Joint Lawrence-Mercer recycling program will benefit both counties

By MARY GRZEBIENIAK

news@vindy.com

NEW CASTLE, Pa.

Lawrence County’s Department of Recycling and Solid Waste will launch a similar program in Mercer County in an arrangement expected to benefit both counties.

Jerry Zona, coordinator of Lawrence County’s Solid Waste and Recycling Office, told Lawrence County commissioners Tuesday that Lawrence County will save approximately $45,000, or about 15 percent of its current $300,000 budget for the department, by entering the arrangement.

Zona explained after the meeting that Lorraine Ranchod, who is assistant director of the Lawrence County department, will become Mercer County Recycling Coordinator, though her office will remain at the Lawrence County Government Center. Her $31,000 salary will increase to $39,000 with the new duties, and her wages will be eligible for half the salary and benefits to be reimbursed by the state. The other half will be paid by Mercer County.

In addition, Zona said the two counties will be able to share expenses and that funding is easier to get when two counties cooperate.

Ranchod said she will start a program in Mercer County that will be similar to the one in Lawrence County that advises municipalities on recycling, helps in cleanup of dumps, engages in community education and outreach on such topics as composting and arranges special collections of recyclables such as tires and electronics. Zona also said the department will work on doing required updating of the state-required solid-waste plan for Mercer County.

She said that the new cooperative arrangement with Mercer County allows for new relationships and possibilities. She said, for example, that she has already made contacts at Thiel College in Greenville for possible projects.