results and analysis summary - lower … and analysis summary ... to improve the 2011 trash bid....

2011 TRASH, RECYCLING AND YARD WASTE SURVEY

RESULTS AND ANALYSIS SUMMARY

July 2011

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2011 TRASH, RECYCLING AND YARD WASTE SURVEY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS SUMMARY

July 2011

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Summary ....................................................................................................................................................... 5 Appendix A: 2011 Trash, Recycling and Yard Waste Survey Responses and Analysis .................................. 9 Appendix B: Comments from Question 5 .................................................................................................. 21 Appendix C: Comments from Question 6 .................................................................................................. 25 Appendix D: Comments from Question 9 .................................................................................................. 35 Appendix E: Comments from Question 21 – Free Response .................................................................... 39 Appendix F: 2011 Trash, Recycling and Yard Waste Survey and Information Sheet .................................. 65

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2011 TRASH, RECYCLING AND YARD WASTE SURVEY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS SUMMARY

Township staff conducted a survey and interviewed several local waste haulers to help understand ways to improve the 2011 trash bid. Below is a summary of the information received from these sources and recommendations for improving the 2011 Trash, Recycling and Yard Waste Removal Contract. 2011 Trash, Recycling, and Yard Waste Survey At the end of March 2011, 3,002 surveys were sent out with the Township’s semiannual waste removal bills to ask residents for their thoughts on waste removal service to help the Township develop a bid package that could better meet their needs. Surveys were developed to determine whether the complaints being received by Township staff and at Board of Commissioners’ meetings were indicative of the whole Township, or just a small representation. Complaints received were generally related to service problems, cost, and bag / can limits. The was considerable response to the surveys – 966 surveys were returned, generating a 32% response rate. A question‐by‐question analysis of the survey results is provided in the appendices of this report. This section will serve as an executive summary of the results and offer ideas for improving the trash contract for 2012 and beyond. The survey gave us a rather interesting profile of the respondents. It came across pretty clearly that our residents have had long tenures in the Township. More than one‐third of the respondents have lived in the Township more than 25 years and nearly 35% of residents have lived in the Township more than 10 years. A significant number of residents stated that they have lived in the Township for 50 or more years. In addition, many of the respondents are seniors. Keep the cost low These residents have a long history of the Township providing waste removal services as a government service paid for by their taxes. Many are also on fixed incomes and are looking to maximize their limited income by keeping their Township bills low. This message was loud and clear. They see the number of bills paid to the government as very high. Although Township taxes are low compared to other municipalities in Montgomery County (24th out of 62), overall taxes in Lower Pottsgrove are very high compared to the rest of the county (57th out of 62) due to having the third highest school district tax in Montgomery County. The Township is in a very tough position when it comes to finding ways to pay for the services it provides to its residents. Unfortunately, the question which asked respondents to determine how they would like to pay for waste removal services was flawed due to its complicated nature, so we can’t place significant weight on the responses received by this question. Almost 30% of

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respondents stated that they would like to see waste removal paid for out of their taxes, even if it meant a tax increase. Nearly 14% responded that they would like to have the Township contract out for waste removal services and be billed for 100% of the cost. More than 30% of respondents did not answer the question or did not like the provided responses. In response to how much respondents were willing to pay for waste removal services, nearly 37% were not willing to pay more than $100 per year, while less than 24% were not willing to pay more than $150. Satisfied with service While there is some angst among respondents over the provision of waste removal services, a significant amount of respondents (65%) were either satisfied or very satisfied with the service. Less than 13% were unsatisfied or very unsatisfied. Sources of dissatisfaction were service, cost, bulk pick up, items collected, items collected, amount collected, general cleanliness, and communication (full comments are provided in the appendices). Respondents seemed most satisfied with service and collection day. Acceptable parameters Respondents seemed generally happy with the parameters of the bid contract. Very few respondents stated that the limits on trash collected was burdensome; however, many respondents who generate less than four bags or cans of waste each week were vocal in stating that they felt they should have a discount because they generate less. A majority of respondents stated that once per week pick up met their needs. Almost 37% did respond that they would use twice a week pick up if it was offered; however, many also commented that it would be nice to have if it did not cost them extra. When asked how residents would like their trash collected (four bag/can limit, remove limits, or pay per bag), a strong majority supported the four bag/can limit, removing limits and pay per bag were less popular. While removing limits was not popular, the Township might want to consider how removing limits on waste collected would impact the cost of trash removal. A majority of residents were supportive of the current system for bulk waste collection; however, more than 25% of respondents did state that they would like to see some sort of bulk waste collection included in the contract. Anecdotally, many of these same respondents also generated more than two bulk items per year. There were quite a few comments referencing a bulk item day once per year. This might be something to consider as an optional item in the next bid package. Curbside pickup of Christmas trees and yard waste was definitely preferred; however, there was definitely support for a drop off location. While a yard waste facility is not currently feasible, the Township might want to consider options for a Christmas tree drop of and forming partnerships with other yard waste facilities, such as the one in Douglass Montgomery Township. Whatever collection facilities are offered, residents do not want to travel far (56% would travel less than 5 miles) and they do not want to pay an additional fee (76%). In addition, respondents favored using the 30 gallon paper bags for containing leaf and yard waste, which is currently used now. Conversations with Trash Haulers Staff interviewed several trash haulers in the area and asked them for input and ideas for tailoring the survey and trash bid for more competitive responses. Some ideas included:

• Making the waste removal day flexible • Do not make bid specifications too complicated (too many options to bid on) • To not allow residents to opt out of program

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• Limits on waste collection amounts do not provide significant savings Items to Consider for the Next Contract The following are recommendations for improving the 2011 Trash, Recycling and Yard Waste bid:

• State that Mondays are a strong preference for waste removal; but not required. • Consider requiring pick up on Monday holidays to eliminate confusion • Consider sending out four different bids

o Trash Removal o Recycling Collection o Yard Waste Collection o Bulk Collection (one clean up day collection per year) – if this bid is too much, require

the trash hauler to provide it for an additional fee as per current situation • Add cardboard to the recycling list • Require single source recycling collection • Remove limits for waste collection, or at least ask bidders to provide a bid number for

“unlimited” • Consider a drop off location for Christmas trees that the hauler will have to provide one pick up

per year (say early March at a local park) • Consider a provision that adds a few extra yard waste collections in spring and fall, like maybe

add every week for the entire month of March or April and the entire month of October or November (or March 15‐April 15) and October 15‐November 15)

• Require haulers to provide residents with a “Notice of Non‐Compliance” stating why their waste was not removed.

• Consider requiring haulers to replace trash and/or recycling containers at their cost that are damaged due to their negligence.

• Require all containers to be placed behind the curb upon collection of waste • Consider requiring hauler to provide trash toters (this will increase cost, but will help set limits

and will eliminate “rolling” trash cans)

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APPENDIX A

2011 TRASH, RECYCLING, & YARD WASTE SURVEY

RESPONSES & ANALYSIS

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Appendix A Lower Pottsgrove Township 2011 Trash Recycling & Yard Waste Survey

Responses and Analysis

Methodology: The 2011 Trash, Recycling, & Yard Waste Survey (“survey”) was designed to determine Township trash, recycling and yard waste (“waste”) removal customers’ satisfaction with current services and determine their tolerances to certain concepts with regard to waste removal. The survey was sent to 3002 waste removal customers with their March waste removal bill, along with a brief newsletter to help customers further understand the Township’s waste removal program (these items are provided in Appendix F). Customers were asked to complete the survey and send it back to the Township by May 10, either by fax, mail, or dropping it off to the Township building. 966 responses were received, owing to a 32% response rate. Due to the high response rate, the results of this survey are considered a good response rate. Responses were entered into Survey Monkey by several staff members and volunteers, which provided a summary of the results. Please see below for the results and a brief analysis. Question 1 – 3: Demographics These questions were asked to determine who was responding to the questions. In summary, most of the respondents are seniors who own their homes and have lived in the Township for a long time. Almost all of the respondents are homeowners that have lived in the Township for a significant amount of time. More than a third of the respondents have lived in the Township for more than 25 years, with a significant number having lived in the Township more than 30, and even 50, years. More than 53 percent of the respondents have lived in the Township 6‐25 years, while a little more than 11 percent have lived in the Township 5 or less years. About 19% of the respondents lived in households with two adults between the age of 30 and 64, while 18% of the respondents lived in households with either one or two adults aged 65 and older. Seven percent of the respondents lived in households with one resident aged 30 to 64. The breakdown of ages in this survey is slightly flawed. Since many residents have lived in the Township for more than 20 years, there should have been another group for residents aged 55‐64, as it would help us understand whether the adults between the ages of 30 and 64 are grouped more toward the middle‐aged adults with families, or seniors/empty nesters.

Q1. How long have you lived in Lower Pottsgrove Township?

Answer Options Response Percent

Response Count

Less than 2 years 3.62% 352-5 years 7.66% 746-10 years 18.63% 18012-15 years 13.35% 12916-20 years 10.97% 10621-25 years 10.56% 10226-30 years 4.76% 46More than 30 years 28.99% 280No answer 1.45% 14

answered question 966

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Q2. I currently __________ my home.


Response Count

Own 97.20% 939 Rent 0.72% 7 No answer 2.07% 20


Q3. How many people live in your household in each age category listed below (including yourself)? Answer Options 0 1 2 3 4 5

Response Count

Total in Age bracket

12 and under 755 100 88 18 4 1 966 351 – 14%13-18 806 107 49 4 0 0 966 217 – 8.6%19-29 775 125 61 5 0 0 966 262 – 10.5%30-64 279 185 482 16 4 0 966 1213 – 48.5%65 and older 663 152 151 0 0 0 966 454 – 18.2%No answer 962 4 0 0 0 0 966 4 - .2%

answered question 966 2501

Questions 4 – 6: Satisfaction These questions were asked to determine how satisfied respondents are with the trash, recycling and yard waste services they receive. Almost 65 percent of respondents were either satisfied or very satisfied with waste removal service in the Township, while almost 20 percent were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with waste removal service. Less than 13 percent of respondents were unsatisfied or very unsatisfied with waste removal service. Respondents were most satisfied with the collection day (58.4%), recycling collection (50.4%) and service (40%). Respondents were least satisfied with bulk pick up (26%), service (11%), and the amount of waste collected (9.6%). Respondents were given an opportunity to provide their own answers to this question. Sixty‐nine responses were given to the satisfaction question, while 300 comments were received on the question asking about dissatisfaction. The full text of these comments can be found in Appendices B and C.

Q4. On a scale of 1-5, how satisfied are you with your current trash, recycling and yard waste removal service (choose one)?


Response Count

1 Very Satisfied 19.05% 1842 Satisfied 45.45% 4393 Neutral 19.67% 1904 Unsatisfied 7.66% 745 Very Unsatisfied 4.87% 47No answer 3.31% 32


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Eleven respondents said they liked the leaf and yard waste collection offered. Forty‐five generally positive comments were received with regard to cost and service provided. More than 30 respondents cited cost as a significant concern, while 120 said service was not satisfactory. Another 130 comments offered general areas of concern, such as bulk pick up, items collected, yard waste, general cleanliness, amount collected and communication.

Q5. What do you like about your current trash, recycling and yard waste removal service (you may check more than one)?


Response Count

Number of collections per week 34.27% 331 Collection day 58.39% 564 Amount of waste collected 35.71% 345 Service 39.96% 386 Bulk pick up 11.28% 109 Recyclable collection 50.41% 487 Christmas tree collection 20.29% 196 No answer 10.46% 101 Comments 69


Q6. What do you dislike about your trash, recycling and yard waste removal service (you may check more than one)?


Response Count



Questions 7 – 8: Trash and Recycling These questions were asked to determine how much trash is generated by each household and if they would like to have additional waste removal pick ups. Question 7, which asked how many bags of trash residents generate each week may be slightly flawed because it seems that some residents may have mistook bags for cans. That being said, nearly 85% of respondents said they were within the Township four can/ four bag requirement. Nearly 60% of respondents stated that they would not like to have another pick up day per week added to the schedule. Many respondents stated that an additional day would be nice, but only if it did not cost them anymore.

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When asked about recycling, 61% of respondents stated that they fill up one small (14 gallon) recycling container or less per week. About one‐third of respondents stated that they fill more than one small recycling container each week. Additional comments with regard to recycling are provided in Appendix D.

Q8. If trash service were provided two days per week, would you use it?


Response Count

Yes 36.54% 353 No 59.52% 575 No answer 3.93% 38


Q9. How much recycling do you generate each week?


Response Count

Less than one small Township recycling container or equivalent (14 gallons) 23.29% 225

One full small Township recycling container or equivalent (14 gallons) 37.99% 367 Less than one large Township recycling container or equivalent (24 gallons) 7.76% 75

One full large Township recycling container or equivalent (24 gallons) 15.11% 146

More than one full large Township container or equivalent 11.49% 111 No answer 4.35% 42 Comments 49


Q7. In the space of one week (seven days), how many bags of trash do you generate, on average?


Response Count

1 20.19% 1952 29.81% 2883 18.12% 1754 16.15% 1565 4.55% 446 4.24% 417 1.45% 148 1.24% 129 0.52% 510 0.62% 6More than 10 0.62% 6No answer 2.48% 24


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Questions 10 – 11: Bulk Items Nearly 35% of respondents do not generate any bulk items, while another 34% generate one or two items each year. Almost 25% of the respondents generate 3 or more bulk items each year. When asked if bulk removal should be provided in the contract or as a pay per item charge that is currently in existence, 66% of respondents stated that the Township should continue with the pay per item requirement. While it is not evident in the results provided, many of the respondents who would generate 3 or more bulk items per year responded that they would like to see bulk pick ups provided in the contract. Additionally, there were many comments requesting an annual Clean Up Day, where residents could place bulk items at the curb for collection.

Q10. How many bulk items do you generate, on average, in one year (furniture, appliances)?


Response Count

0 34.37% 332 1 18.01% 174 2 16.36% 158 3 10.04% 97 4 6.31% 61 5 3.52% 34 6 to 10 2.48% 24 More than 10 2.17% 21 No answer 6.73% 65


Q11. Would you like bulk items to be included with your pick up costs, or pay per item ($20 per item, per current contract)?


Response Count

Include with trash contract 26.92% 260 Pay per item 66.46% 642 No answer 6.63% 64


Questions 12 – 17: Christmas Trees and Yard Waste These questions were designed to determine the respondents’ thoughts on yard waste recycling to determine whether they are happy with things as they are or if things could be changed to make things more convenient for them. Some of the options provided would cost additional money or might require additional effort on the part of residents, so residents were asked questions to determine their tolerance to these things. About 43% of respondents preferred to have Christmas trees picked up curbside, while nearly 54% of respondents preferred to have yard waste picked up curbside. Thirty‐two percent of respondents would

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like to see a drop off location for Christmas trees and for yard waste, as well as having them picked up curbside. A majority of residents (67.7%) seemed comfortable with the once monthly yard waste collection. However, for those residents that would like to see a drop off location, they do not want to travel far (35% said they would travel less than 5

miles) and they do not want to pay extra for that convenience (76%). What this says is that Township residents would probably use a drop off location for leaf and yard waste; however, it would

need to be within the Township boundaries, or very close, and it would have to be free for residents to drop off waste. The survey also asked respondents to rank their preferences for collection of leaf and yard waste to determine if the 30 gallon paper bags were working. A strong majority supported keeping the paper bags, while composting in residents’ yards was the second choice, followed by raking leaves curbside.

