WESTMORELAND CLEANWAYS AND RECYCLING

355 Pleasant Unity Mutual Road, Greensburg, PA 15601

724-879-4020 info@westmorelandcleanways.org www.WestmorelandCleanways.org

Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, sponsors and promotes programs that address the proper disposal of solid waste through education, recycling, special collections, and the cleanup of illegal dumpsites and littered areas throughout Westmoreland County.

For the most up-to-date information about recycling opportunities here and across the county, including our services and the items collected at our recycling center, please visit our website, Facebook page, or give us a call.

The Recycling Center

New Material Accepted!

HOURS

Mondays: Noon—5 p.m.

Wednesdays: 8 a.m.—1 p.m.

Fridays: 8 a.m.—1 p.m.

2nd Sat. of each Month: 8:30 a.m.—Noon

As of June 2023, Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling is now accepting plastic bags and wrap. We are excited each and every time a new material is added to the Westmoreland Cleanways lineup, but plastic bags and wrap especially so. Like all plastics made from fossil fuels, plastic bags and plastic wrap don’t biodegrade either in a landfill or as litter. Instead, they break down and become microplastics which have been detected in marine organisms from plankton to whales, birds, terrestrial animals, in drinking water and even in the human body. We do encourage residents to reduce and reuse, as those are better behaviors for the environment. However, in our throwaway society that is not always easy to do. Recycling plastic bags and wrap is a MUCH better alternative than landfilling the items or allowing the plastic to become litter.

Other acceptable materials include: plastic containers, clear, green, brown, and blue bottle and jar glass, scrap metal, Freon appliances, televisions, computers and other household electronics, tires, used motor oil, lead acid batteries, CFL and fluorescent tubes, paper, cardboard, soft and hard back books, block and food grade foam (polystyrene) and corrugated plastic signs (some fees apply).

BI-MONTHLY HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION EVENT

Although Hempfield residents have curbside collection of electronics and household hazardous waste (HHW) through their garbage hauler, (scheduling with County Hauling is required), our Recycling Center remains an available option.

Noble Environmental is on site the 1st and 3rd WEDENSDAY 8am-1pm (regular operating hours) collecting household hazardous waste at a cost of $.80/lb. (credit/debit cards only for payment).

ACCEPTED HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE: 5-gallon containers or smaller of:

• Oil Based/Latex Paint

• Deck Stains

• Flammable Liquids

• Drain Cleaners

• Pool Chemicals

• Fertilizers

• Antifreeze/Automotive Fluids

PROHIBITED ITEMS:

• Explosives, Ammunition

• Radioactive Materials

• Pharmaceuticals

• Syringes

• Putties

• Adhesives

• Glues

• Wood/Metal Finishing Products

• Water Sealers

• Household Cleaning Agents

• Herbicides/Pesticides

• Medical Waste

• Smoke Detectors

• Mercury Containing Devices

• Elemental Mercury

For questions about acceptable materials, check with Noble Environmental at 412-567-6566.

**HHW will only be accepted on the 1st & 3rd WEDNESDAYS of each Month at WCR!

Westmoreland Cleanways employees are not legally permitted to handle HHW at any time and material cannot be stored on site**

Separate material as follows for ease in unloading vehicles: Cash, debit/credit and checks accepted

Plastics: #1-7 CONTAINERS ONLY, rinse out food and chemical residue, (NO straws, buckets, toys, pipes, or rigid plastic) NO

Vinyl siding: 4 ft. or smaller in length

Glass bottles and jars: CLEAN, Remove lids and corks, metal lids can by recycled with scrap metal

Sort into three groups: clear, brown, and then green and blue together

Refrigerant-containing Appliances (frig, freezers, A/C, dehumidifiers, etc.):

Scrap Metal (non-refrigerant appliances, propane tanks, gas grills, lawn mowers, car parts, tools, misc.):

Must be Recycled by Law: (anything directly connected to a computer system): Whole, Intact, Complete TVs all types CRT tube; flat screen, plasma, rear projection, consoles

EPS (expanded polystyrene) # 6 Foam (commonly known as Styrofoam) CLEAN OFF ALL FOOD RESIDUE):

