IN McKeesport Spring 2016 | Page 40

The Penn State Regional Martin Luther King Day of Service event brought volunteers to human service agencies and public work sites across the area on January 18. In Renziehausen Park, students from the Greater Allegheny, Behrend and DuBois campuses cleared tree limbs, trash and other debris. Students said they were happy to join Penn State’s effort to make big impacts on small communities through volunteerism. CLEANUP C IT Y O F MC KE ES POR T NE WS cKeesportt cKeespor Recycling program emphasizes business participation McKeesport businesses can have a major impact on the effectiveness of our city’s recycling effort. As the city continues to promote single-stream recycling with residential curbside pickup, business owners should know they can participate in a similar program with their own garbage collection providers. By law, commercial, municipal and institutional establishments must develop a system for separating high-grade office paper, aluminum, corrugated paper, leaf waste, clear glass or plastic. Proof that any or all of these materials have been recycled must be submitted to the city with an annual report outlining the number of tons recycled. McKeesport community development director A.J. Tedesco said the city’s recycling laws will be enforced as the local recycling program continues to grow. “Enforcement of these regulations is the first step in increasing our recycling program. There will be more to come for residents and business owners,” Tedesco said. With increased business participation in applicable recycling programs, McKeesport is able to reduce its carbon footprint while reducing user costs at regional landfills. “When residents and businesses take part in our recycling programs, (the garbage) doesn’t end up in a landfill. That’s the important part,” public works director Steve Kondrosky said. “These materials are able to be recycled and reused. The more we 38 McKeesport Area can keep out of the landfill, the better off we all are because our environment is very important.” This year, paperwork regarding the process of reporting recycled materials is being distributed to every business. For more information, contact the McKeesport Public Works Department at 412-675-5020, ext. 631. Residential Leaf and Branch Collection The City of McKeesport Public Works Department collects leaves during the fall months. Residents should sweep leaves to the curb for pickup. Leaves are NOT to be swept into the street. For more information, dates and a collection schedule for Fall 2016, call 412-675-5020, ext. 631. Branches are collected at the curb and mulched year round. To schedule a pickup, residents should contact the Public Works Department at 412-675-5020, ext. 631.