Q15. How far are you willing to travel for a place to drop off yard waste and Christmas trees?


Response Count

One mile or less 20.60% 199 Less than 5 miles 35.40% 342 Less than 10 miles 11.18% 108 Less than 15 miles 3.21% 31 Not willing to travel/No answer 29.61% 286


Q12. Would you prefer Christmas trees to be picked up as they are currently (during the four Mondays in January) or would you prefer the Township to provide a drop off location for trees?


Response Count

Pick up Christmas trees at my curb 42.96% 415Provide drop off location for trees 20.08% 194Both 11.90% 115No answer 25.05% 242


Q13. Does once per month yard waste collection (1st Monday of the month) meet your needs?


Response Count

Yes 67.70% 654No 16.87% 163No answer 15.42% 149


Q14. Do you prefer to have yard waste picked up at your curb or would you like a place to drop off yard waste?


Response Count

Pick up yard waste at my curb 53.62% 518Provide drop off location for yard waste 15.42% 149Both 17.39% 168No answer 13.56% 131


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Q16. Would you be willing to pay an additional fee to drop off yard waste and Christmas trees?


Response Count

Yes 10.77% 104 No 76.09% 735 No answer 13.15% 127


Q17. How would you prefer to have leaf and yard waste collected (please rank in order of preference)?

Answer Options 0 1 2 3 4 5 6Response Count

Total Count

Weighted Count

Rake leaves to curbside 643 182 55 38 23 19 6 966 323 1632Use plastic container 674 77 85 80 33 17 0 966 292 1340Use 30 gallon paper bags (available from Township and other locations) 538 221 93 75 21 14 4 966 428 2186Local drop off point 682 71 57 40 62 49 5 966 284 1160Compost in my yard 603 215 34 17 38 58 1 966 363 1759I don't have yard waste 753 152 6 2 2 0 51 966 213 1007No answer 932 34 0 0 0 0 0 966 34 204 Questions 18 – 19: Paying for Trash Recycling and Yard Waste Removal Services The purpose of these questions was to determine how much residents are willing to pay for waste removal services and how they would like them paid for. The overwhelming response to this survey is that residents are very cost conscious. Nearly 37% of the respondents said they do not want to pay more than $100 for waste removal services, while almost 24 percent said they would pay between $100 and $149 for the service. This number is significant because it is close to the amount being charged to residents currently ($142 per year). As the cost of waste removal services increased, respondents expressed a proportionately inverse reaction to supporting additional payments for waste removal services.

Q18. How much are you willing to pay for trash, recycling and yard waste removal service?


Response Count

Under $100 36.75% 355$100-$149 23.81% 230$150-$199 9.63% 93$200-$249 5.59% 54$250-$299 6.00% 58$300-$349 1.35% 13$350-$399 0.41% 4$400-$449 0.52% 5More than $450 0.31% 3No answer 15.63% 151


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Respondents were then asked how they would like to pay for waste removal services. Nearly 30% of respondents stated that they would support putting the cost of waste removal services back into their taxes, even if it means a tax increase. Fifteen percent did not like any of the options proposed while almost 14% supported being billed for the entire cost of waste removal services if the Township contracted out. Surprisingly, only 11% stated that they would like to choose their own hauler. Responses to Question 19 may not be accurate as the question was confusing due to limited space and the number of options. It is highly likely that responses were unfairly skewed toward the response that residents would like to see the costs of waste removal absorbed back into their tax bill.

Q19. How would you like to pay for trash, recycling and yard waste removal service?

Answer Options Response Percent Response Count

I would like the Township to contract out for trash, recycling and yard waste removal services and to include the full cost of these services in my taxes, even if it means a tax increase. 29.92% 289 I would like the Township to contract out for trash, recycling and yard waste removal services and the Township/Hauler should bill me for 25% of the cost of these services, even if it means a tax increase. 4.66% 45 I would like the Township to contract out for trash, recycling and yard waste removal services and the Township/Hauler should bill me for 50% of the cost of these services, even if it means a tax increase. 4.76% 46 I would like the Township to contract out for trash, recycling and yard waste removal services and the Township/Hauler should bill me for 75% of the cost of these services, even if it means a tax increase. 0.41% 4 I would like the Township to contract out for trash, recycling and yard waste removal services and the Township/Hauler should bill me for 100% of the cost of these services. 13.77% 133 I would like to be able to choose my own trash, recycling and yard waste removal service provider and I would like to pay for 100% of these services. 11.28% 109 I would like to choose my own trash hauler, but have the Township contract out for recycling and yard waste removal service (curbside yard waste removal service would be include in my taxes). 3.21% 31 No answer. 16.56% 160 Did not like any of the options. 15.42% 149


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Question 20: Type of Service Because staff has had many comments from seniors who say they should not pay the same price for waste removal because they do not have as much trash as their neighbors who put out the maximum, this question was designed to ask residents to rank their preferences for the type of service. Overwhelmingly, respondents supported the four bag/can limit, followed by removing the limits. Given the large number of respondents who were in the older age bracket, staff thought a pay‐per‐bag program would be supported much more strongly.

Q20. If the Township were to continue to provide trash, recycling, and yard waste removal service, please rank the following service options in order of preference for trash removal:

Answer Options 0 1 2 3Response Count

Total Count

Weighted Count

The current four bag/four can limit is acceptable to me. 197 647 117 5 966 769 2180Remove limits on the amount of waste accepted. 559 164 146 97 966 407 881Pay per bag set out at the curb. 598 85 72 211 966 368 610No answer. 933 33 0 0 966 33 99


Question 21: Comments A full listing of comments is provided in Appendix E for your review. Respondents had a lot to say, running the gamut of topics with regard to waste removal, as more than 400 comments were received.

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APPENDIX B

COMMENTS FROM QUESTION 5

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Appendix B: Comments for Q5. What do you like about your current trash, recycling and yard waste removal service?



# answered question 966 Comments:

# Categories Other (please specify) 1 Critical Don't use bulk or Christmas tree. 2 Critical current price and billing rotation 3 Critical Need larger bins. 4 Critical It's just a service. Charge accordingly. 5 Critical I feel like I pay for limited service. 6 Critical nothing 7 Critical Not a thing 8 Critical Nothing. 9 Critical Would like every other week.

10 Critical Used to have 2 collection days. 11 Critical Necessary evil. 12 Critical Necessary evil. 13 Critical Nothing. 14 Critical nothing 15 Critical sloppy workmanship 16 Critical Nothing. 17 Critical Don't like or dislike. 18 Critical Nothing 19 Critical Christmas tree collection - not needed for me! 20 Critical I wish we still had clean up week. 21 Critical Old TVs. 22 Critical Collection day doesn't matter. 23 Critical big trash once a year 24 Critical None of the above. 25 Critical Should have a day for bulk pick up and not get charged. 26 Critical Nothing special. 27 Expensive None too expensive. 28 Expensive Cost is too high!!!!

29 New Information Just found out bulk pick up was available.

30 New Do we have bulk pick up?

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Information

31 New Information Did not know about bulk pick up.

32 New Information Bulk pick up -is here?

33 New Information When is bulk pick up day?

34 New Information Bulk pick up - didn't know about it.

35 Positive Mascaro does a good job. 36 Positive Trash men are very polite 37 Positive Satisfied with trash. 38 Positive Keep things as they are!!

39 Positive I like the fact that my trash collection and recycling come on the same day.

40 Positive Great guys for the service. 41 Positive All is okay. 42 Positive All of the above. 43 Positive There is nothing outstanding. It is what I expect. 44 Positive service is dependable 45 Positive I have no problems with things the way they are. 46 Positive trash men are very polite 47 Positive Will pick up larger items without charging.

48 Positive

It's a bargain. Note: You stated in your letter $142/yr. is current cost. I've been paying over $400/yr. You better check your records.

49 Positive They do not leave trash in the street. 50 Positive Only 1 (collection) is good. 51 Positive No complaints! Thanks guys! 52 Positive very satisfied with all collection 53 Positive the collectors are very courteous

54 Positive Trash cans, lids, recycle containers left on curb - not thrown in street. Thank you!

55 Positive bulk pick up: call hauler to pick up; pay additional 56 Positive Taking care of the containers. They keep them out of the road. 57 Yard Waste Leaf collection 58 Yard Waste I mulch. 59 Yard Waste There is no yard waste pick up except leaves. 60 Yard Waste Leaf and limb collections. 61 Yard Waste monthly leaf/yard waste 62 Yard Waste leaf collection 63 Yard Waste Yard removal. 64 Yard Waste Leaf collection 65 Yard Waste Leaf collection. 66 Yard Waste Leaf collection. 67 Yard Waste Leaves pick up. 68 Yard Waste Leaf collection. 69 Yard Waste Yard waste.

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APPENDIX C


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Appendix C: Comments for Q6. What do you dislike about your current trash, recycling and yard waste removal service?




# Categories Other (please specify)

1 Cost Expensive. 2 Cost Too expensive 3 Cost (Don’t like paying for bulk items... otherwise would be "Very Satisfied"). 4 Cost Cost. 5 Cost Price of trash recycling keeps going up and I don't use it! 6 Cost Don't have yard waste, but still have to pay for the service. 7 Cost Expensive! 8 Cost Paying for leaf collection

9 Cost Amount of waste NOT collected. $6,000 taxes & trash fees - I can't easily get rid of bulk items.

10 Cost I hate you charge us for trash/recycling when it used to be included in our more than adequate taxes.

11 Cost COST= now about $6 per bag!! 12 Cost cost 13 Cost cost? no inflation? 14 Cost cost. 15 Cost Cost. Go with someone cheaper. 16 Cost Fee. It as $50, now it is up to $71 twice per year.

17 Cost

A fee to collect leaves - plus buy bags to do it. I personally use leaves as mulch in flower beds/garden and am still charged a flat fee. More money to be put out to survive on.

18 Cost cost

19 Cost

Satisfied with current service. Not happy about recent price increase. Read Lower Pottsgrove had $46,000 in recyclables so why is cost increasing if recyclables bringing in such a large revenue for our Township.

20 Cost Cost. 21 Cost Charges/fees. 22 Cost Too expensive. 23 Cost Cost for 1 person is same as for 5! 24 Cost Price per use.

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25 Cost Cost. 26 Cost Increase in bill 27 Cost Cost 28 Cost Cost of leaf collection we don't use. 29 Cost Price increases. 30 Critical yard waste removal service - less pick up in winter more in summer 31 Critical There should be pick up for big items once a year.

32 Critical Wish cardboard and other items were collected. Pottstown Boro recycling accepts a lot more variety of items.

33 Critical Hazardous waste pick up.

34 Critical

Leaf collection-we've had to call because they left the bags. I also don't like paying for the service whether you use it or not. We never bagged leaves before this year but now do since we're paying for it.

35 Critical Need to publicize to public what and when to pick up. 36 Critical I don't think there should be a maximum amount of bags or cans 37 Critical Need a new recycle bin 38 Critical We have no bulk pickup unless we pay extra. 39 Critical We have no yard waste, it should only be collected in the warm months. 40 Critical Amount of waste allowed following a holiday.

41 Critical

Unsatisfied with recycling. How much more money does this extra payment generate per household in Township. I would like to know why we have to pay for trash when it is supposed to be included in taxes.

42 Critical need to collect corrugated cardboard 43 Critical Don't use yard waste collection and don't like paying for something I don't use. 44 Critical Do not like having to call to make arrangements. 45 Critical no bulk pick up, no wood pick up 46 Critical trash on street at times, no notice for x-mas trees 47 Critical No burning restrictions.

48 Critical

I average 1 bag per week, but if one week I have 6 or 7 bags, I need to pay extra. No credit for all the weeks had less then 4 bags. Have to pay extra for them to take a broken step ladder or other object that could be easily thrown into the truck.

49 Critical The bins are too small. 50 Critical Yard waste.

51 Critical Can't get rid of grass clippings maybe yard waste 2 times a month March-October.

52 Critical We do NOT have bulk pick up. 53 Critical I would like to have a bulk clean up day (1 per year) 54 Critical no recycling area for large items. i.e. tree limbs and branches. 55 Critical paper yard sacks do not hold up waiting for one month + pick up. 56 Critical yard waste clippings not being picked up more than once per month. 57 Critical No cardboard recycling! 58 Critical we don't get bulk pick up unless we call and are then charged again. 59 Critical Didn't know there was a bulk pick up. 60 Critical No bulk pick up 61 Critical Time of pickup is not very consistent 62 Critical Would like card board recycling. 63 Critical Yard waste

64 Critical Need 2 collections in summer. Collection day - not on Sun. Bulk pick up - none. Recyclable - have to check #, no cardboard boxes.

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65 Critical How you are screwing the people due to the stupid leaf collection and the bill since our taxes were to pay for the collection.

66 Critical

The current recycling and yard waste bill is in my opinion a bogus bill when we first moved here our yard waste was included in our water and sewer bill and the two waters bills, one from the borough of Pottstown and one from Lower Pottsgrove have never been explained.

67 Critical leaf collection 68 Critical No corrugated cardboard recycling. 69 Critical Need a place to drop off yard waste 70 Critical recycle bin is too small 71 Critical frequency of leaf collection 72 Critical I'm not informed of other pick ups! 73 Critical Yard trash only once a month. 74 Critical Would like every other week. 75 Critical need to recycle more items 76 Critical we need a bulk pick up day 77 Critical cannot put out cardboard or large items

78 Critical 1. want combined recycling2. want unlimited bulk pick up included

79 Critical should pay per bag

80 Critical I need to purchase a new recycle bin when the collectors are the ones who damage the bin!

81 Critical Need leaf/branch/yard waste recycle location 82 Critical will not pick up cardboard boxes even if I tied and stack as recyclable 83 Critical should be at least 2 a month May - October 84 Critical summertime collection more than once per week

85 Critical Number of collections and amount of waste collected should increase. Bulk pick up should be free (included).

86 Critical Twice a week in June thru September. 87 Critical No bulk pick up. 88 Critical Each bag is scrutinized for "yard waste" ! etc. 89 Critical Each bag is scrutinized for "yard waste" ! etc. 90 Critical not having spring or fall general clean up or bulk collection for everyone. 91 Critical Do not have yard waste but have to pay. 92 Critical Are not taking tree branches recently.

93 Critical Comments from your garbage men to my wife on one occasion! The fact I have to pay $.50 for leaf bags!

94 Critical The neighborhood is very messy on Sunday. 95 Critical Not picking up yard clippings. 96 Critical I wasn't aware that was available and do not know who to contact. 97 Critical No large trash removal. 98 Critical want single source recycling 99 Critical Would like corrugated cardboard and pizza box collected and recycled.

