SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Waste collection fees have skyrocketed in South Whitehall Township and across the region.
Now, South Whitehall officials are trying to find ways to keep future increases as low as possible.
The township Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved funds for a comprehensive evaluation of the waste collection program.
The study, which will be conducted by SCS Engineers, comes after the board in September approved a five-year waste collection contract that increases fees to residents a little more than 62%.
The cost now will be $660 per residential unit per year or $165 per quarter. There is a $30-per-quarter discount for seniors with an income of equal to or less than $35,999.
Commissioners chose J.P. Mascaro & Sons to be the township’s new hauler because its bid was the cheapest of three options over the five-year period.
Garbage collection contracts have increased at times over 100% for other local municipalities. Price increases are attributed to higher costs for staffing, fuel and equipment for service providers.
The cost of the study is $70,900, which Petrucci said is “sufficiently provided for” in the township’s $19.79 million 2024 budget.
What will the study look at?
SCS Engineers will conduct both a Solid Waste/Recycling Program Evaluation and a Route Optimization Study for the township.
The program evaluation will include a complete analysis of the entire program by reviewing all its policies, regulations, and operations.
It is estimated to be completed by March, Township Manager Tom Petrucci said.
The Route Optimization Study will look at the routes used by the hauler to increase efficiency. Petrucci said the study is estimated to be completed by May.
Petrucci said the overarching goal is to evaluate ways to manage costs and reduce the amount of refuse sent to landfills, while also reviewing alternative options for trash collection.
“I'm hopeful that by the end of this contract... that we're not just on the low end for all the municipalities in the area, but on the low end where it's more affordable for residents.”Commissioner Jacob Roth
When the study was first proposed at the Dec. 6 Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Jacob Roth said he hoped it would help the township keep its fees as low as possible in the next contract.
“I'm hopeful that by the end of this contract, at the time the study is done, that we're not just on the low end for all the municipalities in the area, but on the low end where it's more affordable for residents,” Roth said.
Pickup problems
Some residents had difficulty with the new trash hauler in its first week of operations.
The township on Tuesday afternoon sent an alert to residents saying any outstanding refuse and recycling pickups would be completed by 7 p.m. that day.
Trash collection typically starts at 6 a.m., according to the township website.
Some on social media said their trash was not collected until after 8 p.m., and others said their recycling was not picked up that day.
In an email, Petrucci said the delays were reported on the first collection days of the week. He said they were “isolated in nature,” as they were related to the schedule being shifted because of the holiday week.
“Additionally, the new hauler is becoming accustomed to the routes and adjusting to new equipment,” Petrucci said.
Petrucci said any delays or missed pickups should be reported to the township. J.P. Mascaro & Sons also has a dedicated customer service line for South Whitehall at 610-434-2501.
