Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto plans to set aside $500,000 in 2020 and allocate more money in future years to buy more recycling bins for city residents.
Recycling has been mandatory in Pittsburgh for 28 years, and the city is transitioning from the blue bags that have been distributed for storing recyclable material to 35-gallon blue bins.
The bags clog machinery at recycling centers, result in litter on city streets and degrade the quality of recyclables, according to the Mayor’s Office. City Council earlier this year approved stricter rules for residents to follow.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in February approved a $350,000 grant for the city to purchase 13,000 recycling bins. In a separate program, the Pennsylvania Resource Council distributed 5,200 bins, mainly to North Side residents.
“As the recycling industry and our climate continue to change, Pittsburgh needs to keep adapting to a stronger culture of waste reduction and material reuse,” Peduto said in a statement. “A strategic plan for purchasing and deploying blue recycling bins citywide will make that culture change more accessible, equitable and meaningful for all.”
The purchase of new bins is subject to City Council approval. Peduto has proposed phasing in purchases over the next few years.
Plans for distributing the bins have not been finalized. The city will notify residents when they are available. Residents can also buy their own bins.