100 Critical Cost of yard recycle and inconsistent treatment of things like cardboard. 101 Critical We have no bulk service 102 Critical leaf pick up should be more than once a month 103 Critical 71.00 x 2 times a year for what 104 Critical it would be nice to have a large trash can like the one issued in Upper Pottsgrove. 105 Critical Recycle bucket too small. 106 Critical Rule on yard waste. Recyclable collection- open containers allow recycles to blow

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all over. Recyclers leave dropped items behind.

107 Critical Being charged for service I don't use like leaf disposal. 108 Critical They should supply lg. cans. 109 Critical bulk pick up should be once every month. could use a larger recycling container. 110 Critical Charge? Why not once/month w/out charges? 111 Critical 1 per month yard waste... leaves etc. 112 Critical No bulk pick up. Not satisfied with yard waste removal service. 113 Critical Yard waste collection.

114 Critical I'm missed about 5 times a year. Being charged for yard waste service that I've never used in 33 years.

115 Critical Yard waste. 116 Critical Bulk pick up -- why do we have to pay?

117 Critical

yard waste removal service isn’t needed. It should be treated like bulk items and paid for with an additional fee and not included in the normal trash & recycling contract.

118 Critical household items that fall into the trash category that they will not pick up. 119 Critical Only allowing 4 containers 120 Critical Yard leaf collection should be more often. 121 Critical trash has to go out Sunday night. day of collection Monday.

122 Critical Trappe, Royersford and Other communities have a bulk yard/tree waste area you drop off for free!

123 Critical Not used. 124 Critical Would like larger containers 125 Critical Make it easier for stick/twigs and grass removal (leaves). 126 Critical Should reinstate having a clean up week including bulk items like the past 127 Critical Mon. 128 Critical Only once a month removal for yard clippings. 129 Critical 1 or 2 or 3. 130 Critical No clean up week.

131 Critical

We should be able to put out reasonable sized "extra" items at no charge -vacuums, microwaves, strollers, large toys. Many friends in other parts of Montgomery County that can literally put out anything, like a mattress, at no charge.

132 Critical Need 2 per year. 133 Critical There is no bulk pick up. 134 Critical We need bulk pick up at least twice a year! 135 Critical bulk pick up - don't have. 136 Critical All recyclables should be collected. 137 Critical not take everything - i.e. tires etc, yard waste - grass 138 Critical No curbside leaf service. 139 Critical No bulk pick up. Should be 1 X a year.

140 Critical

Bulk pick up - there is none unless we pay for each item. I don't have leaves - I mulch them but still pay for it.

141 Critical Scrub collection. Need more than once a month. 142 Critical Bulk pick up -- there is none. 143 Critical would like more frequent pick up during the season 144 Critical Free bulk pick up twice a year. 145 Critical Service - pick up times vary highly 146 Critical More Bulk - less leaf pick up.

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147 Critical Leaves in paper bags. 148 Critical there is no center to take tree branches and waste to 149 Critical Yard waste removal. 150 Critical Don't use tree collection 151 Critical Cardboard could be collected. 152 Critical Can't recycle everything. 153 Critical They don't pick up cardboard with recycling. 154 Critical Bulk pick up expensive. Not always sure when yard waste pick up is scheduled. 155 Critical No yard waste drop off. 156 Critical I put my leaves in my back acreage to decompose and compost 157 Critical Yard waste collections. 158 Positive Everything is ok. 159 Positive You do just fine. Don't change. 160 Positive nothing. I am completely satisfied. 161 Positive let it alone. 162 Positive So far so good. 163 Positive Pretty satisfied. 164 Positive All is okay. 165 Positive Nothing. 166 Positive N/A 167 Positive Nothing. 168 Positive Things are okay. 169 Positive I am happy! 170 Positive Unaware. 171 Positive None. 172 Positive Nothing. 173 Positive Satisfied with present arrangement. 174 Positive None. 175 Positive None. 176 Positive No dislikes. 177 Positive Present service works fine. 178 Positive nothing - good service 179 Positive None. 180 Positive I am not dissatisfied w/current service. 181 Positive N/A great service! 182 Service Yard waste often not picked up. 183 Service workers regularly block my driveway by throwing containers

184 Service They throw the trash can and recycle bin. They break and we have to pay to replace them!

185 Service They haven't always fully emptied my cans and cost has increased almost 10%. 186 Service garbage cannot always totally emptied and left in the middle of driveway. 187 Service Sometimes recycle is not picked up. 188 Service Trash left on street after pick up.

189 Service sloppy handling of trash - spilt paint and other trash on driveway and street and no attempt to clean up

190 Service

No stick/grass clipping removal they damaged my recycle bin and yet I have to pay for a new one., They drop recycling items and don't pick them up. They also dropped leaves and didn't clean it up!

191 Service Sometimes they are not careful with my can. It was left in street and damaged by a car. Occasionally they don't get all trash out of my can and have to keep

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another week.

192 Service Some trash left behind on street. 193 Service Container abuse/breakage. Cans left in street.

194 Service

service - could be 6am or 6pm never knowbulk - can't get anyone to call back! recycle - why all residents are not doing this and nobody questions it?

195 Service It's just a service.

196 Service sometimes if we leave cardboard boxes out trash men don't take them saying its for recyling and the recycling men wont take them and say it's for trash.

197 Service Break trash cans and recycle bins by throwing them all the time.

198 Service Leave stuff behind, throw cansbulk pick up -When?

199 Service no communication/schedule/date 200 Service They have missed my trash already. 201 Service Service- Often very careless throwing barrels and bins everywhere. 202 Service Cans and bins thrown by collectors.

203 Service Trash cans and recycle bins put in middle of driveway and sometimes thrown in ditch (4 feet down).

204 Service They throw the cans and don't clean up. 205 Service I hate when they throw can lids next to white line where it blows right on the road. 206 Service cans dropped on or near road 207 Service Sometimes have to call for missed pick up. 208 Service Workers leave trash thrown in street. 209 Service Do not take yard waste. 210 Service They drop a lot of trash. 211 Service Do not take branches, sticks, etc. 212 Service Recycling bins keep getting broken by collectors. 213 Service Holiday Monday pickup uncertainty 214 Service Glass and trash dropped on road 215 Service Picking through it. 216 Service They leave debris in street 217 Service occasional non-pickup 218 Service some spilling on street

219 Service cans left in middle of road, paying extra for large item when its collected w reg. trash

220 Service sometimes I am not sure why a recycle item is not taken 221 Service If recyclable comes first, they take my small bag of trash or not at all (not often). 222 Service Can be sloppy. I find trash in street on pick up day. 223 Service Rough treatment of recycle bin.

224 Service my trash cans are frequently left lying in the street which is a road hazard -especially since I live on a busy street

225 Service Need better people. Rude. 226 Service they throw the can 227 Service they keep breaking the recycle bin by throwing it 228 Service trash left in street that collectors drop 229 Service could be neater 230 Service they throw my cans into and block my driveway 231 Service No trash can offered and they have destroyed the one i use already

232 Service 1) their decision on whether to take the trash even if within 4 container limit2)their decision they dislike the recycle container so they don't take it

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275 Service Have to pay for large items. They are messy and dump trash on the ground and leave it.

276 Service Trash all over the street. 277 Service Damage shrubbery and destroy new trash cans all the time 278 Service tired of cans being left on the road 279 Service They complain if you have more than 4 bags. 280 Service Guys always drop recyclables and leaves to blow down the street and in my yard. 281 Service Throw recycling all over driveway 282 Service inconsistent time pick up. rude pick up people. 283 Service inconsistent pick up time. 284 Service Amount of trash left on my front lawn. 285 Service Don’t always empty trash cans well enough. 286 Service Trash left on street. 287 Service Most of the time I have to pick up trash when they leave. 288 Service careless handling of trash cans; dropped trash is left on ground. 289 Service Missed pick ups. 290 Service Yard waste removal doesn't always pick up.

291 Service I don't understand why the time they pick up varies from morning to noon or afternoon.

292 Service Bags are left in the bottom of trash can, trash and debris left in the street and lids/cans are thrown about after emptied.

293 Service Items not collected! 294 Service They leave trash in street. 295 Service Sometimes it never gets picked up. 296 Service They throw cans anywhere and leave trash for me to clean up. 297 Service Not placing trash cans back appropriately.

298 Service Service: throw cans wherever and break them.Bulk Pick Up: have to pay and should not. We pay enough money.

299 Service The guys are a little careless sometimes leaving litter on the street. 300 Service The way they throw recycle bins.

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233 Service if the hauler wouldn't throw the recycle bins into the street then they wouldn't break as easily especially in very cold temps.

234 Service Frequently our garbage cans are thrown into the street and smashed. We need a bigger recycling bin.

235 Service Should have bulk pick up. The men spill it into the street and don't clean it up. 236 Service They leave trash in the cans.

237 Service Plastic bags, etc. blow out of the truck every week. Paying extra for it, we pay enough taxes. We should never have to pay extra.

238 Service Cans are thrown, trash is left on road/sidewalk. 239 Service very shoddy work. 240 Service my trash and recyclables were missed a few times. 241 Service Late afternoon pick up. 242 Service Throwing cans around. 243 Service Leave loose trash on street. 244 Service Mix up trash and recyclables and do not remove all trash from receptacle. 245 Service Misplacing and damaging trash cans and bins. 246 Service Throw trash cans & lids and don't empty them totally. 247 Service They destroyed my trash cans and recycle bins. 248 Service No bulk pick up. Miss my recycling can. I find my trash cans in the street. 249 Service Trash cans put in street. 250 Service Have had a lot of issues with them not taking my garbage. 251 Service Leave thrash and recyclables behind on street and in yard. 252 Service They don't empty out trash cans all the way. 253 Service The way they handle trash bins. 254 Service Not having lids put back on trash cans when emptied and them being thrown.

255 Service

bulk pick up is too complicated. the hauler throws the cans - two were broken and went through the process of the hauler reimbursing us. The process went fine, but it was not necessary.

256 Service Trash cans sometimes left on road! 257 Service trash and recycling containers frequently get damaged.

258 Service Our trash is "thrown" and almost every week there is trash or recycling in the street.

259 Service Collectors often leave a mess. 260 Service sloppy - leave trash/recycling in street 261 Service There is always a stream of trash left behind 262 Service Leave trash cans in middle of driveway. 263 Service They don't put trash cans away for us. LOL. 264 Service Leave cans in the street.

265 Service We don't have bulk pick up. Trash collection is very sloppy. They leave trash on the ground.

266 Service Don't pick up trash at times. 267 Service Less tossing of cans and lids would be nice.

268 Service container breakage; containers thrown in yard with waste still in them and on the yard.

269 Service Boxes left at the curb for over 2 weeks. 270 Service Driving in our grass out front around cul-de-sac. 271 Service Constant breakage of recycle bins and trash cans. 272 Service Trash left all over and not picked up and throw cans all over the place.

273 Service I have had times when regular pickup left items for recycle by recycle didn't take either. It has to be one or the other and it wasn't bulk.

274 Service Trash not always picked up.

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APPENDIX D


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Appendix D: Comments for Q9. How much recycling do you generate each week?


Less than one small Township recycling container or equivalent (14 gallons) 23.29% 225

One full small Township recycling container or equivalent (14 gallons) 37.99% 367

Less than one large Township recycling container or equivalent (24 gallons) 7.76% 75

One full large Township recycling container or equivalent (24 gallons) 15.11% 146

More than one full large Township container or equivalent 11.49% 111 No answer 4.35% 42 Comments 49


# Other (please specify)

1 5 gallons. 2 Every time I put out a recycle bin someone steals it. EVERY TIME! Plus the bin is too small. 3 I do not recycle 4 1 bag papers & books 5 About a 5 gal. container. 6 More over the holidays. 7 only given small container - would recycle more if large container 8 Sometimes more. 9 One of each: glass / plastic and paper

10

I am on my third recycling bin. One was stolen, the second one was carelessly thrown on the drive, blew down the street. I personally saw a Sears truck smash it to smithereens. They don't have the sense to put the bin face down on the grass so they wouldn't blow away.

11 1 paper bag - newspapers approx every other pick up 12 1 large container I got at Kmart 13 Usually 3 14 5 gallons 15 I only put recycling out 2 or 3 times a month. 16 2 small 17 two small twp containers. 18 about two gallons 19 two small containers 20 recycling container we have 21 Every three weeks 22 Need larger container 23 Take recyclables to Recycling Services, Inc. about once/mo. or 6 wks. 24 Plastic and glass overflow box container. Separate large paper box. 25 at least 2 big containers/bins

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26 Trash can filled. 27 I have more recycle items than trash 28 Please supply larger bins. Also bins for paper would be great. 29 I take all my other to recycling center - cardboard, styrofoam, batteries, etc. 30 14 gallon every other week 31 2 small bins for paper, 2 of your largest cans for recycling. 32 2 full small township containers (14 gallons) 33 did not know larger sized containers were available. 34 2 full containers 35 I also have one paper bag full of paper waste 36 Would like a larger container. Only have small red container. 37 Every 3 weeks 38 less than half 39 Would have more if cardboard was accepted. 40 1 box. 41 service only sometimes picks up recyclables so I no longer sort. 42 2 small containers 43 More than full 44 Usually 1 container every 2 weeks. 45 2 full large Township containers. We recycle as much as possible. 46 Plus One bag of paper 47 Less than 1 per month. 48 1 can/bottle container and 1 recycled paper container 49 It takes me 3 or 4 weeks to fill my container.

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APPENDIX E

COMMENTS FROM QUESTION 21 FREE RESPONSE

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Q1. Please provide us with any additional comments you would like us to consider in developing the trashcontract.

truck and have a community compost/mulch site. I realize that expenses havegone up over the last 9 yrs but in that amt of time our sewer/trash/recycling hasdoubled from $89 to nearly $200 combined. This is ridiculous.

13 The township should mail out to property owner what they are allowed to use forpay a trash recycling collection tax. In 35 years I still don't know what you candiscard.

Jul 14, 2011 8:45 AM

14 Don't use this service. Very little. Jul 14, 2011 8:41 AM

15 Repeat! Stop throwing the trash cans and recycle bin. They break - we have topay to replace them. Mostly the recycle bin!!!

Jul 14, 2011 8:38 AM

16 See 18. One bill for all township services PLEASE. This twice yearly billing fortrash does not make sense. I understand why you did it, but when you multi-thousand dollar school tax bills with high percentage increases every year. Ithink we can all accept the payment in one lump sum for the quality of twownshipservices you provide. you do a good job. Please keep it up!

Jul 14, 2011 8:36 AM

17 Pay per bag of trash. Township sell tags for pick up. Jul 14, 2011 8:33 AM

18 I like that other Townships have a drop off place for yard waste. I think that isimportant. However, I think it would have to pay for itself not through tax dollars.Otherwise don't do it.

