State touts township trash tactics

By Joan Greene
For the Tribune-Review
Thursday, January 4, 2007

In two years, Cranberry's Collection Connection quadrupled the share of residents who recycle, a level of success that has now earned the innovative waste-disposal program the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence.

During a ceremony last month at the township's council chambers, representatives from Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection presented Cranberry officials with a plaque and flag in recognition of the township's successful solid-waste disposal and recycling program.

"It's a validation of doing it right," township Manager Jerry Andree said. "We appreciate the commonwealth's support."

When Collection Connection was initiated in November 2004, only 9 percent of the township residents recycled. Two years later, recycling is now in the 40 percent range, said Lorin Meeder, Cranberry's environmental program coordinator.

The program was designed to improve garbage collection in general and the recycling of yard waste and recyclable items, Meeder said. "In addition, one of the big things we wanted to do was get the number of garbage trucks off the roads," he said.

By consolidating waste disposal pick-up with one company -- Vogel Disposal Inc. -- nine fewer trucks were needed for collection.

"We've saved approximately 4,000 miles of truck travel a year," Meeder said. "Environmentally, we've saved on gas, air pollution, and the recycling of materials and yard waste (going to compost) has reduced the amount of trash going to landfills."

Collection Connection was designed to give residents the initiative to recycle by charging residents more money for the use of larger trash cans, Meeder said.

Andree attributes much of the program's success to "single stream" recycling, where all recyclable items are placed in one container.

"This makes it easier for residents to do and has helped turn the program into a huge success," he said.

Collection Connection has received both local and national recognition. Cranberry's neighbors, Pine and Marshall have started similar programs and nationally, the program is being referred to as a model for recycling and waste disposal pickup, Andree said.

"I've received calls about the program from communities across the country," he said. "It's a good solution for our demographics. The community seems to love it."