Lower Towamensing asked to bring back recycling

Lower Towamensing Township has been urged to bring back recycling.

Resident Stephen Youngkin asked supervisors on Tuesday when the township planned to bring back recycling.

Board Chairman Brent Green sized up the situation.

“Because of the cost and what we were seeing with contamination, we couldn’t continue with what we had,” Green said.

Green noted that the township hasn’t had a garbage fee increase in years.

However, Youngkin said he’d gladly pay more in garbage fees if it meant the township would have recycling.

“I wouldn’t mind having my garbage go up and we could have recycling,” Youngkin said.

Green attempted to sum up the situation.

“I don’t think anybody here is against recycling,” he said. “It’s just the cost.”

Green didn’t entirely rule out recycling in the township down the road.

“It’s something we can look into and discuss,” he said.

The board said it may discuss the idea of recycling when it reviews next year’s budget.

The township ceased offering recycling in 2017 after its contract expired with Municipal Recovery Solutions in Wilkes-Barre to collect recyclable items from the center behind the municipal building. With no contract, that center closed on May 3 of that year.

Also on Tuesday, Youngkin expressed his concern with what’s being spread on the fields along Hahns Dairy Road.

“It’s been smelling at my house since July 29,” Youngkin said. “I couldn’t even open my garage.”

Youngkin said several of his neighbors aren’t happy with the situation either.

Green told Youngkin that unfortunately, there isn’t a lot the township can do about the matter because Hahns Dairy Road is a state road.

The board said Youngkin’s best bet would be to contact the state Department of Environmental Protection.