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Did you know that 1 in 8 Pennsylvanians experiences food insecurity?
At the same time, Pennsylvania tossed out 2.89 million tons of surplus food in 2022—demonstrating a critical disconnect between food waste and hunger across the state.
That said, there’s one city that stands out for its strong commitment to sustainability: Allentown.
As one of the fastest-growing regions in the Northeast, Lehigh Valley has pushed Allentown to take a strategic approach to waste management in order to meet its waste reduction goals and address the environmental and social consequences of food waste.
From Allentown’s proactive approach to waste management and recycling to the availability of resources and services provided by the city and private entities, we’re covering everything you need to know about Allentown waste management.
Key Takeaways
- The Bureau of Recycling and Solid Waste works to keep Allentown clean and sustainable by managing waste collection, recycling, yard waste services, public education, and community environmental initiatives.
- Allentown offers various city-run programs to help small businesses manage commercial waste, including drop-off centers, document shredding services, and the City’s Curbside Collection program, which provides twice-weekly trash pickup and once-weekly unlimited recycling.
- Companies that produce large quantities of waste, need frequent pickups, or require customized solutions can benefit from partnering with a private food waste management company to access services like composting, anaerobic digestion, and liquid waste disposal.
- Businesses looking to improve their waste management practices should conduct food waste audits, engage employees in recycling efforts, and establish clear policies for separating recyclables, compostables, and trash.
How Waste is Managed in Allentown
What waste management services are available in Allentown? How can you get involved?
There are two main things you should know about Allentown waste management: the role of the Bureau of Recycling and Solid Waste and the services available for residents.
The Role of the Bureau of Recycling & Solid Waste
The Bureau of Recycling and Solid Waste is an agency that works to keep Allentown clean and sustainable. Operating under Allentown’s Department of Public Works, the Bureau performs various responsibilities and initiatives to enhance waste management in Allentown, Pennsylvania, such as:
- Overseeing municipal waste collection, recycling programs, and yard waste services.
- Conducting public education campaigns on recycling and waste reduction.
- Collaborating with community groups to promote environmental initiatives.
Residential Waste Management Services
To enhance the city of Allentown recycling efforts, there are several initiatives aimed at residential waste management. The Allentown trash and recycling program includes four key services that support proper waste disposal and sustainability.
Trash Collection
Allentown PA trash collection allows for pickup twice a week, with a limit of up to 5 bags (30 gallons, 40 pounds each) or 2 cans (32 gallons, 70 pounds each) per night. Residents should place their trash out after 5pm on collection night and remove containers from the curb within 12 hours after pickup.
Since there are separate recycling and yard waste services, only regular house garbage should be included in your trash bag.
Recycling Services
Allentown recycling is a single-stream recycling system, meaning all recyclable materials can be placed in the same city-issued bin. Residents have access to free recycling bins, which can be picked up at 641 S. 10th St. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Allentown recycling center is open 24/7 for residents to drop off their recyclable paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, metal, and more.
Yard Waste Collection
From April to November, Allentown provides residents with yard waste collection services. This service collects yard waste generated on residents’ property—such as grass, leaves, branches, and trimmings—on their designated recycling night.
It’s important to note that yard waste will not be accepted in plastic bags or Allentown recycling bins. All yard waste must be placed in brown paper lawn bags or rigid containers.
There’s also a dedicated drop-off site located at 1401 Oxford Drive, open Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Wednesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Bulk Item Disposal
As part of Allentown waste management, residents can use bulk item disposal to dispose of large, non-recyclable items that don’t fit in standard trash cans. This service accepts 1 bulk item per week—such as furniture or a mattress—or up to 40 pounds of construction material, which must be bundled or placed in a trash bag or can.
Bulk waste is only collected on the second night of your collection week: Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, depending on your address.
Commercial Waste Disposal in Allentown
Effective commercial food waste disposal helps businesses manage waste from overproduction, leftovers, food scraps, and more.
To address business waste in Allentown PA, companies can explore both city-provided and private waste management services.
City Services for Small Businesses
There are various city-run programs that help small businesses manage commercial waste in Allentown PA—such as drop-off centers and free document shredding services available to Allentown-based businesses.
The drop-off center is located at 1400 Martin Luther King Jr Drive and is open year-round, making it a convenient option for businesses to dispose of eligible commercial waste responsibly.
