not considered hazardous and may be put in your regular trash, but please pad them as they do contain a small amount of mercury.  If you are uncomfortable disposing of these with your trash, they can be taken to Lanchester Landfill for recycling.  (Note:  If you break a light bulb with mercury in it, open a window and allow the room to ventilate before cleaning it up.) Long florescent light bulbs cannot be put in your trash, but may  be taken to Lanchester Landfill for recycling.

Contact the Chester County Solid Waste Authority 610-273-3771 for more information on household hazardous waste collection.

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TECHNOTRASH RECYCLING DROP-OFF

The Township is starting a pilot recycling drop-off program for "technotrash."  The following items can be recycled under the program:

•     DVD's, Video Cassettes, CD's, diskettes, and audio tapes

•     Old cell phones, pagers, and PDA's

•     Rechargeable batteries

•     Inkjet, laser printer, and fax cartridges

•     CD and MP3 players, and handheld games

Items can be dropped off in the designated bin in the lobby of the Township Building from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM during business hours.

Only West Bradford Township residents may participate.   There is no additional charge, as the cost is included under your refuse bill.  Computers, monitors, and other peripherals are not included.  They can be taken to the County's two designated computer collection events per year.  See article under Household Hazardous Waste.

If you are interested in ordering the Technotrash Can for yourself, the website is www.greendisk.com or you can email them at sales@greendisk.com. They can also be reached by phone at 800-305-3475.

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