Recyclables

Hazardous Waste

Household Waste

Trash Removal

The Borough contracts with Waste Management for the collection of both solid waste and recycling.  As a courtesy and as a means to provide a discount to our customers on this collection, the Borough bills the property owners as part of the utility billing for water and sewer services.  By billing the resident directly, a discount is provided by the hauler, Waste Management, that the borough passes onto the property owner.

Trash collection is Wednesday morning, with exception to holidays that occur on Mondays and Tuesdays. In these circumstances, collection day will be pushed back 1 day. Trash cannot be put out prior to 6pm the night before collection, and cans must be removed by midnight the day of collection. ALL TRASH MUST BE PLACED IN THE PROVIDED WASTE MANAGEMENT TOTE OR IT WILL NOT BE PICKED UP. If you wish to purchase additional totes, please call Waste Management at 800-451-3060. 

For missed pickups, please contact 1-800-458-4090.

Yes - We Can Recycle Cardboard!

No – We Cannot Recycle Plastic Bags!

Waste Management will take cardboard in Etna Borough, but it has to be cut up (no bigger than the size of a pizza box) and placed inside the recycling bin. They will not take cardboard that is not cut to size, or left outside of the bin. Waste Management will not recycle items placed in plastic bags! Please put all recycles loosely into your recycle bin.

Refer to the “Recycling – Common Contaminants” flier on the left for items that cannot be recycled. If these items are mixed in, all items in the bin will be thrown away!

Recycling Guidelines

First, it’s important to follow the three main rules of recycling:

1.       Recycle all bottles, cans and paper
2.       Keep food and liquids out of your recycling bin
3.       Keep plastic bags out of your recycling bin

Next, make sure you’re recycling good, quality material.  Here is an overview of the types of materials that help make a successful recycling program:

Plastic Bottles, Jugs and Tubs:
Good Recyclables:
Beverage bottles, milk jugs, peanut butter jars, bottles for toiletries and laundry detergent bottles are all examples of material you can put into your single-stream recycling bin.
Not Collected in Curbside Bins:
Plastic bags and film plastic, bottles containing antifreeze and motor oil, foam packaging, packing peanuts, nylon packing straps, plastic 5-gallon buckets, plastic dinnerware or beverage cups
Preparation:
Remove lids or caps and place in the regular trash. Rinse, flatten (optional), and place them in your recycling bin for curbside pickup.
Metal (Tin, Steel, Aluminum):

Good Recyclables:

Aluminum beverage cans, any metal food or beverage container

Not Collected:

Aluminum foil, aluminum lawn chairs, aerosol cans, oil cans, paint cans or metal 5-gallon buckets

Preparation:

Drain and rinse the container. Crush the can to save space (optional). Place the item in your township recycling bin for curbside pickup.
Newspaper, Office Paper, Chipboard and Cardboard:

Good Recycleables: 

Newspaper, magazines, office paper, cardstock, magazines, product literature, telephone books, poster board, advertisements, catalogues, cartons, cardboard and cereal boxes

Not Collected:

Food wrappers, paper towels, tissues, carbon paper, used paper plates and toilet paper.

Preparation:

Make sure the paper item is large than a half sheet of paper.  Cut and flatten carboard to the size of a pizza box or smaller.  Place items in your recycling bin for curbside pickup.

Cardboard FAQ

Waste Management will take cardboard in Etna Borough, but it has to be cut up (no bigger than the size of a pizza box) and placed inside the recycling bin.  They will not take cardboard that is not cut to size, or left outside of the bin.


What is a carton?

Cartons are a type of packaging for food and beverage products you can purchase at the store. They are easy to recognize and are available in two types—shelf-stable and refrigerated.

What are cartons made from?

Cartons are mainly made from paper in the form of paperboard, as well as thin layers of polyethylene (plastic) and/or aluminum. Shelf-stable cartons contain on average 74% paper, 22% polyethylene and 4% aluminum. Refrigerated cartons contain about 80% paper and 20% polyethylene.

Are cartons recyclable?

Yes! Cartons are recyclable. In fact, the paper fiber contained in cartons is extremely valuable and useful to make new products.

Where can I recycle cartons?

To learn if your community accepts cartons for recycling, please visit RecycleCartons.com or check with your local recycling program.

How do I recycle cartons?

Simply place the cartons in your recycle bin. If your recycling program collects materials as “singlestream,” you may place your cartons in your bin with all the other recyclables. If your recycling program collects materials as “dual-stream” (paper items together and plastic, metal and glass together), please place cartons with your plastic, metal and glass containers.

Wait, you just said cartons are made mainly from paper. Don’t I want to put them with other paper recyclables?

Good question. The answer is no. Once cartons arrive at your local recycling facility, they will be sorted separately from the rest of the materials. To make this work at the facility, it is easier to modify how containers are sorted than paper. In the end, as long as all cartons are sorted and baled together, the material will then be recycled.


Below are links to event information for the Hard to Recycle and Household Chemical collections offered in partnership with the Pennsylvania Resources Council.

Following these simple rules can help you become an expert recycler. Share new knowledge with your friends and neighbors. Together, we can make the world a better – and greener – place.

To help encourage recycling, the Borough has provided 32-gallon recycling bins for residents. Recycling, along with garbage, will be collected every Wednesday by Waste Management.