Small businesses can also apply to be included in the City’s Curbside Collection program, which offers twice-weekly trash pickup (up to 5 bags or 2 cans per collection) and once-weekly unlimited recycling.
By getting involved in these programs, businesses can save money on waste management while reducing their environmental footprint. However, these programs are aimed toward small businesses, so if your business generates large quantities of waste, you may want to consider private waste management services.
Private Waste Management Providers
Companies that produce large quantities of waste, need frequent waste pickups, or require customized waste solutions can benefit from partnering with a private food waste recycling company and collector.
By working with a private provider, you can explore various waste management solutions, such as composting, anaerobic digestion, and liquid waste disposal, among others.
At Shapiro, we prioritize waste management sustainability, offering customized solutions tailored to the unique needs of your business. We’ll work closely with you to help you overcome industry-specific obstacles and achieve your sustainability goals.
Special Waste Management Considerations
In addition to enhancing your company’s organic waste management, you should also understand how to recycle hazardous materials and electronics to comply with food waste laws in the U.S. and reduce environmental impact.
Hazardous Waste Disposal
As explained by the EPA, hazardous waste that is improperly managed poses a serious threat to human health and the environment.
This includes household hazardous waste, which refers to leftover household products that can catch fire, react, or explode under certain circumstances, or that are corrosive or toxic, such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides.
The same concerns apply to businesses, with common types of hazardous waste including solvents, cleaning agents, laboratory chemicals, and electronic waste, among others.
To address these concerns, there are Allentown waste disposal services—such as the Allentown Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event, a scheduled time and location where residents can safely dispose of unwanted household chemicals that may be harmful to the environment.
Businesses concerned with complying with EPA standards for hazardous waste recycling can also use private services—such as those mentioned above—to safely manage harmful materials and meet regulatory requirements.
Electronic Waste
Electronics can produce toxic chemicals when recycled inappropriately, which is why they’re no longer allowed to be disposed of in landfills.
If you have an electronic device—such as a computer, keyboard, monitor, printer, scanner, laptop, or television—you can use Allentown’s electronic recycling service, which is available by appointment only.
You can schedule an appointment by calling 610-437-8729.
Tips for Improving Your Waste Management
While Allentown provides various services to improve waste management, there are also strategies that residents and businesses can implement to enhance sustainability.
Tips for Residents
If you live in Allentown and want to improve your household waste management, consider the following tips:
- Properly clean and sort recyclables to prevent contamination.
- Donate any edible surplus items when possible.
- Regularly check the Allentown recycling schedule and guidelines.
- Utilize the drop-off center for items not accepted in curbside collection.
- Use reusable bags and containers to reduce single-use plastic waste.
- Educate others about food waste collection and pickup services, waste management practices, and sustainability.
Strategies for Businesses
Businesses interested in enhancing their Allentown waste management practices should consider the following tips:
- Conduct food waste audits to identify areas for improvement.
- Engage employees in recycling initiatives and training.
- Set clear internal policies for separating recyclables, compostables, and trash.
- Label all waste and recycling bins clearly to avoid contamination.
- Donate unsold edible food to local food banks or charities.
And lastly, partnering with a waste management provider that aligns with your sustainability objectives ensures you stay compliant, reduce your environmental impact, and maximize the efficiency of your waste reduction efforts.
At Shapiro, our waste management solutions are cost-effective and non-disruptive to your day-to-day business operations, meaning you can enjoy advanced solutions without the headache of staying up to date with evolving compliance regulations.
Conclusion
Allentown has done a great job of providing waste management services to support residents and businesses in reducing waste and promoting sustainability.
To contribute to Allentown waste management initiatives, everyone must do their part to reduce waste at the source and divert waste from landfills—which may include getting involved in local programs or partnering with a private provider, depending on your unique needs.
If your company produces large quantities of waste or requires a tailored solution, then partnering with an experienced waste management provider like Shapiro can help you navigate the complexities of disposal, compliance, and sustainable waste reduction.
To learn more about our waste management services, contact us today.
Baily Ramsey, an accomplished marketing specialist, brings a unique blend of anthropological insight and marketing finesse to the digital landscape. Specializing in educational content creation, she creates content for various industries, with a particular interest in environmental initiatives.