Jul 14, 2011 8:30 AM

19 Best deal possible to pass on to the taxpayer. Jul 14, 2011 8:26 AM

20 I would like a bulk pick up day per month included in fee. Jul 14, 2011 8:24 AM

21 I will compost Christmas tree and yard waste. Would like to burn. Jul 14, 2011 8:24 AM

22 When the individual pays for trash, trash gets dumped in other places - indistrialsits, trail bins, friend's house etc. rather than the individual paying.

Jul 14, 2011 8:19 AM

23 #12 thru #15. Don't use. #19. Cost shd go down, no billing expense. #21.Contain cost. Charge for trash, recycling & yard waste separately. Why shd wepay for services we don't need or use? Please let us know survey results.

Jul 14, 2011 8:19 AM

24 Basically satisfied with service as it is. However bulk service would be nice. Evenif once or twice a year. How does bulk pick up impact the price of the contract.$20 per item reasonable if it keeps contract price down.

Jul 14, 2011 8:12 AM

25 20. I would like to see this enforced. 21. I would like to see it be mandatory torecycle. Many people are not.

Jul 14, 2011 8:11 AM

26 19. There is no good answer. Not enough information for such an urgentquestion.

Jul 14, 2011 8:09 AM

27 I wish their was a container of some type for paper recycling. Sm. pieces of junkmail are hard to bundle and we don't have many paper bags on hand. Thankyou.

Jul 14, 2011 8:08 AM

28 I would not mind contracting for my own pickup if it means lower taxes Jul 14, 2011 8:07 AM

29 Keep it the way it is now. Jul 14, 2011 8:05 AM

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30 Need bulk pick up. Stop it with the tax increase, you're killin the middle class.Mascaro trash does a great job.

Jul 14, 2011 8:04 AM

31 No tax increase needed!!!! Jul 14, 2011 8:03 AM

32 19. Can't answer without knowing actual tax impact. Property taxes areexorbitant now.

Jul 14, 2011 8:01 AM

33 18. I'd rather pay more for trash and less real estate tax. Jul 14, 2011 7:58 AM

34 I do not even use yard waste collection. We have no yard waste that fits in bags.Leaves & garbage are composted as per Lower Pottsgrove law. Drop off for yardwaste is least costly to Township. Get rid of bi-annual fees. Grass & leavesshould be used as mulch and compost by the homeowner. The Township couldrun a compost area for those with no use for mulch/compost. Many communitieschip Christmas trees and such yard waste at a chipping center. These chips canbe used at public parks or grounds or made available to homeowners. It isridiculous to have leaf pick up year round. If extra charges are necessary theyshd be included in taxes so we can use it as part of itemized deductions.

Jul 14, 2011 7:55 AM

35 I don't want to pay for same cost as other who exceed the limit. I don't havemuch trash or recycling so therefore I don't want to pay a huge bill. Bulk - willrarely use.

Jul 14, 2011 7:54 AM

36 The trash collectors need to be neater and more areful with our cans. They havedamaged two of our containers

Jul 14, 2011 7:51 AM

37 We would like to pay the least amount we have to. Once a week p/u is fine. Ourrecycle container could be bigger. if people have bulk items they should pay peritem not including our fee.

Jul 14, 2011 7:46 AM

38 We can't burn in our township and yet you don't take sticks. What am I supposedto do with them?

Jul 14, 2011 7:43 AM

39 think it should be you pay per bag since we only have 1 bag every two/threeweeks OR I could choose my own and take it to my daughter's residence.

Jul 14, 2011 7:39 AM

40 #11. Include with trash contract if no addtl costs are added. Pay per item if ratesincrease. #12. If no additional costs. #21. No more tax increases please. Toavoid further financial strain on taxpayers in this difficult economy, no furthertrash burdens or increases should be made.

Jul 14, 2011 7:36 AM

41 8. If you stop listing everything you can't throw away which is everything exceptgarbage 11. You should have bulk pick up twice a year included in our price $20and item when it was $10 and that was high. 21. we need to have bulk p/u oncea year and be able to burn in a barrel wood. If yu have land there is not where toget rid of it. Except for bulk and wood, you do a fine job.

Jul 14, 2011 7:36 AM

42 I would like a large recycling bin from the Township. Jul 14, 2011 7:31 AM

43 $20.00 is too much for bulk pick up. Jul 14, 2011 7:25 AM

44 #15. Not interested in drop off at all. #20. If it's 1 x a week, remove limits. Jul 14, 2011 7:21 AM

45 Prices keep going up every year. Services are fine. Don't increase them. Jul 14, 2011 7:18 AM

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46 #11. Depends on how much price would go up. If only $1 or $2 to include w/trashcontract, that would be fine. Any large increase, prefer pay per item.

Jul 14, 2011 7:16 AM

47 Please compost / turn into mulch any yard waste collection. Would like to seethat compost offered to Township residents

Jul 14, 2011 7:14 AM

48 #11. Some items should be included gratis. #16. This stuff can be mulched. #21.I want to pay for what I use only. The current rate seems high for what wegenerate. Use barcode containers and charge by qty. or weight volume. I don'twant to pay for wasteful neighbors' excess trash.

Jul 14, 2011 7:12 AM

49 Trash collection was part of taxes when we first moved in. Then we startedgetting invoices and the increases have been extreme since our lane isresponsible to take trash to the street. It is also frustrating to dodge trash cansthe collectors sling around and they end up in the street.

Jul 14, 2011 7:08 AM

50 #8. The more the trash people handle the containers, the faster they get broken.#11. Don't want to pay for anything we don't use. #12 thru #17. We don't use it,don't charge me. #20. Let everybody pay for the amount they put out. #21. Weshould not be charged as much as our neighbors when they put out 6-10 timesas much trash as we do.

Jul 14, 2011 7:08 AM

51 Fine residents for placing trash/recycling curbside too early - trash/recyclingSHOUL NOT be placed out Saturday night if not being picked up until Mondaymorning. Also, has anyone thought of lids for recycling containers? Tired ofpicking up everyone's plastic bottles in my yard after a windy night.

Jul 14, 2011 7:02 AM

52 18. along with tax increase. Jul 14, 2011 6:36 AM

53 17. If no more cost. 19. Anything that does not cost more. 21. a 1 personhousehold should not pay the same as a neighbor with a pile of kids and largeamount of trash.

Jul 14, 2011 6:26 AM

54 I make little trash as a single person and should not pay as much as peoplecreating many more bags per week. When the household had 6 people once perweek was still sufficient and we never needed more than 3 cans.

Jul 14, 2011 6:20 AM

55 14. Only if it is cheaper to do so 19. Would choose my own if Twp contract gottoo fancy and expensive. 21. Leavit it the way it is. It's fine now and if you gettoo fancy with it, it will also get expensive. That isn'ta good option since allutilites are increasing. I personally dont want to pay for more than what isactually necessary. I'm not asking for freebies, but I don't want to throw hardearned money into additional services that I don't need. Do you know what Imean?

Jul 14, 2011 6:13 AM

56 Provide actual options to residents in a, rather than in generalizations. #12.(option B) if it lowers cost #13. Don't need #16. (Yes) as long as it lowers cost forthose who don't need it.

Jul 13, 2011 1:06 PM

57 I see waste Mat trucks drive oast my house many times on pick up day. Why?They are in the township all day. Why? Schedule specific hours for pick up, notthe whole day -hopefully that written into the contract will cut our rates. #19. NOINCREASE! (on taxes)

Jul 13, 2011 12:58 PM

58 There is no schedule on Mondays when they come so trash or recyclables can Jul 13, 2011 12:48 PM

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be out all day and blowing around. Too much damage to trashcans/recycle binsby contractors. No leaves picked up. Yes for yard work clippings. Not everyonecan afford it. Taxes SO high since moved here 12 years ago. #12. (option B) ifcheaper #17. no bin to compost and can't afford #19. (option A) taxes are toohigh already

59 I would like advertised bulk disposed at curbside. Jul 13, 2011 12:41 PM

60 -improve communication on this and all other services -Improve transparency ofcosts/fee's for the other services -Keep it simple #12. But communicate theservice as we are unaware. #13. But communicate this service as we areanaware.

Jul 13, 2011 12:37 PM

61 I would like to see a location where branches could be disposed of and chippedinto mulch, or sold by the township to defray operating costs. #17. (Rake leavesto curbside) they would just blow around (Use a plastic container) I'd need tostore a plastic container year round #19. (for option A-5) if it is my personal costfor what I put out

Jul 13, 2011 12:31 PM

62 Bigger recycling bins should be provided. #11. ($20 per bulk item) That's crazy Jul 13, 2011 12:21 PM

63 #18. All too high. Jul 13, 2011 12:05 PM

64 Let the household who generates the trash pay the most for the service -Pay perbag-

Jul 13, 2011 12:04 PM

65 I'm very satisfied the way it is. Jul 13, 2011 12:01 PM

66 I almost never have more than one can or bag of trash and one container ofrecyclables.

Jul 13, 2011 11:57 AM

67 Lower rates for seniors -over 65 Jul 13, 2011 11:53 AM

68 Include two pick ups per year for hazardous waste and electronics, making aspecial reference to used batteries.

Jul 13, 2011 11:42 AM

69 I think recylcing bins should be free of charge township should also provide trashbarrels.

Jul 13, 2011 11:39 AM

70 Not sure when bulk pick up is. Jul 13, 2011 11:27 AM

71 Like the current service. Recycle as much as possible. Mail a DETAILED (veryspecific) list of items to be (not to be recycled).

Jul 13, 2011 11:26 AM

72 Taxes are high enough don't want to pay anymore. Jul 13, 2011 11:14 AM

73 Have the trash collectors take Christmas trees and large cardboard boxes without having to call after they are not collected. This has happened many times.Please give us other options besides J.P. Mascaro.

Jul 13, 2011 11:11 AM

74 Four can limit is excessive, most houses use 1-2 cans per week, would be lesscharge then everyone paying for 4 cans.

Jul 13, 2011 11:07 AM

75 Current service lets trash spill out and blow all over neighborhood. Jul 13, 2011 11:01 AM

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76 I prefer to have no changes to the current trash removal. Jul 13, 2011 10:57 AM

77 Would like bulk trash to be picked up with regular trash at anytime. Jul 13, 2011 10:55 AM

78 People who put piles of trash out overflowing and do not recycle should bechraged extra!

Jul 7, 2011 12:14 PM

79 I am very satisfied with current practices. Jul 7, 2011 12:08 PM

80 Please make sure they place the empty cans and recycling bins in the yard, notthe street.

Jul 7, 2011 12:06 PM

81 Reduce limits. Jul 7, 2011 11:52 AM

82 Keep the service and billing the same as currently using -This is a good serviceand a good/fair price.

Jul 7, 2011 11:30 AM

83 Very happy with current situation. Jul 7, 2011 11:27 AM

84 I am happy with current system. -Beverly Nuzzo Jul 7, 2011 11:25 AM

85 I am interested in the least expensive route to continue these services. Weseniors pay more than our share given our low usage. My neighbors put outmany bags to my typical one (1). Please make this fair!

Jul 7, 2011 11:12 AM

86 I like that all township trash is picked up on the same day- it reduces traffic thatmultiple companies would create! Why doesn't everyone recylce? What is beingdone to enforce recycling? I didn't know that we could put out our Christmastrees!

Jul 7, 2011 10:56 AM

87 I feel we pat too much. I know people who have own and pay less. Also I thinkwe do not recycle enough!

Jul 7, 2011 10:42 AM

88 I would like the township to bill me every six months. Jul 7, 2011 10:27 AM

89 #10. Did not know you had bulk pick up. Jul 7, 2011 10:15 AM

90 The current service is horrible, The collectors are messy. Our street becomes adump after they are through. And we are OVERPAYING compared to othertownships and boroughs.

Jul 7, 2011 10:13 AM

91 WE need to have a bulk item free pickup per year. Costs of trash have gone toohigh- why?

Jul 7, 2011 10:07 AM

92 I have very minimal use of collection, I sometimes use it every other week. NoChristmas tree or yard waste.

Jul 7, 2011 9:58 AM

93 I'm satisfied, but would prefer yard waste drop off location instead of having topay for the service. #17. Way too much yard waste for bags and no curb.

Jul 7, 2011 9:53 AM

94 In the summer June, July, and August it would be nice to have twice a weekpickup.

Jul 7, 2011 9:50 AM

95 I am 97- alone. Son takes my garbage. Yardman picks up waste. I have NOtrash , but still pay bill.

Jul 7, 2011 9:40 AM

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96 I would use twice per week pickup in the summer. Jul 5, 2011 12:34 PM

97 I already pay too much for collection of trash, should be included in taxes. I feellike the household of renters should pay more in taxes and fees not only for trashservices, but also for all other services.

Jul 5, 2011 12:32 PM

98 my service has been great! Thank you! P.S. the $16 increase is a lot at onetime. a more gradual increase would be better.

Jul 5, 2011 12:29 PM

99 sometimes I have 2 bags and other times I have more than 4. Yard clean up is aproblem! Get the best services at the best price! I got a new recyclablecontainer and after the 2nd use it cracked! the men throw it down too hard!

Jul 5, 2011 12:27 PM

100 the paper bags do not hold up long enough for once per month yard waste pickup.

Jul 5, 2011 12:24 PM

101 Team up with other municipalities and negoiate the best contract possible. Nomore tax increases!

Jul 5, 2011 12:22 PM

102 I normally have only 1 trash can per week so pay per bag would be my cheapestoption.

Jul 5, 2011 12:16 PM

103 Definetly need a no-cost bulk pickup at least once a year. Jul 5, 2011 12:13 PM

104 I would like to know ho it is determined who is paying for recycling collection?We pay for six months during the summer and aren't here.

Jul 5, 2011 12:05 PM

105 Shop for lowest price and no tax increase Jul 5, 2011 12:04 PM

106 would really like a bulk trash day twice per year like we used to. Jul 5, 2011 12:02 PM

107 Bulk pickup! No tax increase Jul 5, 2011 12:02 PM

108 I should not be paying $71. I do twice a year for trash recycling when I do notuse the service. If someone wants it, they should pay for it on an individual baseand not penalize me.

Jul 5, 2011 12:00 PM

109 Please minimize costs wherever possible. Jul 5, 2011 11:59 AM

110 2 collections per week would be nice, but not for a higher cost! Jul 5, 2011 11:57 AM

111 Need to recycle cardboard!!!! Jul 5, 2011 11:55 AM

112 i am happy with the current situation. if it can be worked withteh new contractthat services are mostly without changes, then I think that would satisfy mostresidents.

Jul 5, 2011 11:49 AM

113 he who generates the junk pay for the removal Jul 5, 2011 11:43 AM

114 I like that the trash truck comes through my neighborhood once a week! Jul 5, 2011 11:41 AM

115 Question 19 appears to not provide any reasonable option for maintaining thepresent system. It appears that a decision is already made! Key words used"full cost", "bill", "bill me". You've already decided! Only two people live here inour home.

Jul 5, 2011 11:39 AM

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116 The current contract cost increases each year. Jul 5, 2011 11:21 AM

117 Should not affect our taxes, it is truly hard to fathom the outrageous fees fortrash removal. Really that is too high.

