Recycling Information

Nether Providence Township provides a weekly, co-mingled, curbside collection of a wide range of recyclable materials. B&L Disposal provides the recycling collection services to the Township, and the recycling is processed at Republic Services in King of Prussia.

Place at the curbside by 7:00 am on your scheduled pick-up day.  Please the check the “news” under the homepage http://netherprovidence.org/ on holidays as it is possible the schedule will be adjusted.

If your recycling can was missed on your normal day, please call the Township Offices at 610-566-4516 during the hours of 9 AM to 5 PM. If after-hours, leave a message or send an email to [email protected] and [email protected]. You also may contact B&L Disposal at 484-326-9774. Please notify us as soon as you are aware as it makes it easier for the issue to be corrected.

Recycling Pickup Schedule

If you’re unsure of your ward, please consult this map: Ward Map

The items that CAN be placed in a container at your curb for recycling are:

• Recycle metal food and beverage cans. This includes soda cans, other beverage cans, and food cans (including pet food), as well as aluminum pie plates and trays. Empty the containers of any leftover food or beverage residue. You do not need to remove the labels.
• Glass food and beverage containers. This includes clear, brown, and green colored glass. Discard lids, empty, and rinse out. Please do not discard broken items or any other glass items (other than what’s listed above). You do not need to remove the labels.
• Cardboard: recycle a variety of cardboard materials, including corrugated boxes (used for shipping and packing), shoeboxes, gift boxes, cereal boxes, and tissue boxes. Remove all contents and flatten boxes. Make sure cardboard items are free from food residue or grease (ex: pizza boxes). Keep items clean and dry.
• Plastics: recycle plastic bottles and jugs with a neck (where the opening is smaller than the base). Most #1 and #2 plastics fall into this category. Ensure materials are empty and rinsed out. Throw away caps. You do not need to remove the labels.
• Paper: office paper (white and colored material), along with junk mail, phone books, magazines, and newspapers. Please keep these materials clean and dry. You can also recycle paper milk and juice cartons (ensure these items are empty and rinsed out).
• Things to Remember! Bagged recyclables make it difficult to sort at recycling processing centers. Keep all recyclables loose in your recycling containers. Rinse items before placing them in the bin. Don’t be a wishful recycler! Only put approved materials in your bin.

The following items SHOULD NOT be placed in your recycling container:

• Yard Waste
• Aerosol containers or aluminum foil
• Styrofoam
• Pizza Boxes, unless free of any food or grease residue
• Food
• Diapers
• Clothing/textiles
• Plastic Bags or bagged material (newsprint may be placed in a Kraft bag)
• Mirrors, window or auto glass, light bulbs, ceramics
• Oil or antifreeze containers
• Coat hangers
• Paint cans
• Medical Waste/Sharps
• Latex gloves
• Household items (such as appliances, toasters, cooking pots or pans, etc.)
• Hard cover books
• Any other item that is not expressly included as an Acceptable Material
• The recyclable materials can be placed together in any container that is less than 65 gallons. The materials will be collected by B&L Disposal, who can be reached at 484-326-9774 B&L Disposal. All materials are taken to Republic Services (BFI Waste Services). B&L and Republic are not permitted to send items to an incinerator or landfill, or they will risk punishment in the form of fines from both the Township and the Department of Environmental Protection.
• B&L no longer will be accepting shredded paper for recycling.  It must go out with the trash.

For more information please go to: Know Before You Throw — DCSWA (delcoswa.org)

Frequently Asked Questions

The following is a list of frequently asked questions regarding recycling in Nether Providence township.

Q.  Is the recycling program part of my regular Township tax bill?
A: Yes.
The Township Board of Commissioners has created a recycling fee rebate program to offset the cost of the recycling program for our elderly lower income residents. The criteria used to qualify for the recycling fee rebate are the same as used in our existing sewer rent rebate option: residents 65 years of age or older with an annual income of less than $18,000. Please call or visit the Township office or visit the Township website to obtain a rebate request form.

Pennsylvania state law requires municipalities like Nether Providence to operate recycling programs.  Township residents can recycle two ways – by using the township’s curbside collection program.

Q. Can all glass be recycled?
A. No.
All glass food and beverage containers can be recycled.  The following types of glass cannot be recycled: Drinking Glasses, Mirrors, Ceramics, Crystal, Light Bulbs, Ovenware, Window Glass.

Q. Can all food cans be recycled?
A. Yes.

Q. Do I need to do anything to “prepare” my recyclables?
A. Rinse out glass and metal containers to avoid attracting pests.  Labels can be left on.  Remove all can or bottle lids.

Q. What is considered hazardous waste?
A. Some trash is hazardous and needs special handling. Delaware County offers Household Hazardous Waste drop-off collection several times per year.
Any item that has any of the following warnings on the label should be discarded at a household hazardous waste collection event:

• Danger
• Caution
• Warning Hazardous
• Toxic
• Poison
• Flammable
• Combustible
• Corrosive Explosive
• Reactive

For information on the Delaware County HHW drop-off program, contact the Delaware County Recycling office at 610-892-9716 or www.co.delaware.pa.us/recycle.

Q. How do I recycle used motor oil, antifreeze or car batteries?
A. These products are harmful to the environment if they are discarded with your household trash or dumped in the street or storm drain.  These items are collected for recycling at many garages and auto repair sites.  For a list of facilities that recycle these products in Delaware County, visit:  www.co.delaware.pa.us/recycle/auto.html 

Q. When does leaf collection occur?
A.  Rake leaves to the edge of your property for collection between early November and mid-December. Please keep the leaves out of the street (the police department has reported numerous hazardous conditions in regards to leaves blocking the roadway) to prevent leaves from clogging storm water sewers and from obstructing parking or traffic flow. It takes about two weeks to complete each circuit of collection along the Township’s streets at the height of leaf season.

Q. Does the township collect Christmas trees?
A. The Township will collect trees placed curbside during the first three weeks in January.  Simply remove any decorations or plastic.

Q. How do I dispose of heavy trash?
A. Please call your trash hauler.

Q. Does the township provide mulch?
A. Residents can pick up free leaf mulch at the Township Recycling Center (5 W Brookhaven Rd); or for a modest fee, you can arrange for home delivery of a full or half truckload of leaf mulch. Contact the township office for information on mulch delivery.

Q. How can I dispose of latex paint?
A. Please see the link by clicking Latex Paint flyer.

Q. How can I dispose of home healthcare waste?
A. Please see the link by clicking here: Healthcare Waste Disposal

Commercial Establishments – Recycling Information

In compliance with the Pennsylvania Mandatory Recycling Law – Act 101, Nether Providence Township is required to annually inform Commercial, Municipal and Institutional groups within its boundaries of their obligation to provide for the recycling of ALL cardboard, ALL grades of paper, clear, brown & green glass, ALL grades of plastic, bi-metallic & aluminum cans generated within their establishments as well as the requirement to compost ANY leaf waste or yard waste generated.

Each Commercial, Institutional and Municipal establishment within Nether Providence Township MUST provide for its own collection and transportation services of the items mandated for recycling.

The Township provides a drop-off center at the Township Garage, 5 West Brookhaven Road. Drop-offs will be permitted from 8 AM to noon on the first Saturday of the month and Mondays and Tuesdays from 8 AM to noon each week.

If you elect NOT to use the Township Recycling Facility you MUST submit to us at the end of the year documentation of the WEIGHT of the materials which your establishment has recycled.  I am enclosing a form to be completed with information as to who you contract with to haul away your recyclables.

Your participation is vital to the continued success of our recycling program.  If you have NOT been recycling in the past, let me encourage you to participate and be part of the solution.