Lower Burrell’s new 'beastly' 64-gallon recycling bins cause a ruckus

The new 64-gallon recycling bins are beastly, some Lower Burrell residents say, compared to the small plastic crates that were retired for the city’s new recycling contract with Waste Management Inc.

City council agreed to the new contract with Waste Management this summer that included 64-gallon recycling bins on wheels. The bins are about four times as large as the crate-sized bins previously used.

During council’s Monday meeting, resident Robin Rosewicz asked whether residents could be given a choice of the size of the bins.

“I won’t be able to fit it into my garage,” Rosewicz said.

Councilman Dave Stoltz replied: “It doesn’t fit in my garage, either.”

There has been some public discontent about the bins, Councilman Chris Fabry said during Monday’s council meeting. But he said there also are residents who like the new bins.

“The big bin is easier to maneuver,” Mayor John Andrejcik added.

Council is responding to residents having issues with the bins, but there is no change to the city’s new contract with Waste Management, which takes effect Jan. 1.

The state requires the city to recycle because its population is above the law’s threshold of 10,000 residents.

There were only two bidders for Lower Burrell’s recycling contract, which expires at the end of the year.

Shank Waste Service Inc. of Lower Burrell and Waste Management submitted bids with city-supplied and contractor-supplied bins for manual and automated collections.

The city agreed to automated recycling collection with the large contractor-provided bins, which cost less than the other options. Previously, the city provided residents with small, plastic crates.

Councilwoman Rosina Albanese said the city didn’t want to be in the business of supplying recycling bins.