Bristol Twp. Recycling Increases by a ‘Whopping’ 35 Percent, Officials Say

When Bristol Township signed a new trash and recycling contract with Waste Management in December, officials predicted recycling would increase as a result of the new contract.

Much to the surprise of township officials, that increase tops out at 35 percent more recycled waste being collected over the first quarter of the year as compared to last year, a press release said.

According to township collection data, collected 872 tons of recyclable material the first three months of this year compared to 647 tons over the same period last year.

The township is now averaging 291 tons a month of recyclables compared to last year’s monthly average of 216 tons each month, the release said.

Scott Swichar, recycling coordinator for Bristol Township, said he credits the increase largely to the 65 gallon recycling containers that were distributed free of charge to residents for curbside collection of recyclables. According to Swichar, the new collection program has made recycling easy for residents.

“It’s human nature that once your recycling bin is full, the rest of your recyclables go in the garbage,”  Swichar said. “Previously residents had small 20-gallon containers but the recycling rates were poor. Many residents actually enjoy trying to fill up their new larger container with recyclables, and, as they see their neighbors do more, they start doing more as well.”

While the new recycling containers have gone a long way to improve recycling rates, the township has also launched several initiatives, especially among younger students, to help improve recycling efforts, said Township Manager Bill McCauley.

“The Township has not only increased its outreach efforts at local and community events, and rewarded residents with gift certificates at Council meetings for their outstanding recycling efforts , but has also promoted educational awareness to youth on the importance of recycling through assembly presentations at Bristol Township schools,” said McCauley. “It’s important to send a positive message to our youth that will excite and motivate them to recycle, rather than simply threaten enforcement measures,” he added.

McCauley said he realized at first residents of the township were “upset” about the new trash removal deal with Waste Management but noted “residents were happy to learn they are now paying less than previously since the residential trash fee had been reduced by $20 a year.”

In December, council approved the new five-year deal with Waste Management for trash and recycling collections The deal is expected to save the township a little more than $1 million a year. At the beginning of this year, Waste Management provided every household with two carts at no charge, one for recyclables and one for trash.

Township and Waste Management officials also touted the importance of teaching township youth the importance of recycling. A number of initiatives have been started in the municipality, official said last week.

One such project, officials shared, involved student members of a service-learning group at F.D.R. Middle School. The group actually helped to organize and even came up with creative ideas for activities to promote recycling at a school-wide assembly this year.  Students were asked to bring in common household items and had to decide whether these items should be thrown away in the trashcan or whether they were able to be recycled.

“What begins as a simple and fun act of recycling by students, often times carries over to the home and results in the entire family adopting better recycling practices,” said Waste Management Public Affairs Representative at Patty Barthel.

“Everyone in Bristol Township should be proud that we are continuing to increase our recycling rate,” Council President Bob Lewis said. ”We know that increasing recycling rates means a cleaner community for the residents of Bristol Township, a lower carbon footprint and money saved for the Township.”