04/22/24 - 117 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/9bh4zbtr
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Joint Conservation Committee Holds Hearing On Ways To Reduce Rural Dumping
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The Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee this week heard testimony on ways to reduce rural dumping through measures like mandatory trash collection. The hearing was chaired by Sen. David Argall (R-Schuylkill) who pointed out a 2008 poll by Mansfield University found strong support for mandatory trash collection, but noted the hearing was designed to hear all sides of the issue.
Sharon Reiter, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, said county by county surveys of dumping in the Commonwealth found over 5,700 illegal dumpsites. She said while volunteers have cleaned up hundreds of these sites, there is no silver bullet to deal with illegal dumping. Stopping illegal dumping and keeping sites clean once they are cleaned up takes a multi-pronged and integrated approach that includes public education, stronger enforcement of existing laws and access to convenient and affordable trash and recycling programs.
Cory Adams, PA State Association of Township Supervisors, said mandatory waste collection should be a decision made at the local level, not one mandated in Harrisburg in a one-size-fits-all approach. Adams said additional tools like more authority to prosecute illegal dumping, a mandatory waste tire fee, increased financial support for recycling programs and restoring the authority of counties to set a county waste tipping fee would give local governments more tools to deal with the issue. Frank Denbowski, City of Reading, said illegal dumping cost the city $300,000 last year and $240,000 for increase enforcement personnel. He said a variety of measures recommended by community groups have been adopted, but nothing has solved the problem. Denbowski said to be successful, the incentive to illegally dump trash must be eliminated. Geoff Zolna, Recycling Manager In Reading, told the Committee a mandate for residents to contract with a licensed waste hauler has been unenforceable and impractical. Tracking and determining who does and does not comply is impossible.
Nigel Walker, Reading Beautification, Inc., said mandatory trash collection is not the sole solution to illegal dumping and recommended stronger enforcement, taking action against illegal haulers and convert the city to a single hauler system.
Robert Bylone, PA Recycling Markets Center, Inc., said there should be an integrated approach to address waste and recycling solutions. He said sustainable materials management, producer responsibility, enforcement, disposal bans, logistics efficiency and planning are all steps to be considered.
Scott Wagner, PA Waste Industries Association, said implementation of a mandatory trash collection program could result in problems and recommended a statewide uniform specifications to apply to bidding municipal waste collection and disposal contracts. He also recommended allowing waste companies to file a mechanics lien against delinquent customers to improve the quality of service.
Rep. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) serves as Chair of the Committee.
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9/19/2011 |
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