Shenango Valley garbage service fees rise

HERMITAGE, Pa. -- The cost of garbage and recycling services is going up in four Shenango Valley municipalities effective Feb. 1.
A three-year contract for that service held by Waste Management of Pennsylvania in Hermitage, Sharon, Farrell and Wheatland expires Jan. 31, and the four municipalities, working through the Mercer County Regional Council of Governments, put out joint bids for the service.
Tri-County Industries of Grove City was the low bidder for a new three-year contract, and Hermitage and Farrell officials have already approved the terms of the agreement.
Sharon and Wheatland councils are expected to vote later this month.
Hermitage, Farrell and Sharon residents were all paying $8.23 per month for unlimited weekly garbage pickups with a 90-gallon bin provided by the contractor. They also had the option of paying $1.11 for individual garbage bags.
Recycling was 61 cents per bag or 61 cents per month with municipal-provided recycling bins.
All three cities are required by state law to have recycling programs.
New rate
The new rate for garbage bags is $1.84 each but that cost will also cover weekly recycling pickups that will no longer require special bags. Each municipality will provide residents with plastic bins for curbside recycling collection.
The rate for unlimited garbage pickup with a 90-gallon bin provided by the contractor will rise to $11.41 per month but that also includes weekly recycling pickups.
All new rates will remain in effect for the life of the contract.
Wheatland has a somewhat different arrangement.
Residents there now can buy garbage bags at $1.11 each and recycling bags at 61 cents each. The borough is already providing garbage bins, so the monthly cost for that service is just $7.43 a month for unlimited pickup.
That fee will rise to $8.56 a month under the Tri-County contract. Recycling isn't mandatory in Wheatland, but if residents want to recycle using bins provided by the municipality, that cost will be $2.28 per month for weekly pickups.