Westmoreland Cleanways accepting many types of plastics for those lacking curbside recycling

Renatta Signorini, Tribune-Review, Greensburg, Pa.
·2 min read

Apr. 22—Westmoreland Cleanways has diverted about 4,000 pounds of plastics from landfills in the couple months since it started collecting them.

Executive director Mike Skapura said the new program has been well received by members of the public who are now permitted to drop off plastics marked with a recycling symbol and the numbers 1-7. Vinyl siding and fencing cut into chunks measuring 4 feet or shorter are also being accepted.

"I wanted to try to offer a one-stop shop," he said.

The plastic recycling program is in addition to the glass, electronics, paper, cardboard, foam, tires and other items the Unity center accepts. Plastics marked 1-7 can include packages used for produce, bottles, yogurt and detergent.

If they are not recycled and thrown away with regular trash, those items go to a landfill. In 2018, there was 27 million tons of plastic directed to landfills, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. About 3 million tons of plastic was recycled that year.

"We have to preserve the space that we do have available in the permitted landfills," Skapura said.

Forms of plastic that are not being accepted under the new program are bags, straws, toys and rigid items such as buckets, he said. The agency fielded a lot of requests for a plastic recycling option at the center.

"Not everyone has curbside recycling," he said, adding that for some of those who do, only certain types of plastics are accepted.

The drive-thru recycling center is open noon to 5 p.m. on Mondays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays and 8:30 a.m. to noon on the second Saturday of every month. It is at 355 Pleasant Unity Mutual Road, off Route 130. The plastics recycling area is in a yellow bin near the glass drop-off. Plastics should be rinsed of food or chemicals and lids and labels can stay on the items. Place them loose in the bin, not in plastic bags or boxes.

More details are at www.westmorelandcleanways.org.

Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Renatta by email at rsignorini@triblive.com or via Twitter .