Macungie Goes to Once-a-Week Trash Pick-up

Macungie Council, at its Oct. 17 meeting, awarded the boprough's refuse and recycling contract to Waste Management for another five years, with a three-year extension, at a cost of just over $1.2 million.

Additionally, beginning Oct. 31, trash will be picked up one day per week, instead of the present two days, which should save residents about $130 per year, according to Borough Manager Chris Boehm.

Linda Emery, market administrator for Waste Management, said the pick up will include up to six bags of trash along with recycling every week. She said the once-a-week program will be better for the environment by using less fuel, while creating less traffic and noise in the borough, especially during the night time hours.

Waste Management has a rewards program to encourage recycling, said Emery.   Boehm said she would check into the program further, as an additional benefit for residents, especially since some residents do not recycle anything.

Macungie resident Debra Cope, who is on the November ballot for council member, was opposed to the change.

“I live in a townhome with a one-car garage.  We don’t even have enough parking, let alone six bags of garbage on the sidewalks per week.  We don’t have any place to store it,” she said.

Boehm said the weekly pick up night will be Mondays, beginning Oct. 31.  All residents will be notified about the change by phone, and there will be a notice on the garbage bills going out in the next couple of days. Information will also be on the borough’s website and in the upcoming newsletter.