Jul 5, 2011 11:19 AM

118 Many other townships have locations where recycled leaves are left for residentsto use as mulch for free. Why don't we?!

Jul 5, 2011 11:08 AM

119 Please cut services and no increase in taxes. Cut taxes- taxes in LowerPottsgrove keep people from wanting to move here!!

Jul 5, 2011 10:45 AM

120 Trash and recycling is too expensive- is there another avenue to travel?! Jul 5, 2011 10:39 AM

121 Lots of times, they do not take our trash. we have to call to have it picked up. Jul 5, 2011 10:35 AM

122 You folks have been doind a good job. Yard waste is the big problem for many. Jul 5, 2011 10:22 AM

123 Not sure why we should pay for recycling bins when the men throw them downon the road causing them to break.

Jul 5, 2011 10:07 AM

124 My trash guys are great. Jul 5, 2011 10:03 AM

125 #19. Keep as is! Jul 5, 2011 9:44 AM

126 Bigger recycling containers with lids!!!! Jul 5, 2011 9:42 AM

127 We need a drop off site for yard waste. (grass clippings, leaves, tree branches,etc.) Would love service to be paid from taxes to save on federal income tax!

Jul 5, 2011 9:40 AM

128 The way it works right now is acceptable. Don't fix what isn't broken. Jul 5, 2011 9:36 AM

129 Everything fine so far. Jul 1, 2011 12:52 PM

130 Not putting yard waste in my car. Don't feel a need for any changes except leafpickup.

Jul 1, 2011 12:49 PM

131 I would love to see bulk trash day return 2 x's a year but instead of curbside,have a place to bring the bulk trash. People would have to show their account #& I.D. before they can drop off their trash. Thank you.

Jul 1, 2011 12:46 PM

132 Yard waste collection is a waste of money. I think senior citizens should get abreak on this trash & recycle pick up. We hardly have any trash and recycle. Weare having a very, very rough time with these high taxes and everything keepsgoing up, up and up. It's tough.

Jul 1, 2011 12:43 PM

133 We have yard service. No new taxes. Jul 1, 2011 12:36 PM

134 Trash/recycling in taxes works great. Don't bill for yard waste if not being used. Imulch.

Jul 1, 2011 12:34 PM

135 Please provide one yearly collection of bulk trash. Jul 1, 2011 12:30 PM

136 #18. Nothing. Don't use it. Jul 1, 2011 12:27 PM

137 I got a answer to all this! Allow us to use a burning barrel!!!! To burn our own Jul 1, 2011 12:25 PM

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trash. Less trash for everyone and no cost to me.

138 Trash removal has been included in our taxes for probably 40 yrs. or more. Howdoes it make sense to send an extra bill for recycling (something we were toldwould make money) when a small tax increase would cover the costs. Do thatand save the billing costs. Apply that to trash costs. Besides, yard wastecollection is not required. The law only states that a program be provided, assimple as a drop off location or instruction on individual composting.

Jul 1, 2011 12:22 PM

139 Eliminate trash recycle bill altogether in the new contract. we get absolutelynothing for the money. Its a bogus bill that wasnt' here when we moved here in2000. Provide drop off location for trash and yard waste

Jul 1, 2011 11:37 AM

140 19. amount willing to pay assumes no taxes used for trash collection 20. Reducecosts and create awareness of trash volumes by pay per bag 13. yard wasteshould be yard waste and not just leaves 6. had to call several times for leafcollection and Mascaros staff was rude when the mistake was theirs.

Jul 1, 2011 11:28 AM

141 I do not fill the 4 can limit I have per week and don't think we need 12 time a yearfor leaves, just November, December and march

Jul 1, 2011 11:23 AM

142 let homeowner choose trash service. I don't need service because I have a placeto discard my trash and would prefer not to pay for a service I don't need.Homeowner should have option to opt out on a yearly basis.

Jul 1, 2011 11:13 AM

143 Present company leaves trash all over the street and recycling bins in the street.cant they put them on the lawn or curbs? I feel badly for the mailman who can'tget to mailboxes on trash day.

Jul 1, 2011 11:05 AM

144 include trash services in the tax bill so it is deductible and by so doing you savecossts on 2x billing statements and postage and clerical to send out bills whichwould be eliminated.

Jul 1, 2011 10:40 AM

145 19. putting this in one billing will decrease the cost of paper and postage andpossibly the reduction of late payments.

Jul 1, 2011 10:34 AM

146 20. Pay per bag will motivate people to drive past my house at 0200 hrs and setbags at my curb in order to reduce their ownd costs. in fact, this has alreadyhappened. 21. Observation: because the Twp. does not handle my recyclablesas I take them to Jim Crater's Recycle center, and I compost all of my yardwaste and rarely do i set more than one bag at the curb for pickup, most of whatI currently pay towards trash/recycling collection is to process my neighbor'strash/waste. thank you for giving me the opportunity.

Jul 1, 2011 10:27 AM

147 I only put trash and recycle out evey other week. Maybe I could get a discount? Jul 1, 2011 10:13 AM

148 We are satisfied with the way it is. We are retired and live on a very limitedincome. No increases please!

Jul 1, 2011 10:08 AM

149 12 & 14. If it will reduce fees 21. I believe the current trash service isacceptable. One suggestion to reduce fees would be co-op services withsurrounding townships then negotiate with the same trash company at a lowerrate. For example, if Upper ottsgrove and Lower Pottsgrove negotiate with thesame company then a lower cost could be negotiated.

Jul 1, 2011 10:04 AM

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150 Support the ability to pay the "trash" bill online without charging an onlinesurcharge.

Jul 1, 2011 9:09 AM

151 We have a yard and garden person; we don't use your yard waste removalservice. Also we are retired.

Jul 1, 2011 9:08 AM

152 #8.We need to keep costs down and twice/wk. service is not a good idea. #12.Drop off for Christmas trees--it was done this way where we came from in NewYork state - it eliminated trees being blown around the neighborhood. #18. If fullcost to be in taxes. #21. If the full cost of these services were included in thetaxes, then money would be saved because there would be no billing and billpayment, receivable materials, postage or personnel.

Jul 1, 2011 9:05 AM

153 13. dont use 18. FREE 21. Please remove charges for leaf & yard waste.Provide a drop off area instead.

Jul 1, 2011 8:59 AM

154 How does yard waste pick up work. I've never heard of this. provide dropoff/dump spot for yard waste and bulk items.

Jul 1, 2011 8:57 AM

155 there should be rules and fines pertaining to how long bulk items can remain atcurbside in neighborhoods.

Jul 1, 2011 8:54 AM

156 12. Whatever is least expensive 13. didn't know we had this service! Eliminate /Push compost 18. eliminate yard waste service 21. save money, eliminate allunnecessary expenses by collecting trash & recycles only. Establish a townshipcompost drop off site.

Jul 1, 2011 8:51 AM

157 19. I am satisfied with the way it works now. Jul 1, 2011 8:48 AM

158 I have my own yard services (grass cuttings, pick up sticks, etc., etc.) so don'treally need waste removal, except on rare occasions.

Jul 1, 2011 8:47 AM

159 Need pick up or drop off for toxic waste, i.e. car oil, paint cans, etc. andelectronic devices (computers, monitors, phones, etc.) I'd also like to seerecycles separated - glass, paper, etc. Thank you for this survey.

Jul 1, 2011 8:44 AM

160 We compost. #19. Should this save billing expenses? ($15,000) Jul 1, 2011 8:39 AM

161 No yard waste. Jul 1, 2011 8:35 AM

162 The current program is not fair. Why should I have to pay the same cost as myneighbor who puts out 4 trash cans every week and I only have 1 and someweeks none.

Jul 1, 2011 8:34 AM

163 Would like to see an annual bulk pick up day. Jul 1, 2011 8:31 AM

164 I am 1 person with 1 bag of trash a week and 1 small recycle. I am paying thesame as a family of 10. Thank you for asking how I feel about trash collection!

Jul 1, 2011 8:30 AM

165 #11. What happened to $10 per item? #13. What yard waste...we mulch grass &leaves. #14. You have got to be kidding. Put yard waste in our cars. #15. Youare making me more irritated by the minute. #16. NO NO NO. #18. Nothing.Include in taxes so I don't have to see another bill. #19. Credit card. Geez canyou make this any harder to answer. #20. It only makes people put excess out ata neighbors so who are you kidding with a limit. #21. This bill used to be $50.

Jul 1, 2011 8:26 AM

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Now you are sucking out $71. and you are going to suck out more hence thisstupid survey. Why does it matter what we think. You are going to do & chargewhat you want anyway! Enough!!

166 extra services will require higher taxes. Do whatever is necessary to keep costsdown. We must do more ourselves and not expect our local government topamper us.

Jul 1, 2011 8:18 AM

167 17. I have a compost pile so I don't have yard or christmas tree waste. 21.current trash services are PERFECT!

Jul 1, 2011 8:16 AM

168 #13. Not for the $71 x 2. #16. Yes, if it got less expensive. Very expensive forwhat we get now. P.S. And we don't even get a nice big trash can like LowerProv. Twp.

Jul 1, 2011 8:12 AM

169 Fake tree. I probably could make money on my cans but probably a hassle. Iwould like to be able to use a burn barrel.

Jul 1, 2011 8:08 AM

170 Clearly state what is trash and what is recyclable. several times the cardboardwas left behind by both trash and recycle.

Jul 1, 2011 8:05 AM

171 I do not have yard waste!! Jul 1, 2011 8:03 AM

172 Whatever we are doing at present is fine! Jul 1, 2011 8:02 AM

173 these collections should be part of our taxes not a separate fee which cannot bededucted as a local tax.

Jul 1, 2011 7:59 AM

174 Do not use Christmas tree service. Recycle my yard waste - compost. Jul 1, 2011 7:55 AM

175 1. why not have recycling containers at township for residents to drop off items?2. Since some people do not generate much trash, go to township to get trashbags 3.I dont want to pay for yard waste rtemoval services or christmas treeremoval services. only for what I need 4. have bi-monthly trash pick ups

Jul 1, 2011 7:44 AM

176 we have a lot of yard waste that is sticks. We could reduce the number of bags ifwe were allowed to burn them in a burn barrel or chiminea

Jul 1, 2011 7:33 AM

177 want combines recycling Jul 1, 2011 7:29 AM

178 Thank you for your work. I know you are trying to do what's best and economicalfor the township residents.

Jul 1, 2011 7:24 AM

179 12 & 14. Whichever is cheapest. 21. Provide recycle bins at no cost as haulersare the ones that bust them.

Jul 1, 2011 7:08 AM

180 the current contract has accommodated our meeds. they have been punctual,returned items properly on the premisis and provided great communication (viamail)

Jul 1, 2011 6:58 AM

181 19. stay the way it is. Jul 1, 2011 6:44 AM

182 6. Summertime have2 collections/week. 19. same as it is now!!!! 21. When youraise the rate why is it more than the inflation rate!!! We generate less than theaverage family, why should we pay the average rate as 2 senior citizens

Jul 1, 2011 6:30 AM

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183 18. Would like to pay none. Why was this removed from taxes? Jul 1, 2011 6:26 AM

184 Need to provide a place for yard waste. COLLECTOR SHOULD PROVIDE NEWRECYCLE CONTAINERS THEY ARE THE ONES WHO DAMAGE THEM BYTHROWING THEM WHEN THEY EMPTY THEM.

Jul 1, 2011 6:24 AM

185 Add a spring cleanup day for household items, scrap wood, and general jumkaccumulated such as was available spring and fall when I moved here in 1969

Jul 1, 2011 6:20 AM

186 a township of our size should have bulk recycle location for yard waste/stormfallen branches

Jul 1, 2011 6:14 AM

187 I like the idea of a drop off site for yard waste. King of Prussia (Upper MerionTwp) compost waste/grind trees and provides compost/mulch to the community,a very attractive arrangement.

Jul 1, 2011 5:56 AM

188 13. Depends on time of year. Need more in fall. Jul 1, 2011 5:51 AM

189 As far as I know we only had a 2 can limit per mail box. How does this work? Myhome has two mail boxes as I live at 1207 and my father lives at 1205 and theywill not take more than 4 bags or cans. If we are paying double for trash for onehome, should we not be allowed 8 cans or bags?

Jun 30, 2011 12:35 PM

190 If one person can put an item at curbside it should not be considered a bulk item. Jun 30, 2011 12:27 PM

191 consider residences that were forced to obtain their own hauler and NOTincrease the taxes to them.

Jun 30, 2011 12:17 PM

192 20. IF I leave a bag plus my small trash can, many times they will leave it and Ionly put out trash every other week.

Jun 30, 2011 12:02 PM

193 11. with no additional cost 19. I would like to compare prices and then make adecision.

Jun 30, 2011 11:55 AM

194 12. & 14. Pay ONLY if used 21. Set basis low (ie # bags, lease frequent pay onlyfor Christmas tree and yard waste if used) for all residents to encourage andmotivate conservation, reduction and re-use. Thank you for this survey.

Jun 30, 2011 11:48 AM

195 19. The trash recycling charge should have been a tax increase Jun 30, 2011 11:44 AM

196 16. trees provide mulch! Jun 30, 2011 11:36 AM

197 13. You should not collect yard waste 21. provide big recycle containers likePottstown so we can mix all recyclables together

Jun 30, 2011 11:33 AM

198 I think we should be able tot get compost free from the place that we drop off ouryard waste.

Jun 30, 2011 11:26 AM

199 I am happy as is. Jun 30, 2011 9:09 AM

200 Yard waste collection - not necessary all year. This Township charges usenough for all services & TAXES.

Jun 30, 2011 8:08 AM

201 At least please give back the responsibility to take care of our own trash! Thankyou.

Jun 30, 2011 8:05 AM

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202 Have a spring clean up with no limits of waste. Jun 30, 2011 8:01 AM

203 Please provide us with larger/new recycling bins! Jun 30, 2011 7:29 AM

204 I don't use yard waste service ever. I don't think I should pay for this service. Jun 30, 2011 7:23 AM

205 I don't UNDERSTAND #19! Jun 30, 2011 7:02 AM

206 This charge keeps going up and the service doesn't take all my recyclables suchas alum foil, styrofoam, wax paper, cardboard, etc. All this I take to the recyclingcenter & have to pay them. So I don't want any more raises on fees from theTownship on this stuff. Other people put out everything for "trash" so it doesn'tstay out of the landfills.

Jun 30, 2011 7:00 AM

207 Current service is OK with me. Jun 30, 2011 6:51 AM

208 Please do not consider privatizing trash pick up. We would have trash trucks allover and trash pick up days "scattered" - not very pretty! No need for twice aweek especially if it costs more.

Jun 30, 2011 6:50 AM

209 We think our trash hauler sucks. Jun 30, 2011 6:45 AM

210 #12 & #14 - To lower costs only. #19. Fire some people to pay for it. Thereneeds to be cuts made in local government and services to pay for it.

Jun 30, 2011 6:36 AM

211 I'm really tired of coming home from work and finding my trash cans broken frombeing thrown or in the middle of the street or my driveway. I would appreciate ifmy trash cans could be put back standing up or on the lawn.

