Recycling Reminders & Dangers of Wish-Cycling
Recycling can have profound environmental benefits and greatly benefit our community, but only if proper recycling rules are followed. A list of items that can be recycled in your curbside recycling bin may be found at peterstownship. com / recycling. We encourage residents to review the list periodically, as items are added and adjusted over time. Recent additions to the list of accepted items include paper cups( think coffee shop cups) and more types of plastic containers( focus on shape: plastic bottles, jars, jugs, cups, tubs and not on recycling #).
Throwing items that don’ t belong in your recycling bin, even though you think they are or should be recyclable( such as plastic bags), is otherwise known as“ wish cycling”, and this can create problems at the recycling facility and prevent good recyclables from being recovered. It is important for residents to understand what items can go in their recycling bin to help limit contamination and ensure good, quality material can be sent to end users. For example, post-it notes and small or shredded sheets of paper are NOT recyclable in your curbside bin, but full
BE GREEN WHILE PROTECTING OUR STREAMS
Protecting Pennsylvania’ s Waterways Starts at Home
According to DCNR, Pennsylvania now contains over 2 million acres of lawn. Selecting a proper turfgrass management program, whether it is on a private lawn, sports field, public park, or golf course, is essential to protecting our local waterways.
Know What Your Lawn Needs
When looking to apply nutrients to your lawn, make sure you are aware of what your lawn needs and what the Pennsylvania Fertilizer Law allows. To determine your lawn’ s nutrient needs, it is best to first soil test. Following the soil test recommendations ensures that you are applying only what your lawn needs, thus reducing nutrient loss and fertilizer cost. Test kits can be purchased for a nominal fee from your local Penn State extension office
The Pennsylvania Fertilizer Law
In July 2022, Pennsylvania adopted a new fertilizer law designed to minimize the movement of nutrients into our waterways. Anyone who applies fertilizers should be aware of the following nutrient limitations.• Nitrogen is limited to 0.9 pounds of total nitrogen and 0.7 pounds of available nitrogen per 1000 ft2 per application.
• No phosphorus can be applied unless establishing or repairing turf.
• Both the nitrogen and phosphorus rates can be adjusted based on soil test recommendations and / or if using an enhanced efficiency fertilizer.
• Enhanced efficiency fertilizers are specifically designed to reduce nutrient losses to the environment while increasing availability to plants.
In addition, when applying fertilizer, applicators must follow specific environmental conditions to prevent direct movement of fertilizer nutrients into our streams.
• Do not apply if a heavy rain is expected.
• Keep fertilizer away from drainage ditches, storm drains, or water.
• Maintain a 15-foot buffer from the banks of all waterways.
• Remove fertilizer that lands on impervious surfaces( i. e. driveways, sidewalks, roads) back onto the application area.
• Do not use as a snow or ice melt.
• Do not spread fertilizer on snow-covered or frozen ground.
• Fertilizer application between December 15 and March 1 is restricted to 0.50 lbs of total nitrogen per 1000 ft 2 per application. sheets of paper are recyclable. If you have questions on what is recyclable, please call the Municipal Building at 724.941.4180.
Peters Township also encourages residents to utilize the cardboard compactor and glass recycling container, both located behind Fire Station # 1 on E. McMurray Rd. However, we ask residents to NOT place cardboard or glass on the ground if the bins are full. A large amount of time has been spent sorting and cleaning up items in the past year. The compactor and glass container are changed out regularly, so if the bins are full, please return in 1-2 days or place in your bin at home. Glass and cardboard can be placed into your curbside bin on a weekly basis.
WM AT Your Door is another program that is important for residents. This program allows residents to recycle electronics( such as TVs and computers) and hazardous waste( such as paint and chemicals) without paying any additional fees. This service is included with your quarterly bill. Visit wmatyourdoor. com or call 1.800.449.7587 to schedule a front door pickup of your items.
Read the Label Manufacturers of fertilizer products must include detailed labels that provide the nutrient content and instructions for use. As a fertilizer applicator, you are strongly encouraged to read and follow all directions and apply your fertilizer using a properly calibrated spreader.
Lawn Care Considerations Nutrient management is not the only tool that can be used for limiting nutrient loss. A few examples are listed below.
Fertilizer may not be the solution. If your lawn is not looking as healthy and green as you would like, sometimes fertilizer is not the answer. Applying fertilizer without understanding the underlying soil can result in a waste of money and nutrients. There are many soil health factors that play a critical role in maintaining your lawn. Reducing soil compaction can improve root growth and water infiltration. Maintaining an appropriate soil pH is essential to promoting proper nutrient availability. Soil texture and organic matter content influence water movement, nutrient availability, and the microbial ecosystem of the soil.
Raise your mower deck. Set your mower deck to 3 inches or higher. A taller lawn provides shade that discourages weed growth and promotes strong root development helping lawns to withstand environmental stress. Alternatively, you can use low mow turf species, such as fine fescue blends, that do best when mowing is limited. A taller, healthier lawn slows water movement and increases infiltration keeping moisture, soil, and nutrients where they are needed most.
Mulch your grass clippings. Keeping your clippings in place returns valuable organic matter and nutrients to your lawn.
Provide a buffer. Do not mow up to the banks of streams. Maintaining vegetative buffers along waterways provides wildlife habitat while slowing and filtering water before it enters the stream.
Convert your lawn. Replacing turf with native vegetation not only increases water infiltration, but also promotes biodiversity and creates habitats for pollinators and other wildlife. For more information on Lawn Conversion visit DCNR’ s website.
Working Together for Clean Water
Environmental stewardship requires teamwork. Help protect Pennsylvania’ s waterways by being wise when you fertilize! For more information on the Pennsylvania Fertilizer Law, visit the Department of Agriculture’ s website at agriculture. pa. gov / fertilizer. eters Township PETERS TOWNSHIP NEWS www. peterstownship. com 724.941.4180
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