Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – The DEP recently issued recycling guidelines based on local areas – rules that local authorities continue to enforce.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has published a simple guide to help residents and businesses understand recycling in Pennsylvania called “Guidelines for Recycling in Your Community.”
The booklet helps Pennsylvanians recycle properly by finding recycling programs in their area, learning their local rules, and following them to maximize the social, environmental and economic benefits of recycling.
Speaking of local rules: Following recent litter cases, the Old Lycoming Township Police Department intends to issue citations to anyone who leaves materials outside recycling bins.
The booklet is available for download at dep.pa.gov/recycling. Printed copies of the booklet will be distributed at upcoming public events such as the PA Farm Show 2022. They will also be available at all six DEP regional offices (dep.pa.gov/regions).
“DEP is committed to supporting successful recycling programs in local communities, and this new booklet will help residents better understand recycling rules and how to connect to local recycling opportunities,” DEP secretary said. , Patrick McDonnell. “We encourage everyone to find ways to reduce their waste, reuse materials, recycle what they can and get rid of what they owe properly. ”
Recycling generates environmental and financial benefits for Pennsylvania. Through recycling, nearly 10 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions are avoided each year – the equivalent of removing 2.15 million (or 25%) vehicles from Pennsylvania roads annually.
“This booklet will help Pennsylvanians keen to recycle to eliminate any confusion that may arise when faced with differences and changes within local recycling programs,” McDonnell said. “This will make them better educated and more confident recyclers, which will ultimately benefit the environment and the economy of Pennsylvania for future generations.” “
According to a 2017 Recycling Economic Impact Study, the recycling market contributed $ 22.6 billion to the state of Pennsylvania’s gross product, directly employed more than 66,000 people, and contributed nearly 110,000 indirect and induced jobs in 2015. Each dollar of direct activity was matched by another dollar of combined indirect and induced value added.
The DEP has overseen the Pennsylvania statewide recycling program since 1988, when the Municipal Waste Planning and Waste Reduction Act, known as Bill 101, came into effect. Among other measures, Bill 101 provides the framework for municipal curbside recycling programs, funding for local recycling programs, county-wide planning for municipal waste management, etc.
While the DEP administers the statewide recycling program, all recycling in Pennsylvania is managed locally. Many municipalities and counties in Pennsylvania operate local recycling programs, supplemented by recycling services offered by private and non-profit organizations. Local recycling programs vary; collection systems, lists of acceptable materials and local rules are all determined by the entity that manages the program.