Jun 30, 2011 6:10 AM

212 trash haulers need to do better job of keeping trash in truck on pick up day. nobills sent to residents if they pay their own trash removal. no tax increase put inunder another entity on taxes to pay shortfall.

Jun 29, 2011 1:40 PM

213 trash men "pick" the trash. Jun 29, 2011 1:36 PM

214 in the 28 years we have lived in the township, Mascaro is by far the worst trashhauler.

Jun 29, 2011 1:33 PM

215 We have had to purchase 2 recycle containers in the last year. They get brokewhen picked up and banged against the side of the truck. Our trash containersare left to roll on the road or put in a place where I have to get out of the car (ona blind corner) to move them to get in the driveway.

Jun 29, 2011 1:31 PM

216 I do not think it is fair that people abuse the system by putting more than the limitout for pick up.

Jun 29, 2011 1:26 PM

217 I am a 79 year old widow. I don't have a large christmas tree to put out. I live onsocial security and a small pension, so price is important to me.

Jun 29, 2011 1:23 PM

218 electronic waste disposal - at least twice per year (computers, tvs, batteries,electronics ...)

Jun 29, 2011 1:21 PM

219 I moved here in 1993- Trash and recycling were always covered in our taxes. Iwas not happy to be billed separately for recycling- my trash and recyclingvolume is minimal- I don't want higher fees.

Jun 29, 2011 1:19 PM

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220 Haulers need to pick up after themselves if there is trash blowing all over thestreet.

Jun 29, 2011 1:18 PM

221 we should be able to put out more trash bags for once per week collection. Iftwice per week collection, I would use it, but I don't want to pay more.

Jun 29, 2011 1:12 PM

222 Bill us for trash as a separate line item on tax bill. Jun 29, 2011 1:08 PM

223 Not sure what I pay now with the taxes, but that should be enough [to covertrash]. I don't want a bill 2x a year.

Jun 29, 2011 1:04 PM

224 We need a place to drop off yard grass clippings and tree branches and wood. Jun 29, 2011 1:01 PM

225 #12. Drop off should be open all year to drop off yard waste. #16. Pick up butvery small, instead of $.50/bag how about $2/truckload, homeowner unloads.#18. I've been paying over $400/yr. The bill with this survey is cheaper than myusual bill. #19. I would like them to stay how they are. #21. If I put out 6 cans andthey are not full to disperse weight for the garbage men who have to lift the cans,this shd be acceptable.

Jun 29, 2011 1:00 PM

226 What happened to the once a year no limit bulk trash pick up? We use to havethis at no additional charge!

Jun 29, 2011 12:56 PM

227 The present trash company does a really good job. Jun 29, 2011 12:54 PM

228 I like present service. Jun 29, 2011 12:52 PM

229 You guys are doing a nice job, just try and get the company that is the cheapest.Bottom line - low payments are always better.

Jun 29, 2011 12:46 PM

230 I feel the "rules for pickup" (especially recyclables) are too specific (thus,frustrating). That is, sometimes the guys pick up my items and sometimes theydon't. Usually I hold the items til the next pick up and they go ?? It's frustrating.

Jun 29, 2011 12:44 PM

231 Please do not allow residents to rake leaves in street! The gutters in front of myhouse are always covered without the additional leaves. If I don't clean themmyself my house floods. I've never seen a township worker cleaning the gutterson the street. The added leaves will cause a burden on me to make sure I cleanthe gutters even through the night. I've already had damaged items and furniturebecause of this problem. I live on Welsh Drive.

Jun 29, 2011 12:39 PM

232 #11. If cost doesn't go up. Jun 29, 2011 12:34 PM

233 Leave billing alone it's fine the way it is! Jun 29, 2011 12:29 PM

234 12. any option - recycle them 13. two collections would be better 18. want to goback to when Twp payys and no cost to use since we are now paying this much19. NO TAX INCREASE! 21. Single source recycling and get points or creditslike they do in the city to encourage people to recycle more.

Jun 29, 2011 12:28 PM

235 Contractor pays for damaged trash cans and recycle bins. Jun 29, 2011 12:24 PM

236 #13. We have no yard waste and never had!! We compost all our waste. #18.Under $100 for trash and recycling. $0 for yard waste removal service. #19. Iwould like the Township to continue to contract out for trash and recycling and let

Jun 29, 2011 12:17 PM

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me choose a hauler for yard waste. #20. Mainly please find a way for those whoput out the most waste pay for it & not penalize the rest of us. #21. a. Thereshould be a consistent treatment of trash such as cardboard. Generally, thecurrent hauler leaves cardboard unless it's put in trash bags. Is it trash? Is itrecycle? Does it change from week to week? b. 4 bag limit is excessive. Somepeople put out 8 bags stuffed into 4 large trash cans. Some put out less than 1/2bag, but those of us who rarely put out even a full bag are forced to subsidizethose who generate excessive waste. c. Re: Yard Waste "Recycle"--The cost ofthis service was excessive at $100/yr. and is completely unreasonable at$142/yr. People on our street hardly use this service in the Fall and I've neverseen anyone put out leaves for collection the other 9 mos. of the year. Let thosewho desire this service call and make arrangements as we do for bulk items.

237 I would love to have the Township offer mulch/shredded trees to the residents.This would require more than just leaf recycling which is too restrictive in myopinion.

Jun 29, 2011 12:14 PM

238 I do not have a lot of trash. Too many times they have picked up my neighborscans but left mine sitting and they were no more then a few feet away. My bagswere in my can, but they tried to say it was recyclables. Had they bothered totake the lid off and look they would have seen bags of garbage inside. i getthoroughly digusted with them. Each year gets more and more expensive.

Jun 29, 2011 12:13 PM

239 Some of those trash workers are lazy asses. Jun 29, 2011 12:05 PM

240 A spring clean-up day including bulk items like back in the day! Jun 29, 2011 12:03 PM

241 Township should have only one trash hauler. There should be no indepententshaulings.

Jun 29, 2011 12:02 PM

242 Bulk pick up every other month. Jun 29, 2011 11:59 AM

243 GET OUT OF THE TRASH COLLECTION BUSINESS! Jun 29, 2011 11:56 AM

244 I'm quite satisfied with trash removed as is. Jun 29, 2011 11:55 AM

245 #19- Same as current. Jun 29, 2011 11:52 AM

246 some days recyclables are allover the road and they don't pick them up. Duringthe fall and early winter months, it woudl be nice to have a few more leafcollection days (or have a drop off like New Hanover) -- once a month justdoesn't cut it. I break up my bulk items so they can be included with regulartrash. I would be willing to pay more for trash collection (than $150) if I couldchoose my own service.

Jun 29, 2011 11:47 AM

247 Nice job Lower Pottsgrove! #8- No if extra cost. Jun 29, 2011 11:46 AM

248 They refuse to take any "construction" debris, even from small projects fromaround my house. Trash is trash. Pick it up.

Jun 29, 2011 11:42 AM

249 8. But not necessary, would not want to pay more for increase pick ups. 21.Please try to keep the rates the same or less as we just had an increase.Thanks.

Jun 29, 2011 11:38 AM

250 I would like to know how much of my tax money is already going to trash Jun 29, 2011 11:31 AM

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removal.

251 What about changing recyclable collection to once every two weeks in order toreduce costs?

Jun 29, 2011 11:30 AM

252 8. wife says used to have 2x per week in summer. Jun 29, 2011 11:29 AM

253 Make the bulk pick up process easier. Can we send the check to the Township,rather than leave money in door?

Jun 29, 2011 11:28 AM

254 #12. Don't use I mulch leaves. #16. Same as currently. #21. I am satisfied withthe current process except for paying for leaf service when I compost all myleaves and food waste that I can. Everyone should be required to compost forenvironmental reasons!

Jun 29, 2011 11:26 AM

255 I did not even know we had yard waste collection. Send out flyers two times ayear advertising services, dates of collection and non-collection due to holidays,and details on yard waste collection.

Jun 29, 2011 11:19 AM

256 At least twice a year (spring ans fall) have a bulk item pick up day. Townshipused to have this, but was dicontinued. #11- Pay per item if it keeps the costdown.

Jun 29, 2011 11:19 AM

257 Service has been reliable and done neatly. Occasional (scheduled) large itempick up should be included in coast (taxed, not additional charge). Paying arecycling fee, as done now, is basically an additional tax. Please stop theadditional charge and raise the taxes accordingly. The additional bill is anuisance. Must put stuff out in can - container is too small for more than oneweek.

Jun 29, 2011 11:16 AM

258 Two free large items per year. Jun 29, 2011 11:12 AM

259 #10. Didn't know you picked up bulk. Jun 29, 2011 11:12 AM

260 #8. If it costs the same, not if I pay more. #20. Depends on cost. #21. Kind ofhard to evaluate some of these things w/out $ amounts!

Jun 29, 2011 11:09 AM

261 Any option besides having to bag leaves would be ideal for me! I would bewilling to pay more than $450 if it included leaf curbside pick up or drop offlocation.

Jun 29, 2011 11:06 AM

262 #20. The way I am now! Jun 29, 2011 11:04 AM

263 Would liek to see a more state of the art recycling program, including corrugatedcardboard as well as incentives or reimbursements for amount recycled. Wouldlike trash service to make use of single large plastic bins where all trash isplaced, and bin is placed curbside for pickup. This would reduce the amount ofloose paper, cardboard, plastic bags, wrapping paper, etc. that gets blown intoyards (especially during winter months).

Jun 29, 2011 11:01 AM

264 There are times I do not have enough trash/recycling to put out. We should cutleaf and yard waste from collection and let the property owners take care of it.With regard to Christmas trees and leaf/yard waste, we should do whatever ischeaper in terms of curbside pick up or drop off site.

Jun 29, 2011 10:56 AM

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265 The one-square mile borough of Macungie, with about 1480 homes and 3140residents pays $344 per household per year. That includes twice weekly pickupof trash, recycle pick up, all bulk items included (no extra fee), Christmas treeand leaf removal. I think we need to bargain a little harder. Their hauler isWaste Management. If twice per week pickup were provided, I would use onoccasion.

Jun 29, 2011 10:48 AM

266 #11. If cost effective. #19. Rates similar to what we pay now. Jun 29, 2011 8:41 AM

267 #8. Does it cost more? #18. As little as possible. #19. Whichever is cheaper. Jun 29, 2011 8:39 AM

268 No more taxes!!! Why do we pay for recycling? Jun 29, 2011 8:27 AM

269 I don't have yard waste and pay $150 a year! Jun 29, 2011 8:25 AM

270 I like the current system. Jun 29, 2011 8:21 AM

271 #11. No, we take things and burn at a relative's house in another township. #18.Don't include yard waste removal service. #21. Thanks for asking!

Jun 29, 2011 8:19 AM

272 Drop off point is completely unacceptable. I'm not buying a truck so I can haulmy own trash!!! Yard waste collection needs to be more often in summer and fall.

Jun 29, 2011 8:16 AM

273 #19. Either way we are paying for it. Jun 29, 2011 8:11 AM

274 #19. Have yard waste a "pay as you use" service and not included in trash &recycling costs! #21. I have never used yard waste removal services in 33 years.I compost my leaves and household vegetable waste. I''m fed up with costsgoing up every year for services I've never used! I favor some kind of systemwhere people pay for services used. Only trash/recycling should be a townshiptaxable service...leaf collection should be pay as you use the service.

Jun 29, 2011 8:09 AM

275 Please don't raise my taxes! Jun 29, 2011 8:03 AM

276 Why do the drivers of your trucks park in the middle of the street whencollecting? They come during the time people are leaving for work and we haveto wait for them to move.

Jun 29, 2011 7:56 AM

277 #11. Once a month. #21. It might be nice to have trash pick up 2 Xs per weekthe 1st week in January and all holidays in the summer months.

Jun 29, 2011 7:52 AM

278 I use bill payment online. I want to be able to pay all of my bills electronically. Idon't like sending checks.

Jun 29, 2011 7:48 AM

279 I generate very little yard waste/leaves that need to be removed. I compost in theneighbor's yard. I do not want to pay for services I do not use.

Jun 29, 2011 7:43 AM

280 13. Do not use yard waste service. 19. Don't need yard waste removal service21. Eliminate yard waste service - most don't use it and the bags are too difficult(too small) to use. Monday is a bad day! KEEP THE TOWNSHIP CLEAN! THETRASH COST IS GROWING TOO HIGH!

Jun 22, 2011 6:34 AM

281 18. Retired - as little as possible. Jun 22, 2011 6:15 AM

282 Some companies pay customer/township for recyclables. Can the Township look Jun 22, 2011 6:12 AM

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into this option.

283 Do not have enough information to choose on cost of trash removal. Jun 22, 2011 6:08 AM

284 We need a bulk pick up program for ALL large items at least 4 times per year. Jun 22, 2011 6:03 AM

285 This memo is in reference to the trash collection costs for 2011. I realized thatthe expense of collecting the trash increases each year as does the cost for fueland other commodities. My only problem with this is that the current hauler isgetting wealthy on both ends instead of giving us credit for the recycledcollected. Then subtracting the value of the aluminum and glass and otherrecycled products from the waste collected. I am very sure that they turn aroundand resell these items as scrap for more money. I have seen on many occasionsthe people with pick up trucks unloading garbage bags full of cans at MayerPollack in Pottstown for large amounts of cash. I feel the Township and it'scitizens would benefit form a central drop off for the recycles and they in turncould sell the items to the scrap collecting firms for cash. Randall Taylor 1866 NCharlotte St

Jun 22, 2011 5:49 AM

286 12. Whatever is cheaper. 21. Go to 1 time every 2 weeks; Once a week Oct;Nov; Dec; Jan

Jun 22, 2011 5:38 AM

287 19. I'M ON A FIXED INCOME! Jun 22, 2011 5:33 AM

288 18. SENIOR CITIZEN ON FIXED INCOME. Jun 22, 2011 5:28 AM

289 12. whichever is cheaper. i mulch mine. 13. I compost mine, this service is notneeded. 14. whichever is cheaper, see above, I don't use this service. 20. Alower limit is preferable for a better price. 21. The current limits are too high. Abetter price could possibly be obtained with a 3 can limit. we rarely have morethan a can and a half with 5 of us, so a three can limit should be more thanenough.

Jun 21, 2011 12:53 PM

290 I am happy with current service. Jun 21, 2011 12:45 PM

291 12. Have artificial tree and lawn service 21. I am satisfied with current trashhauler.

Jun 21, 2011 12:43 PM

292 14. start a township compost pile. compost yard waste and let residents use thecompost for free. it works in California. 18. actually it should be free. paid forwith our current property taxes without increase! 19. the township should figureout how to save enough money to pay for it all out of our taxes without anyincrease. 21. what do we get for our taxes??? NOTHING!!! We pay for everyservice. Yes, it costs too much. you raised the fee 9.2% since last year. way overinflation. Government is now my biggest expense increase. Learn to do morewith less NOW!!!!

