Columbia Borough

Residential and Commercial Recycling

DID YOU KNOW...?

RECYCLING IN COLUMBIA IS MANDATORY!!

Why does Columbia Borough Recycle?

Extending the life of disposal facilities

Making a contribution towards a better environment
Reducing pollution and conserving non-renewable resources
Doing the "right thing"
Helping local groups and businesses create jobs
Supporting the economy
It's the law...Act 101 and Columbia Borough Ordinance #716 require all residents to recycle the following items:   - Clear & Colored  - Plastic #1 & #2 - White Goods - Glass (bottles & jars)  -Newsprint  - Tires - Aluminum Cans    - Yard Waste   - Steel cans

For Sale at Borough Office:

-

Recycling Bins - $6.00 each                                  Yard Waste Bags $.75 each or 3 for $2.00



Plastic Bag Recycling

Urban tumbleweed. White pollution. These are terms used to describe litter caused by plastic bags from grocery stores and other retailers. Plastic bags are easily carried by wind, escaping from landfills and garbage bins, where they pollute waterways and endanger fish and wildlife, get stuck in trees and clog grates in streets. In addition, the manufacturing of these bags requires considerable amounts of crude oil and natural gas. There are many efforts being made around the world to combat this problem and reduce the use of these bags. You can do something in your own town by requiring retailers to establish an at-store recycling program and to offer reusable bags (such as canvas or cloth).

Yard Waste

Why does Columbia Borough Collect Leaves and Yard Waste?

As a mandated municipality with more than 10,000 residents, we are required through PA Act 101 to collect leaves and yard waste material. Yard Waste Collection can significantly reduce the amount of material taken to landfills each year and thus, give landfills more storage capacity and longer lifecycles. Yard waste recycling is good for the community and the economy insofar as yard waste can be composted into valuable products such as compost and mulch.

The Borough has established a regional facility to collect:

-Tree limbs -Grass -Sticks -Shrubbery -Leaves -Sod -Garden Residues

Collections are made from 12 neighboring municipalities:

Columbia Borough, Elizabethtown Borough, Wrightsville Borough, East Donegal Township, West Donegal Township, Marietta Borough, East Hempfield Township, West Hempfield Township, Millersville Borough, West Lampeter Township, Mountville Borough, East Petersburg Borough

Each year the program grows and more material is collected. Our goal is to collect and process 10,000 tons per year through expansion.

Reason: The municipalities save money through low tipping fees.

Recycling Program Performance Summary 2007

Municipality	Participating Households	Recyclables (Lbs./HH/Mo.)	Refuse (Lbs/HH/Mo.)	Recycling Rate
Columbia Borough	2,716	48.75	358.42	12.0%

Congratulations Columbia Residents and Business Owners!! Thanks to your efforts, our Recycling Rate has risen 2.7% since 2005!

Goal for 2008-2009

Let's raise our recycling rate to 35% over the next two years!!

How can you help?

Recycle, Recycle, Recycle!! Challenge yourself and your family to buy products in recyclable containers and then make sure those containers make their way into your recycling bin. New taller bins are now available at the Borough Office that help guard against wind and allow for greater storage of your recyclables...stop in today and pick one up!
Encourage your neighbors and friends to recycle! A little encouragement can go a long way...remind them that recycling not only helps the environment, but it also conserves energy which keeps manufacturing costs down AND the Borough of Columbia receives grant money for the number of tons recycled each year, which can add up to savings that will be passed onto you!!
Ask your local businesses about their recycling programs! Recycling is important at both the residential and commercial level, so asking your local businesses about their recycling programs will show them their consumers care about recycling and motivate them to improve their programs!
Advocate education in your community!! Do you work with local Scout Troops, daycares, retirement homes, or clubs?? Contact your local Recycling Coordinator and arrange a guest speaker event to promote recycling education!

INTRESTED IN LEARNING MORE?

Visit the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority Website at:

http://www.lcswma.org/

OR,

Contact your local Recycling Coordinator at:

(717) 684-2654 X 29