Westmoreland Cleanways adds glass to drop-off recycling service
Residents searching for a place to recycle glass can go to the Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling facility in Unity.
Cleanways is accepting glass because many community recycling programs and waste haulers no longer accept the material for curbside collection or drop-off in public bins, Executive Director Ellen Keefe announced this week. The nonprofit is offering the service in partnership with Bradish Glass of Hempfield, which recycles various types of glass.
Residents may drop off clear, green or brown glass bottles and jars at no cost at 113 Innovative Lane, off Route 30 — noon to 5 p.m. Monday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday and Friday. The center also is open 8:30 a.m. to noon the second Saturday of each month.
Metal lids should be removed from glass containers and discarded. Paper labels need not be removed, but the glass should be cleansed of food residue.
Bottles should be sorted by color — clear, green or brown. Blue bottles will not be accepted.
Keefe advised that restaurants and bars can reduce their trash collection bills significantly by recycling glass bottles, beverage cans and cardboard. Cleanways accepts cardboard, including cereal boxes, at no charge.
“One restaurant in South Greensburg saved literally thousands of dollars on their annual garbage bill once they started recycling their bottles and cardboard instead of putting them in the trash,” Keefe said. “It may take a bit of effort to deliver the recyclables to Westmoreland Cleanways’ recycling center, but the cost savings are well worth the effort.”
Cleanways also accepts scrap metal and electronics for recycling — including intact televisions of all sizes, computers, printers, toner or ink cartridges, microwave ovens and cell phones. A hazardous waste handling fee of $25 applies for TVs that have been smashed or disassembled.
Cleanways charges for drop-off of appliances containing Freon, at $20 per unit, and vehicle tires — with a fee ranging from $3 to $40, depending on the size of the tire and whether it is on a rim.
Visit westmorelandcleanways.org or call 724-879-4020 for more information.
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
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