Ross Commissioners Approve Automated Recycling Collection

Say good-bye to the small, grey, rectangular recycling bins.

Ross Township  Commissioners Monday gave permission to opt into automated recycling collection, where feasible in the township.

Each customer will be given, at no charge, a 65 gallon recycling bin on wheels for the disposal of all recycling materials, including glass, plastics, cardboard, and newspapers.

On collection day, an automated Waste Management recycling truck will empty the bins without a worker ever touching it.

"An automated arm is going to come out of the truck, grab the bin, empty it in the truck, and set it right back down where it picked it up," said Township Manager Douglas Sample.

In areas where there is on-street parking, or the space is too narrow for the automated arm to reach the curbside bins, workers will continue to collect the recyclables.

The vote on the issue was 8-1 which Board President Grant Montgomery voting no.

Waste Management will decide which customers will have to use the new bins.

"Customers don't have a choice in the matter," said Montgomery. "And that's why I voted no."

It's not clear when the new bins will be distributed.

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