Jun 21, 2011 12:34 PM

293 We would prefer that you do not stop providing trash, recycling and yard wasteremoval service. thank you.

Jun 21, 2011 12:28 PM

294 12. Would like to see christmas trees recycle and chipped and possibly givenback to Twp. for residents for mulch etc. 15. within township limits.

Jun 21, 2011 12:24 PM

295 I do not think we need to pay extra for buk items considering it is once or twice ayear. We do not generate that much trash and recycled waste per week

Jun 21, 2011 12:21 PM

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296 #12. N/A Artificial tree. #13. N/A. #14. If we had yard waste. #21. I have seriousconcerns about the rising costs. Trash used to be part of taxes. Now we payseparately and costs are rising for trash removal as well as constant taxincreases. We have the highest taxes in Montgomery County in our area. Soonwe may not be able to afford to keep our house!

Jun 21, 2011 12:13 PM

297 go back to once a year bulk pick up. do your own trash pick up like royersford.therefore creating local jobs and take depreciation on vehicles - lower cost in thelong run.

Jun 21, 2011 12:08 PM

298 #11. Neither - shouldn't have to pay extra. #21. Don't raise taxes. Already toohigh! Would be willing to pay separate at dropoff for yard waste. Lower limits onamount of trash.

Jun 21, 2011 11:59 AM

299 Collection is fine as it is! Jun 21, 2011 11:56 AM

300 start finding ways to reduce our costs in the future. Jun 21, 2011 11:52 AM

301 #8. Not necessary. #19. I'll do it myself. Jun 21, 2011 11:51 AM

302 Keep things the same. Jun 21, 2011 11:48 AM

303 #13. Not needed. #21. Overall the system works. I handle my own Christmastree and yard waste.

Jun 21, 2011 11:38 AM

304 #20. It averages out in the neighborhood, some more, some less. #21. I wouldlike profit sharing for recycling.

Jun 21, 2011 11:20 AM

305 #8. Yes but don't want it. #12 and #13 Don't use this service. Jun 21, 2011 11:17 AM

306 Leaves in fall should be vacuumed by township at curb once every two weeks inareas that have many trees such as Welsh Drive.

Jun 21, 2011 11:14 AM

307 #18. Don't know what I pay now! Jun 21, 2011 11:10 AM

308 #10. We don't have bulk service. #13. None. Jun 21, 2011 11:01 AM

309 18. Would like to pay just what I am paying 21. Just pick up the yard wastewhen they are supposed to instead of just passing it by.

Jun 21, 2011 9:52 AM

310 The bulk pick up system is lousy. $10 per item was plenty. Now you're saying itsgone up to $20! There should be an online system to arrange and pay for pick upthat would be much faster and more convenient. Its crazy to have to call andsend in a check. The process takes 2 weeks.

Jun 21, 2011 9:09 AM

311 10. didn't know they would take large items 11. i don't want to have to pay morefor other people's bulk items! 13. Didn't know this existed 19. (included in taxesoption ) ABSOLUTELY NOT! 21. do anything to keep costs down BUT pleasedo not include this billing in my taxes which are now in excess of $6000!!!

Jun 21, 2011 9:02 AM

312 12. I recycle my own - do not use 13. I recycle my own - do not use. Jun 21, 2011 8:58 AM

313 Please have waste & recycle people place the waste in their trucks not on mylawn. thank you. r. vath sr. 1592 N. adams st

Jun 21, 2011 8:30 AM

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314 18. $0 Dollars. Jun 21, 2011 8:27 AM

315 #8. Yes if no additional cost; no if additional cost. #11. It would be used moreoften. #12. Provide drop off location for trees only if used for recycling. #13. Notduring the summer - 2x mth. #17. 30 gal. bags-these need to be easier to get-weekends-it can't be during weekday. #18. I think it would be interesting ifresident put a higher amount. #20. Pay per bag set out at curb-I think this is thebest. Be cautious, one bag 40 gallons, another 30 gallons, another could be 50.#21. I try to recycle so trash per bag is good. There are also biodegradableplastic bags.

Jun 21, 2011 8:17 AM

316 12. Don't use at all 13. Don't use at all 14. Don't use at all Jun 21, 2011 8:13 AM

317 Take/accept tires for recycling at a reasonable cost. Jun 21, 2011 8:09 AM

318 10. None because you charge for each piece. Jun 21, 2011 8:03 AM

319 11. if it would bring down annual fee 12. I didn't know they did this - don't need it13. don't use 21. I would like to be better informed on what is okay to recycle. Ididn't know the bulk policy either. Maybe send out info with the bill like theattached letter!

Jun 21, 2011 7:56 AM

320 #11. $20 per item, per current contract - NO Jun 21, 2011 7:54 AM

321 Maybe 2 pick up days - summer only. Jun 21, 2011 7:48 AM

322 14. We recycle yard waste Jun 21, 2011 7:47 AM

323 I would like to see bulk pick up once a year in late spring. Jun 21, 2011 7:46 AM

324 Please make trash people place cans or bins back in the yard when emptied.They are always in the middle of the driveway when we get home and you can'tget in driveway.

Jun 21, 2011 7:43 AM

325 Would like bulk pick up and bi-annual hazmat drop off. Recycle bins tossed onlawn and not in street - avoid cracking.

Jun 21, 2011 7:33 AM

326 #11. Have a drop off area. #13. Didn't know about it. #21. Why not have a largeroll back container for trash and recycling at a location for drop off by residents?Do residents at Rolling Hills pay for these services?

Jun 21, 2011 7:27 AM

327 11. sometimes becomes difficult to get item picked up in a timely manner 12.Dead trees can get messy in a car! 17. rake leaves to curbside ( this doesn'twork - too windy) 18. ONLY if it includes bulk pickup 19. Keep as presentlybilled - whatever that might be (I don't know) 21. 1) I have very few complaintswith the present pickup and billing system other than would like bulk pickupincluded. 2) Has anyone looked @ emailing bills and accepting direct withdrawfrom a resident's bank account vs. the $15,000 you're now spending per yourenclosure?

Jun 21, 2011 7:17 AM

328 4. I don't put leaves out 12. Don't have a real tree 13. Don't put yard waste orleaves out. 18. Really none. Thought we paid trash in with our taxes. 21. I havelived in Lower Pottsgrove 51 years and I think it is getting to be one of the worstTownships to live in. Somebody isn't runnign the place right because nothinggets done in Lower Pottsgrove except raising taxes and sewer & trash pickup.

Jun 21, 2011 7:11 AM

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Thank you.

329 I would like trash pick up in summer months 2 times a week. Jun 21, 2011 7:03 AM

330 17. We mulch Jun 21, 2011 7:01 AM

331 #20. Pay per bag set out at the curb - This will encourage people to not be sowasteful. #21. Not everyone has yard waste. We would like to only pay for it ifwe need it.

Jun 21, 2011 6:52 AM

332 Have no Christmas tree or yard waste. We compost. We are satisfied withcollections the way they are.

Jun 21, 2011 6:40 AM

333 #20. Per per bag set out at curb -- Are you kidding? In addition to the charges wealready have? Please stop billing us to death. If it's all in the taxes we don't knowit's gone. We can't afford additional bills. If we could burn our trash and cut outthe tax and bills that would be great.

Jun 21, 2011 6:23 AM

334 Very satisfied with present arrangement and Township mgt. Jun 21, 2011 6:15 AM

335 Stop the yearly increase!!! Jun 21, 2011 6:09 AM

336 #10. As needed. Jun 21, 2011 5:53 AM

337 #10. Not many. #12. Neither. #18. Note: It was included with high propertytaxes. #19. No increase. #21. Reduce overstaffed police force, cut benefitspackage, apply savings to trash contract, stop raising taxes.

Jun 21, 2011 5:51 AM

338 My concern is that single adult households pay the same as multipleadult/children households.

Jun 21, 2011 5:42 AM

339 #11. It's only $10 per item. #21. Pay per bag set out at the curb -- What? Jun 21, 2011 5:34 AM

340 #11. As long as price is reasonable. #18. If large items included. #21. I'm veryhappy with everything except for the large item issue, as you can see.

Jun 20, 2011 1:09 PM

341 Has any consideration been given to have Township owned garbage andrecycling equipment?

Jun 20, 2011 12:51 PM

342 #8. Most of the time. Jun 20, 2011 12:49 PM

343 they are destroying shrubbery on trash cans all the time and I have to keeppurchasing new things.

Jun 20, 2011 12:27 PM

344 I would like better service from the trash man. Tired of my cans being close toroad and dented all the time and having to buy new ones!

Jun 20, 2011 12:19 PM

345 I have very little to collect and I certainly cannot afford a tax increase. Jun 20, 2011 12:17 PM

346 Have all trash placed out picked up (since it's only 1x per week). Expandrecycling to include cardboard boxes.

Jun 20, 2011 12:15 PM

347 #8. Depends on how much it costs. #20. Pay per bag not acceptable. #21. Whyis there a cost for recycling when the recycler receives money for the materials.Commodities costs are going up on a daily basis.

Jun 20, 2011 12:12 PM

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348 many people in my neighborhood don't recycle. I would like to know why this isn'taddressed and why they are not cited for this.

Jun 20, 2011 12:07 PM

349 I like that LPT provides trash & recycling, it is one less service I have to find onmy own.

Jun 20, 2011 12:05 PM

350 #18. $71.00 tops Jun 20, 2011 11:54 AM

351 #8. In summer. #11. Have at least one bulk pick-up per year. We need to cleanup our Township.

Jun 20, 2011 11:23 AM

352 #12. Don't use this service. Doesn't matter. #21. The current system works quitewell, but the trash should just be rolled into the Twp. taxes. I think there would befewer complaints, and it would be less disturbing to people. The current billingpresents quite a shock with each annual increase. The percentage hikes areoutrageous, but blended into the rest of the tax bill, it would be more acceptable.

Jun 20, 2011 11:18 AM

353 #5. Other - Leaves pick up. #10. Would like did not know you provided thisservice. #11. No - Free

Jun 20, 2011 11:11 AM

354 The services and the cost are just about right! Jun 20, 2011 11:03 AM

355 7. 1 bag per month 11. I do not think those who do not have much bulk or anyshould pay for those who do. 17. Or put in back woods 19. Would really need tosee the consts thoug since it might be more costly to do individually. 21. Currentservice has pass up my house a good number of times since I don't leavegarbage out much. The have done better with not leaving can out in road orwhere wind can blow into road.

Jun 20, 2011 10:55 AM

356 We like the idea of pay/bag to encourage more recycling. Jun 20, 2011 10:46 AM

357 19. Don't know which to choose. Jun 20, 2011 10:40 AM

358 Include trash cost in taxes seperate billing makes more work for everyone. Jun 20, 2011 10:36 AM

359 8. Only if no extra cost. Jun 20, 2011 10:31 AM

360 #18. Now 71 x 4 = 284.00 Jun 20, 2011 9:51 AM

361 #13. Don't use it. #18. It's in the high taxes. Jun 20, 2011 9:38 AM

362 I am on a fixed income now. Do not want taxes to go up. I don't think onWoodland Dr that people put out excessive amounts of trash. Aside from trash, Iwould rather see other services (like snow removal which has consistently gottenbetter each year despite fuel costs rising) be maintained and perhaps have yardwaste and bulk services cut back.

Jun 20, 2011 9:34 AM

363 11. Depending on the increased cost. Jun 20, 2011 9:34 AM

364 I don't have yard waste. I compost in my yard 2 1/4 acres. I shouldn't have to payfor yard waste for others.

Jun 20, 2011 9:29 AM

365 13. Not aware that it's ever been picked up! We have had several trash canscarelessly tossed by the side of the road, and if it's windy, the cans have blowninto the road and been hit by cars. Result: additional expense to replace

Jun 20, 2011 9:21 AM

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damaged trash cans.

366 19. require decision from contractors. Yard pick up necessary only during fallseason. Combine yard waste with normal trash during other seasons.

Jun 20, 2011 9:12 AM

367 I would like to see additional recycling done in township. Jun 20, 2011 9:12 AM

368 Better information on purchasing Township recycling containers. Jun 20, 2011 9:06 AM

369 11. if it doesn't raise our price. Jun 20, 2011 9:04 AM

370 #13. Never used. #19. Need to investigate further before answering question 19. Jun 20, 2011 8:58 AM

371 8. Waste of money, not needed 10. Keep costs down, don't included, notneeded. 12. Whichever is less expensive to the tax payers. 13: Providelocations if this saves us money. 14. Whichever saves money or costs less.19. Least expensive choice, need more info on costs before I can make wisechoice. 21. If taxpayers pay for 100% of trash removal, then would not theTownship have to cut/reduce our taxes since that is like 16% of its annualspenidng? Do recycling bins really cost $25,000 ? Since we already pay for theleaf bags. Lets cut wasteful spending.

Jun 20, 2011 8:56 AM

372 Call G&C. They have the best rates. Jun 20, 2011 8:55 AM

373 #11. Depends how much. #12 & #13 - Don't use it. #21. I like it the way it is. Jun 20, 2011 8:46 AM

374 19: I would like township to contract out for services, but do not understand theoptions.

Jun 20, 2011 8:45 AM

375 Mascaro expensive. Jun 20, 2011 8:39 AM

376 #12. artificial tree Jun 20, 2011 8:18 AM

377 14. Let's hope it never gets this expensive. 19. I would like the least expensivemethod. 21. In regard to #17 - if the Township decides to charge me for thisservice then I might as well use it and a plastic container.

Jun 20, 2011 8:15 AM

378 #11 - Depends on how much higher it would be with trash contract. As a seniorcitizen, I usually only put 1 bag out and 1 recycling container out every 2 wks. Ithink senior citizens should get a discount.

Jun 20, 2011 8:07 AM

379 Charging for bulk waste is unacceptable. This fee should be part of the the semi-annual fees that we are already charged for. Also, bulk waste should becollected once a month - from the curb!

Jun 20, 2011 8:00 AM

380 If the Township had a pay per bag system, recycling and composting wouldincrease which would reduce the amount of trash that needed to be disposed ofin the community.

Jun 20, 2011 7:54 AM

381 I would really like it if the trash collectors actually dumped the trash cans and notjust remove the bags while leaving loose trash at the bottom of the cans andthen throwing the cans allowing the loose trash to go out and litter the area.

Jun 20, 2011 7:46 AM

382 Seniors do not generate the same volume of trash as a family with children andwe should not have to subsidize their costs.

Jun 20, 2011 7:30 AM

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383 Trash collectors should place trash cans back on curb, not thrown on lawn.Periodic survey of condition of recycling bins. Mine is cracked and being heldtogether with duct tape because of the abuse from the collectors.

Jun 20, 2011 7:28 AM

384 It's insane we have to pay for Bluk pick up items. Everywhere else I have livedmy entire life has had that included. Now when I pay for it most of the timepeople come and trash pick the item so I lost the $10 or $20 I paid.