If you have any questions about your bin or the recycling program, please call the Borough office at 412-781-0569. If you have any questions about recycling, or are interested in enhancing recycling at home, visit Waste Management’s Recycle Often. Recycle Right. website at www.RecycleOftenRecycleRight.com.


Waste Management brings you Recyclebank—Reward Yourself!

If you’re already recycling, you should be getting rewarded for it! Waste Management and the Borough of Etna will offer rewards when residents recycle at the curb.

How? Recycle with your Waste Management recycling cart, become a Recyclebank member and earn Recyclebank points each time you set out your cart. Recyclebank Points can be used at Recyclebank.com/wm to shop for deals and discounts to hundreds local businesses and restaurants.

Sign up today at Recyclebank.com/wm, follow the prompts to verify your home address and sit back and enjoy the rewards!

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Safely and Responsibly Dispose Your Household Hazardous Waste

Waste Management offers a convenient service to Etna Borough residents to properly dispose and recycle household hazardous waste (HHW) – safely, easily, and responsibly.  These items may include paints, household cleaners, compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), automotive products, garden chemicals, batteries, electronics and more.

To dispose of HHW materials and schedule a collection at your home, contact Waste Management At Your DoorSM in one of these three ways:
  • Go to WMATYOURDOOR.COM
  • Call (800) 449-7587 – We’re available 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. EST M-F
  • Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Managing Household Hazardous Waste:

The best method of managing Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is to prevent its generation in the first place. This involves selecting the least toxic item “to do the job” and buying only the minimum amounts necessary. Buying in large quantities is not a bargain if half of it has to be discarded. In the future, please consider buying environmentally friendly products.

Did You Know?

  • Latex paint is not a hazardous waste. It can often be donated to community groups and other organizations for re-use. Please consider this option before disposal.
  • Used motor oil is not hazardous, but may pollute our groundwater, waterways and soil if not properly managed. Many automotive station, auto parts and supply stores will accept used motor oil for recycling.
  • Automotive batteries may be exchanged at the place of purchase. Many battery retailers offer recycling even if you are not purchasing a new battery. In some cases, there may be a charge. Some scrap yards will also purchase lead acid batteries.

For more information on HHW, visit DEP at www.dep.pa.gov or at www.pa.gov

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Household Generated Special Materials

WASTE MANAGEMENT will now pick up Household Generated Special Materials As part of the residential solid waste and recycling contract with Waste Management, effective October 1, 2015, you have a convenient new opportunity to dispose of your household generated special materials - safely, easily and responsibly. Introducing the At Your Door Special Collection SM program, a residential service offered by Waste Management to provide year-round collections for you.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

1.  To Participate, you must set up a collection appointment.

There are three ways to schedule a collection:

  • Go to www.WMAtYourDoor.com
  • Call 1-800-449-7587 (Monday-Friday 8:00am-8:00pm Eastern Time)
  • Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
2.  Preparing for collection

The collection kit includes an instruction sheet and other items to help pack and secure your household generated special materials. Please read the instruction sheet included in the kit.

3.  Material is collected

On the scheduled date, the customer service technician will collect materials directly from your home. They will sort and pack the materials for proper transportation, recycling and disposal. Participants will receive a postage-paid survey card to complete and mail back to help track the program.

4.   You have more material than will fit into the Kit?

Remember, this service is available year-round. Just schedule another collection! Small quantities may be combined with your neighbors. Call Center Representatives are available from Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM ET. Leave a message after hours, weekends and holidays. Email the Call Center: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The items listed below are the most commonly collected, you will be provided specific details for you community.

Household Chemicals

Ammonia, cleaning compounds, bleach, floor stripper, drain cleaner, rust remover, carpet/upholstery cleaner, tile/shower cleaner, and more

Automotive Products

Antifreeze, motor oil, oil filters, fluids, polish, waxes, vehicle batteries, upholstery cleaners, and more

Consumer Electronics

Computers, laptops, keyboards, monitors, microwaves, DVD/CD players, CD ROM, fax machines, cell phones, VCRs, desktop printers, scanners, gaming systems, related cords, and more

Paint Products

Oil-based paint, latex paint, spray paint, artist paint, wood preservative, stain, caulk, sealer and more

Batteries

Batteries of various sizes: AA, AAA, C, D and rechargeable.

Garden Chemicals

Herbicide, insect spray/ insecticide, fertilizer, pesticide, and more

Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and straight fluorescent tubes

Thermometers and thermostats

Numerous items that contain mercury

Flammable Items

Kerosene, gasoline, solvents and more

Syringes and Lancets

Sharps, syringes, needles and lancets

Swimming Pool Chemicals

Pool acid, stabilizer, chlorine

 Items NOT accepted through this service

Asbestos Biological Waste  Medicines and prescriptions
X Ammunition and explosives  X Commercial or  business supplies  X Unknown or unlabeled materials 
X Trash, including bulky items and furniture X Incandescent light bulbs X Appliances: washing  machines, vacuums, tools, or refrigerators 
X Tires  X Liquid mercury  X Radioactive items
X Containers over 5 gallons  X Leaking or empty containers  X Smoke detectors 
X Lamp fixtures  X Construction related materials  X Items improperly packaged for  transportation
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437 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223   I      (412) 781-0569



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