New recycling regs in West Chester Borough

Every Chesco municipality has its own recycling rules, which evolve. It would be much easier for consumers if countywide rules applied to everyone! Since China cut off its imports of US recyclables, the market in t\he US has been in a turmoil and costs have risen. Aluminum is actually the only remunerative recyclable product right now, but it is helpful to keep others out of the trash, and grants help defray costs of recycling as opposed to trash.

You can check applicable rules on your municipality’s web site; below are those for West Chester Borough, just updated. Note that plastics #3-7 are off the list, meaning we have to trash the flexible containers that products like salad greens, “buttery” spread and hummus come in. The best solution always is: use the least plastic you can!

Recyclable Items

Recycling in West Chester follows the same schedule as trash collection. The Borough’s recycling program is a single-stream, curbside collection program. This means that the following recyclables may be mixed together in your blue 20-gallon recycling container:

Aluminum beverage cans
Glass bottles and jars
Cardboard
Clean aluminum foil and take out containers
Empty aerosol cans
Mixed paper (i.e. newspaper, junk mail, office paper, etc.)
Rigid plastic containers, bottles, & jugs #1-2
Steel food and beverage cans

The following items are NOT accepted in the Borough’s Recycling Program:

Any plastics that are not labeled #1-2 (ex: children’s toys)
Plastic bags – they cannot be separated from commingled recycling
Polystyrene (i.e. Styrofoam)
Pizza boxes contaminated with food/grease. You may removed the top portion of the box if it is not contaminated & place it in your bin. The bottom portion should be placed in your trash can.
Waxed cardboard (i.e. frozen food packaging, coffee cups, etc.)
Hazardous Materials: Paint, Flourescent bulbs, motor oil bottles, etc.)

Recycling Containers

Recycling containers cost $10 per container and can be purchased at the Public Works Department, 205 Lacey St. There is no limit to the amount of recycling you may put out each week, so we encourage you to purchase extra bins if needed. Remember to print your address on the container in the space provided. Residents may also choose to use their own containers for recycling. Containers must be no larger than 30-gallons in size, be clearly marked for recycling and have drainage holes in the bottom to prevent standing water from collecting.