· White Block Packaging Foam, Coolers

· Colored and white food service trays (cups, plates, grocery store trays, egg cartons, fast food containers

NOT RECYCLABLE: Packing peanuts, Rigid foam sheet insulation typically used in construction; “Spongey” block packaging, wreath bases

Tires (* Members receive a discount)

Passenger/Light Truck Tires: $4.00 Off Rim/$5.00 On Rim*

Tractor Trailer: $15.00 Off Rim/ $18.00 On Rim*

Agricultural/farm tractor: $80.00*

Highway/construction/heavy equipment: $80.00*

Bulbs and Fixtures: Ballasts (PCB or non-PCB) each Tanning bed bulbs

Specialty bulbs: CFLs luorescent tubes 4ft or smaller, u-bend, halogen, HID, high pressure sodium, LED, etc. $1.00 each Fluorescent tubes 8ft or longer

Plastic Bags and Plastic Wrap, clean dry and free of any residue

Store bags

Produce/Bread bags

Ice bags

Reclosable bags

Cereal box liners

Case overwrap

Cardboard (corrugated, chip board, cereal boxes) Books (hard and softback) Sorted Office Paper (white; staples and paperclips OK)

Not Accepted:

· Household trash

· Batteries: single use, alkaline, rechargeable household and tool batteries, loose lithium ion laptop batteries, etc.*

· Furniture: wood, fabric, mattresses, box springs, toilets

· Incandescent Light Bulbs

· Ink/toner cartridges

· Paints, Household Hazardous Waste*

Newspaper sleeves

Dry cleaning bags

Bubble wrap/Plastic mailers

Newspaper (black and white, color inserts)

Mixed paper (file folders, junk mail, magazines, phone books) Coroplast signs (corrugated plastic signs)

· Pianos, organs

· Medical Equipment

· Small appliances (coffee pots, blenders, mixers, lamps)

· Vacuum cleaners, rug scrubbers, dishwashers

· Specialty Glass: window/sheet glass, ceramics, mirrors, Pyrex, candles, Plug-in air fresheners

· Bags that are net/mesh, degradable/compostable or for frozen food, pre-washed salad candy/chip bags, mulch, soil, pet food, or 6-pack rings,

*Noble Environmental is on-site 1st and 3rd Wednesday of month, collecting Household Hazardous Waste, paints and batteries at $0.80/lb. (credit cards only)

Drop off plastic bags and wrap at Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling

General Public:

Mondays: Noon - 5pm

Wednesdays: 8am - 1pm

Fridays: 8am - 1pm

2nd Saturdays: 8:30am—Noon

Educational Presentations

Along with operating a Recycling Center, part of our mission is to educate Westmoreland County residents on proper waste disposal—waste reduction, recycling, composting and the importance of not littering. We offer free educational programs to students, youth groups, and adult groups. Please consider scheduling a FREE educational presentation. Visit our website for a complete list of presentation topics and/or contact the office for more information.

Businesses/Large volume generators:

Tuesdays: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Thursdays: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Call to schedule an appointment.

HAVE THE PARTY BUT REMEMBER TO KEEP IT CLEAN!

Westmoreland Cleanways promotes recycling at special events and outdoor spaces. We offer a loaner program in which recycling bins can be borrowed for a 1-day event such as a family reunion, for a few days at a festival/fair, or even a few months for long term events such as football or soccer season. Please contact us for more information.

MEDRETURN DRUG TAKE-BACK PROGRAM

It is not safe to store unused medications, especially opioids, in the home. Nor is flushing medications down the toilet a responsible way to dispose of medications as it creates environmental hazards. To properly dispose of medication, visit a MedReturn collection box.

