New Kensington implementing garbage guidelines to address resident concerns

New guidelines for garbage collection taking effect Jan. 1 in New Kensington are intended to address resident concerns, City Clerk Dennis Scarpiniti said.

For 2022, the city is exercising the second year of a three-year agreement with County Hauling.

The city’s cost is increasing by $1.50 per ton, to $157.50. It will increase to $159 in 2023 if the city exercises the third and final year of the contract.

However, the quarterly cost for residents in 2022 will remain unchanged at $78.13.

Ro Rozier, a spokesperson for County Hauling, said the company is pleased to continue its relationship with New Kensington residents, who she said they are always working to serve more efficiently.

“We have invested in new technology that has innovated solid waste management, transforming waste to renewable natural gas,” she said. “That same natural gas ends up powering our trash collection vehicles that service New Kensington.”

The new guidelines are coming from the city and have been agreed to by the company, Scarpiniti said. Most notable among them is that residents will be limited to 10 bags per household each week, with bags weighing no more than 50 pounds each.

Residents cleaning out a property will have to contact a private hauler or rent a dumpster, according to the city.

County Hauling will continue to pick up large items, but there will be a limit of two per week, and residents will have to notify the hauler in advance.

Scarpiniti said the restrictions are needed to ensure all garbage can be picked up.

“The reality is that unlimited garbage is not really unlimited anywhere,” he said. “What we’re finding is a lot of people are emptying out their houses. They have more garbage than what can be expected to be picked up. What happens is the trucks get filled, and they can’t pick up the rest and they have to go back the next day.

“We’re trying to answer some of these questions about why we have misses,” he said.

Scarpiniti said a 10-bag limit should be more than enough and called it “more than accommodating.”

Garbage, normally picked up on Fridays across the city, should be put out for pickup no earlier than the night before. Loose trash will not be picked up; all trash must be bagged, including in cans, Scarpiniti said.

If garbage collection is missed, residents should contact County Hauling immediately at 724-929-7694, ext. 2, as Scarpiniti said they might be able to return to get it that day. Residents should not wait until Monday to report a missed pickup to the city.

The city will post notices of any delays in garbage pickup, such as those due to holidays, on the city’s website, newkensingtonpa.org.

The Christmas and New Year’s holidays will not alter the garbage pickup schedule. Garbage will be picked up as usual on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31, according to the city.

Newspaper, cardboard and magazines can be dropped off in bins at the city garage across from Valley High School.

The city warned that anyone caught dumping garbage in the city will be prosecuted.