Township Recycling Program FAQs

When was the Recycling Ordinance officially adopted?

The Upper Hanover Township Recycling Ordinance was adopted in March 12, 2013.

Why is this mandatory recycling ordinance getting adopted now?

Pennsylvania Act 101, The Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act of 1988, requires mandatory recycling for all Pennsylvania municipalities that meet certain population criteria. While the requirements in total population and population density were not met in Upper Hanover Township for decades, the 2010 U.S. Census finally pushed the Township numbers over the required thresholds and the Township is now mandated by state law to adopt a recycling ordinance and implement a recycling program.

What are my responsibilities under the new Recycling Ordinance?

All persons residing within the Township of Upper Hanover, whether in a single-family or multi-family dwellings, townhomes or apartments shall separate from other municipal waste generated at their dwellings all designated recyclable materials. The materials shall be stored until collection thereof by their municipal waste collector.

What are the Ordinance designated recyclable materials residents have to recycle?

Aluminum, glass, plastic and yard/leaf waste.

Can I recycle additional materials other than the Ordinance designated materials?

Sure. You are free to recycle whatever additional materials you choose that your selected recycling hauler is willing to accept.

Why should I recycle?

Recycling is the environmentally responsible thing to do. With limited land fill space available, the recycling re-use of materials such as aluminum or plastic will greatly extend the life of existing landfills required for the disposal of materials that cannot be recycled. Recycling can also save you money by reducing the total bags of municipal waste that your hauler must remove.

Is the Township going to hire one municipal waste hauler to collect recycling materials?

No. Residents have complete freedom of choice to select the private hauler they want to use as long as the hauler is on the Township list of haulers that have registered to conduct recycling in Upper Hanover Township. Most residents will be able to continue services with their current hauler.

When will this list of registered haulers be available and where can I view the list?

The Township list of registered recycling haulers can be viewed on the Township website at www.upperhanovertownship.org under the recycling heading or at the Township Municipal Building. Copies of the list can also be forwarded by fax or email upon request. Or just call the Township office at 215-679-4401, extension 0 to verify if your current hauler is on the list. If your current hauler is not on the list of registered haulers, you can contact your hauler and ask that they complete the registration requirement.

If my current hauler is registered with the Township to collect recycling, is there anything else I have to do to comply with this new recycling ordinance?

No. You are already in full compliance with the recycling ordinance and there is nothing more that you need to do but recycle on the days and times specified by your designated hauler, including recycling of designated materials and yard/leaf waste.

Do I need to obtain recycling containers or leaf bags from the Township?

No. Your selected recycling hauler is required to provide recycling containers for your use. The Township will not sell or provide recycling containers and will not sell or provide leaf or yard waste bags.

What about recycling requirements for multi-family residential units?

The requirements are the same as for a single family residence. Multi-family residential properties of four or more units must provide suitable containers for the collection and sorting of recyclable materials.

Do commercial, municipal and institutional properties need to comply?

Yes. Persons in these categories must separate high grade office paper, aluminum, corrugated paper, leaf waste and other material that the Township deems necessary for commercial, municipal and institutional establishments and community activities. The Township must exempt such persons from compliance if they have otherwise provided for the recycling of such materials. In that event, the person must provide the Township with an annual written report detailing the number of tons of such materials recycled.

Who owns these recyclable materials once they are placed curbside?

Designated recyclable materials, from the time of the placement of the same at curbside or other designated collection area, shall be and become the property of the respective recycling hauler.

Are there limitations on the hours of collection?

Trash/recycling collection vehicles shall not operate on roadways between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am the following day on a weekday or between 9:00 pm and 8:00 am the following day on a weekend or legal holiday.

Are yard waste and leaf waste a part of the recycling requirements?

Yes. All persons residing within the Township of Upper Hanover shall, at all times, separate from other municipal waste generated at their dwellings all leaf waste which shall be collected unless these persons have otherwise provided for the composting of such leaf waste.

Leaf waste is defined as leaves, garden residues, shrubbery and tree trimmings and similar material, but does not include grass clippings. Tree trimming includes twigs and branches no larger than four (4) inches in diameter or as specified by the respective haulers for curbside pickup.

The recycling hauler you designate will be required to collect leaf waste curbside at your property two times per year with the first pickup to be scheduled in the spring and the second pickup to be scheduled in the fall. The exact dates will be determined by your designated hauler.

The Township has contracted with a local company to provide a leaf waste drop off location that will be open 12 months per year on the second Saturday of each month from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon. Residents may recycle yard/leaf waste at this location without a charged fee. Use of the drop off location is limited to Township residents only. Yard/leaf waste from non-residents, landscapers or other, private haulers or businesses will not be accepted for recycling at the drop off location. Residents should bring along a form of identification containing their home address when visiting the drop off location.

The current selected yard/leaf waste drop off location is the John Miller and Son, Inc. recycling facility located at 2542 Geryville Pike, Pennsburg, PA 18073. Please see the associated, additional information on Yard/Leaf Waste Drop-Off Program Guidelines.

Can I continue to burn leaves, twigs and branches after the adoption of this Ordinance?

No. The burning of leaf waste and yard waste, and/or any item, substance or material designated as a Recyclable Material under the Code of the Township of Upper Hanover, Chapter 409, Solid Waste, as amended, is hereby prohibited.

Is there a designated Township Recycling Coordinator?

Township Manager Stan Seitzinger, Jr. is the designated Township Recycling Coordinator and can be reached at either 215-679-4401, extension 4 or sseitzinger@comcast.net.

Are there enforcement provisions for the Recycling Ordinance?

Any person, partnership or corporation who or which has violated or permitted the violation of the provisions of the Recycling Ordinance shall, upon being found liable therefor in a civil enforcement proceeding commenced by the Township before the local Magisterial District Justice, pay a judgment of not less than $25 nor more than $600 plus all court costs, including reasonable attorney fees incurred by the Townshp as a result thereof.

Where can I review the Recycling Ordinance and obtain additional recycling information?

Visit the Township website at www.upperhanovertownship.org. The Recycling Ordinance is listed under “Ordinances”. A separate section on “Recycling” contains additional recycling program information.