Many of the local police stations and pharmacies have collection boxes available during regular business hours. Including, but not limited to:

City of Greensburg Police Dept. (PD): 724-838-4324

Irwin PD: 724-864-3103

City of Latrobe PD: 724-537-5526

Latrobe Area Hospital/ Independence Health System: (724) 832-4000

Outpatient Registration Walkway, West 2nd Ave. Mt. Pleasant Borough PD: 724-547-7210

Penn Township PD: 724-863-1119

Wmd. County Park Police 724-830-3469

For a complete list of sites in the County: www.ddap.pa.gov/

Prevention/Pages/ Drug_Take_Back.aspx

Preparing items for disposal at a MedReturn location:

• All medications must be in a sealed container such as the original container or a zip-lock bag. They cannot be put into the MedReturn box loose.

• Liquid pharmaceuticals should remain in the original container.

• Personal information should be removed or blotted out with a permanent marker.

CERTIFICATE Items Accepted:

• Prescription and over-the-counter solid medications, liquids, creams, ointments

• Tablets and capsules

• Pet medicines

CERTIFICATE Items NOT Accepted:

• Hydrogen peroxide

• Compressed cylinders or aerosols (e.g., asthma inhalers)

• Iodine-containing medications

• Thermometers

• Alcohol & illegal drugs (i.e. marijuana, heroin, LSD, etc.)

**PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR DROP OFF LOCATION FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF ITEMS ACCEPTED OR NOT ACCEPTED.

Exciting Changes at the Library

Greensburg Hempfield Area Library is proud to announce being one of only six libraries from across the state of Pennsylvania to be awarded a Family Place Library™ grant this year. This national initiative supports public libraries as they build on the knowledge that good health, early learning, parental involvement, and supportive communities play a critical role in a young child's growth and development. It establishes them as the community center for all of these elements to come together in one convenient location.

This means GHAL will be expanding its existing programs and services for children and families. This fall, Library staff will be working to expand the play space area for children and families. The “Play with Me—It’s the Key Interactive Family Play Space” will include a kitchen, train table, and new doll house, among others. Once complete, families and children will be welcome to come and enjoy the area any time the Library is open.

Families also will benefit from the Family Place Library™ resources. A new five-week program dubbed “Play. Learn. Connect.” purposely will focus on strengthening family

Rewards for Reading

Do you Beanstack? This free app, paid for by the Library, allows patrons of all ages to sign up for GHAL’s reading challenges. This easy-to-use app helps keep track of time spent reading, listening to eBooks or being read to. It also stores books and activities completed as well as streaks, reviews, and rewards. It’s a great tool to encourage reading at any age!

The All-Year Challenge continues this fall as well as the Fall Reading Challenge which begins Monday, September 25 and runs through Monday, December 11. Simply download the free Beanstack app from Google Play or the Apple App Store; create an account; add family members; log time spent reading; complete fun activities; collect virtual badges; and earn raffle tickets for great prizes.

Also using the Beanstack app, families can participate in the free One Thousand Books Before Kindergarten Program. This challenge is specifically for children who have not started Kindergarten. Children can be enrolled bonds; encouraging learning through hands-on play; providing on-site, professional support from local child and human service organizations for caregivers; and offering just the right amount of information at the right time as to not overwhelm caregivers with a bunch of information that may not be pertinent to their situation. Each session will address a different topic which may include early literacy, speech and language, development and hearing, nutrition, play and movement, and child development and parenting. at any age and at any time during the year. Families keep track of how many times they read aloud to their child with a goal of 1,000 books before the child starts school. Children will earn free books as the program continues. Special activities and parties will be held throughout the year to celebrate the young “readers.” Don’t worry! It doesn’t have to be 1,000 different books. Reading the same book over and over is perfectly okay and, actually, beneficial. By beginning to read to your child at/near birth, it only takes one book per day to surpass the program goal. Books your child listens to in story time, at preschool, or even audiobooks count toward the goal.

Likewise, GHAL’s new “Parenting Collection” will allow caregivers to find parenting advice, tips, research, and scholarly material on a variety of topics and challenges that may arise when raising children. As always, the Library’s programs and resources are offered free of charge.

“The Library recognizes and prioritizes the essential importance of early childhood literacy and development when children’s brains are developing rapidly and they’re gaining cognitive, social, emotional and language skills. Healthy development in the early years of life, particularly from birth to 5 years of age, provides the building blocks needed for a lifetime of well-being and educational success,” said Library Director Jamie Falo.