Pennsylvania’s county-level recycling programs are
essential for reducing the amount of trash and household hazardous waste being
disposed of in state landfills and incinerators.
For years, dozens of
Pennsylvania counties assessed a per-ton fee on trash
collected within their counties as a means of raising money that could be
directed towards the county’s recycling programs.
Unfortunately, a recent court decision ruled that counties don't have the legal authority to impose
fees on trash to fund their
recycling programs. This has forced many county-level recycling programs to
terminate their services since they don't have a funding source to pay
for their important work.
PennEnvironment is calling on the legislature to
reinstate the ability of counties to raise funds for
their recycling programs.
Background
Pennsylvania’s county-level recycling programs are
essential for reducing the amount of trash and household hazardous waste being
disposed of in state landfills and incinerators.
For years, dozens of
Pennsylvania counties assessed a per-ton fee on trash
collected within their counties as a means of raising money that could be
directed towards the county’s recycling programs.
Unfortunately, a recent court decision ruled that Pennsylvania's counties do not have the legal authority
under Pennsylvania’s recycling laws to impose
fees on trash collected within the counties' borders as a way of funding their
countywide recycling programs.
This court decision
has forced many of Pennsylvania's county-level recycling programs to
terminate their services since they will no longer have a funding source to pay
for their important work. For this reason, it is essential for the state
legislature to take steps to reinstate the ability of county officials to raise
funds in order to finance their local recycling programs.
PennEnvironment has called upon the legislature to take
immediate steps to tackle this important issue and ensure that
Pennsylvania continues to have vibrant and successful
recycling programs at the county-level. This can be achieved by passing HB934—or
similar legislation if it were introduced.
