Pine Township has been receiving a number of complaints because of the way trash collection is being handled.

Residents are tired of having trash cans strewn about and errant pieces of litter floating around after pick-up day each week.

According to Gary Koehler, township manager, a single laborer is responsible for hauling almost 13 tons of trash per day.

At that pace, laborers must move rapidly to stay on schedule and there is no time to place trash cans neatly back on the curb or bend down to gather errant litter. Pick-up stops are also being missed due to staff being spread so thin.

Koehler believes that it is the current system that has led to the problem, not the workers. He reaserched neighboring communities and found that Cranberry Township has a system that may suit Pine.

Pine supervisors approved a motion to hire a consultant to help township work towards this new trash removal system.

Michelle Nestor the consultant Pine has hired, helped Cranberry get its system up and running.

The proposed three-bin system provides separate bins for cardboard and paper items, glass and cans, grass clippings and tree branches and one for regular trash.

These new bins would be larger than the old one's and have wheels for easier transportation to the curb.

Pine will have to pay for the bins, but have applied for a grant that would reimburse the township.

Also under the new system the collection trucks will be equipped with a motorized arm that picks up the bins and deposits the trash in the back of the truck then the bins will be placed back on the curb.

The end result is the workers can move along their routes quicker, and they will sustain fewer injuries.

Koehler hopes that this system will also increase recycling.

"This will save on labor costs and workers compensation," Koehler said.

Koehler expects things to move fast, as the current contract is up in December.

He hopes to have bids out by August and approval soon after so the new system will have ample time for transition