Jun 20, 2011 7:22 AM

385 Tell me where to dump my leaves/yard waste. Jun 20, 2011 7:17 AM

386 The current system is good! Jun 20, 2011 7:16 AM

387 The trash recycling bill is getting out of hand. In just 3 years, the price increasedover 50%.

Jun 20, 2011 7:13 AM

388 Include street/gutter cleanings. Jun 20, 2011 6:54 AM

389 50% of the time, my recycling is not picked up. This has been going on for ayear. Our trash is neat and packaged correctly. They deliberately do not pick itup.

Jun 20, 2011 6:06 AM

390 Grass clippings should be put in brown bags like leaves. Jun 20, 2011 5:52 AM

391 You need to go back to the previous hauler. This present company is terrible andthe cost is one of the reasons why Lower Pottsgrove is unaffordable for a seniorcitizen to have a home - in fact, any average family too.

Jun 20, 2011 5:46 AM

392 Rural residents need an option for brush/yard waste. A drop off site withbranches, leaves, etc. and self-serve mulch pick up.

Jun 16, 2011 12:35 PM

393 Keep it like it is. Jun 16, 2011 12:07 PM

394 Should not have to pay for new recycle bin when the trash man throws andbreaks it. Not our fault.

Jun 16, 2011 11:21 AM

395 Bulk items included in pick up costs -- depends on added cost. Jun 16, 2011 11:04 AM

396 I think the staff does a great job of taking and solving resident complaints. Jun 16, 2011 10:59 AM

397 We compost all leaves and garbage most of the time. Jun 16, 2011 10:52 AM

398 Don't waste $$$. Tree drop-off if cheaper. Jun 16, 2011 9:57 AM

399 I hate that I have to pay for leaf removal and as a widow, I generate a very smallamount of trash. I eat out often. Consider that I am a widow and eat out oftenand have a small amount of trash and recyclables and no leaf or yard waste.

Jun 3, 2011 2:11 PM

400 can't afford an increase! Jun 3, 2011 2:00 PM

401 I wish things could be more pro-rated. I live by myself and don't put out muchtrash, very little recycling, no leaves and no tree.

Jun 3, 2011 1:58 PM

402 Either include the full cost in my taxes or bill me for the full cost. Do not dopartial.

Jun 3, 2011 1:47 PM

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2011 Trash, Recycling & Yard Waste Survey

Please provide us with any additional comments you would like us to consider in

developing the trash contract.

Response

Count

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skipped question 564


1 Keep as is. Please do not go with choosing own hauler. Limerick has receptacleson street all week. Yech! If milk jugs were crushed more could be put in tubs. Ilive at bottom of hill with the storm drainage gully; bags, bottles, trash end upthere. Hard for me to remove. It's unsightly!

Jul 14, 2011 9:13 AM

2 Would like ability to pay online. Jul 14, 2011 9:09 AM

3 Do renters get charged for trash removal? Or are homeowners paying all? Billrenters, tax homeowners. #19. If Township would bill for 100% of cost - whydoesn't it say and decrease taxes?

Jul 14, 2011 9:07 AM

4 In order to cut costs - drop yard waste to 6 times a year - collect yard waste inpeak times May - Oct or June - Nov

Jul 14, 2011 9:04 AM

5 Can't afford to pay for each bulk item. Our taxes are getting out of control.Everything is going up but wages. People living on a fixed income can't afford it.

Jul 14, 2011 9:02 AM

6 recycle cardboard Jul 14, 2011 9:01 AM

7 No yard waste collection. Jul 14, 2011 9:00 AM

8 bigger recycle FREE containers Jul 14, 2011 8:57 AM

9 Levy fines against service provider for less than acceptable services. either percomplaint or per X number of conplaints on same routes.

Jul 14, 2011 8:56 AM

10 Tree drop off--Kmart side/back parking lot. Once per month yard waste - couldsit around for a month.

Jul 14, 2011 8:55 AM

11 Can't afford trash as it is now -- too expensive. Jul 14, 2011 8:53 AM

12 #13. I disagree with a monthly yard waste collection. No one has yard wasteDec.-March. #21. Look at multiple vendors. Look into getting a leaf collection

Jul 14, 2011 8:48 AM

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aelliott

Typewritten Text

Appendix E: Question 21

APPENDIX F

SURVEY AND INFORMATION SHEET

65

Lower Pottsgrove TownshipTrash, Recycling & Yard Waste Survey 2011

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. This will help the Township in preparing its bid documents for the 2012 contract year. Our goal is to try to ensure that as many of our residents’ waste removal needs are provided for, while maintaining affordability. You may return the completed survey with your trash payment, mail or drop it off at the Township Building (2199 Buchert Road, Pottstown, PA 19464), fax it to (610) 323-3824, or email it to [email protected]. Please return no later than May 10, 2011.

1. How long have you lived in Lower Pottsgrove Township? .

2. I currently □ Own □ Rent my home.

3. Number of people in your household in each age category listed below (including yourself)?

12 and under 13 – 18 19 – 29 30 – 64 65 and older

4. On a scale of 1-5, how satisfi ed are you with your current trash, recycling and yard waste removal service (circle one)?

1 Very Satisfi ed 3 Neutral 4 Unsatisfi ed 2 Satisfi ed 5 Very Unsatisfi ed 5. What do you like about your current trash, recycling and yard waste removal service (you may check more than one)?

□ Number of collections per week □ Bulk pick up □ Collection day □ Recyclable collection □ Amount of waste collected □ Christmas tree collection □ Service □ Other

6. What do you dislike about your trash, recycling and yard waste removal service (you may check more than one)?

□ Number of collections per week □ Bulk pick up □ Collection day □ Recyclable collection □ Amount of waste collected □ Christmas tree collection □ Service □ Other

7. In the space of one week (seven days) how many bags of trash do you generate on average?

8. If trash service were provided two days per week, would you use it? □ Yes □ No

9. How much recycling do you generate each week?

□ Less than one small Township recycling container or equivalent (14 gallons) □ One full small Township recycling container or equivalent (14 gallons) □ Less than one large Township recycling container or equivalent (24 gallons) □ One full large Township recycling container or equivalent (24 gallons) □ More than one full large Township container or equivalent □ Other

10. How many bulk items do you generate, on average, in one year (furniture, appliances)?

11. Would you like bulk items to be included with your pick up costs, or pay per item ($20 per item, per current contract)? □ Include with trash contract □ Pay per item

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12. Would you prefer Christmas trees to be picked up as they are currently (during the four Mondays in January) or would you prefer the Township to provide a drop off location for trees?

□ Pick Christmas trees up at my curb □ Provide drop off location for trees □ Both

13. Does once per month yard waste collection (1st Monday of the month) meet your needs? □ Yes □ No

14. Do you prefer to have yard waste picked up at your curb or would you like a place to drop off yard waste?

□ Pick up yard waste at my curb □ Provide drop off location for yard waste □ Both

15. How far are you willing to travel for a place to drop off yard waste and Christmas trees?

□ One mile or less □ Less than 5 miles □ Less than 10 miles □ Less than 15 miles 16. Would you be willing to pay an additional fee to drop off yard waste and Christmas trees? □ Yes □ No

17. How would you prefer to have leaf and yard waste collected (please rank in order of preference)? Rake leaves to curbside Local drop off point Use plastic container Compost in my yard Use 30 gallon paper bags (available from Township and other locations) I don’t have yard waste

18. How much per year are you willing to pay for trash, recycling and yard waste removal service?

□ Under $100 □ $200-$249 □ $350-$399 □ $100-$149 □ $250-$299 □ $400-$449 □ $150-$199 □ $300-$349 □ More than $450

19. How would you like to pay for trash, recycling and yard waste removal service?

□ A. I would like the Township contract out for trash, recycling and yard waste removal services: □ I want the Township to include the full cost of these services in my taxes, even if it means a tax increase □ The Township/Hauler should bill me for 25% of the cost of these services, even if it means a tax increase □ The Township/Hauler should bill me for 50% of the cost of these services, even if it means a tax increase □ The Township/Hauler should bill me for 75% of the cost of these services, even if it means a tax increase □ The Township/Hauler should bill me for 100% of the cost of these services □ B. I would like to be able to choose my own trash, recycling and yard waste removal service provider and I would pay for 100% of these services. □ C. I would like to choose my own trash hauler, but have the Township contract out for recycling and yard waste removal service (curbside and yard waste removal service would be included in my taxes). 20. If the Township were to continue to provide trash, recycling and yard waste removal service, please rank the following service options in order of preference for trash removal:

The current four bag/four can limit is acceptable to me Remove limits on the amount of waste accepted Pay per bag set out at the curb

21. Please provide us with any additional comments you would like us to consider in developing the trash contract.

Thank you for taking the time to fi ll out this survey. We appreciate your comments. 68

IMPORTANT NEWS ABOUT YOUR TRASH REMOVAL SERVICE!Lower Pottsgrove Township’s 5-Year Trash Contract expires at the end of 2011

Cost of Municipal Waste Collection Service

2011 Revenues

Waste Collection Billing $410,000

Act 101 Recycling Grant $34,000

Total Revenues $444,000

2011 Expenses

Trash Collection $647,140

Recycling Collection $166,730

Yard Waste Collection $16,770

Billing Expense $15,000

Education, Recycle Bins, Leaf Bags $25,000

Total Expenses $870,640

Total Cost of Waste Collection $426,640

Total 2011 Budget $5,399,617

Help us design a new bid that meets your trash, recycling and yard waste removal requirements in 2012 and beyond!

Please fi ll out the enclosed survey and return it with your trash bill, mail or drop it off to the Lower Pott sgrove Township Building (2199 Buchert Road, Pott stown, PA 19464) by May 10, 2011.

LETS TALK TRASH ...To help you complete the enclosed survey, here are some facts about trash, recycling and yard waste removal in Lower Potts-grove Township.

Lower Pottsgrove provides waste removal as a service to residents who reside on public streets through a contract with a single hauler. The Township seeks bids every three to fi ve years in order to lock in a price for waste removal. By providing waste removal service in bulk, the Township can secure fees that are signifi cantly less than what could be received by individial residences on the open market. For the 2011 waste collection year, the waste removal contract cost approximately $275.50 per residence per year. On the open market, similar collection could cost anywhere between $300 and $450 per year.

The cost of waste removal was covered entirely by your taxes until 2007. Due to the rising cost of Township services, increase in state and federal requirements, and decreasing revenues, the Township instituted a Trash and Recycling Collection fee of $100 per year. The current Trash and Recycling Collection fee is $142 per year to accomodate increases in the trash contract since 2007.

The current Contract provides once weekly pickup (limit four bags or containers), once weekly recycling pick up, once monthly yard waste pick up, and annual Christmas tree pick up. Bulk items are additional and you must call the hauler to pick up. An additional fee is required.

We understand that not everyone’s needs can be served by any one contract; however, it is our goal to evaluate the current contract to determine where we can improve the level of service to our residents without a signifi cant increase in costs. Like many residents, we work within a budget and have to accomodate the many different needs of our residents. As you can see by the table to the left, waste collection accounts for approximately 8% of the Township’s budget, or about 16% of its annual expenditures.

While waste collection is a large portion of the Township’s budget, there are a lot of benefi ts to maintaining waste collection as a municipal service:

• Reduced costs per residence due to “bulk” buying of services • Township does the “shopping” and provision of service to residents • Single hauler contracts limit the number of waste removal vehicle trips through the Township, reducing wear and tear on Township roads and disruption to Township life • Better customer service -- the Township serves as advocates for residents

Lower Pottsgrove Recycles

Paper Items Accepted (Tie in bundles or put in paper bags)Do not put out in the rain.

Newspapers and all insertsJunk mailOffi ce paperMagazinesPhone booksChip board (cereal boxes)

Paper Items Not Accepted

Corrugated CardboardPizza Boxes

Comingled Items

Cans: aluminum, steel (tin), bimetallic food and beverage cans. No foil or food trays, aerosal or paint cans.Glass: clear, green or brown glass food and beverage containers only. No blue glass, light bulbs, mirrors, window glass, or ceram-ics.Plastics: #1 through #7 food and beverage containers and laundry bottles.

Rinse all materials and remove lids. Labels do not need to be removed. Comingled materials can be placed in the recycling bin together.

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REDUCE JUNK MAILRecycling is a very important part of reducing the amount of waste fi lling up our landfi lls. So what about reducing the amount of waste we create each day, week, month or year? One big source of wasted material is junk mail. If you would like ways to reduce the amount of junk mail you receive, check out http://www.obviously.com/junkmail/.

RECYCLING BINS AND LEAF BAGS AVAILABLEIs your recycling bin damaged or too small? Lower Pottsgrove has more recycling bins available. If you bring in your old or damaged bin, the cost is $6. If you do not have a bin to bring in, the cost is $12. Leaf bags can be purchased through the Township for $0.50 per bag. They can also be purchased at Redners Markets on North Charlotte Street, Sanatoga Thrift-way on East High Street, and Home Depot on Armand Hammer Boulevard.

REUSE YOUR KITCHEN AND YARD WASTE: COMPOSTComposting is a great way to reduce your waste output. Create a composting bin for your food and yard waste and reuse it on your gardens. For more information on creating a compost bin, check out the PA Department of Environmental Protec-tion’s webpage on composting: http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/wm/recycle/FACTS/compost.htm.

ELECTRONICS AND HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTEHousehold hazardous wastes like insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor oil, and other auto fl uids can poison aquatic life and increase our water treatment costs if disposed of improperly. Land animals and people can become sick from eating diseased fi sh and shellfi sh or ingesting polluted water. Never pour any toxic chemicals out onto the ground, into any area that might carry water, or in storm drains. These items should not be thrown out with your regular household wastes.

What can you do with these items? Recycle them of course! Montgomery County offers multiple Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events throughout the year for your convenience. More information about the events and what they collect can be found at www.montgomerycountyrecycles.org or by calling the Montgomery County Recycling Hotline, 610-278-3618.

2011 Household Hazardous Waste & Electronic Collection Events

Saturday, April 16, 2011, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Upper Perkiomen Valley High School, 2 Walt Rd, Pennsburg

Saturday, May 14, 2011, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Upper Merion Middle School, Enter near 435 Crossfi eld Rd, King of Prussia

Saturday, June 25, 2011, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Montgomery County Community College, Enter near 473 Cathcart Rd, Blue Bell

Saturday, August 20, 2011, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Spring-Ford High School, 350 South Lewis Rd, Royersford

Saturday, September 24, 2011, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Temple University – Ambler Campus, Enter near 1431 East Butler Pike

Saturday October 22, 2011, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Lower Merion Twp Public Works, 1300 North Woodbine Ave, Penn Valley

PROPERLY DISPOSE OF WASTE PROTECTS OUR WATERWAYS & NATURAL RESOURCESProper disposal of your wastes is important to the environment, particularly the waterbodies we use for drinking water and recreation. When you store your waste items or put them to the curb, make sure they are securely contained in appropriate bags and vermin-proof containers. If wastes are scattered by storms, heavy wind events, or animals, promptly pick them up. Pet wastes should also be picked up an disposed of in appropriate waste receptacles.

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results and analysis summary - lower … and analysis summary ... to improve the 2011 trash bid....

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