GIRARD – It’s still a few months before the trash bins are set up, the tractor-trailers are in place and the municipal helpers are in place. There’s still a few more months for trash and household waste to accumulate in residential properties.
Despite the fact that the annual joint municipal recycling and cleanup day isn’t until September, a dedicated crew of municipal officials and volunteers are working to get the project started.
According to Lyne Daniels, secretary for Platea Borough and director of the recycling day, there are seven municipalities that have confirmed their participation in this year’s event. Cranesville, Girard and Platea boroughs and Elk Creek, Franklin, Girard and Springfield townships have confirmed their involvement in the event, which is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 22 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Each year, residents of these municipalities can drop off their household waste and recyclables to the designated location, just south of Interstate 90 in Girard Township.
Lake City Borough is not participating this year, while Conneaut Township has yet to respond to the invitation.
Platea Borough submits a request for tire collection through the Department of Environmental Protection. Each year, the cleanup day brings in several tractor-trailers filled with used tires that are disposed of correctly.
There will again be a prize giveaway for those involved in the cleanup day. Each municipality that participates in the recycling day is required to provide two donations for the event. Municipalities must submit their prize information to the committee by Aug. 4. For the last three years, Waste Management has donated the grand prize of a year of free services.
The committee decided that the cash donations that are collected this year would be given to the West County Paramedics Association. Two years ago, the local libraries received the funds, while last year, the local food pantries received the donations.
Vendors lined up for this year’s recycling project include Liberty Tire, Lincoln Metal, Waste Management, Environmental Coordination Services & Recycling, Patton’s Appliance, Safety Kleen, Moore Sanitation and Faulkner’s Printing.
Councilman Bill Kuhn, from Platea Borough, agreed once again to perform site preparation and maintenance prior to the event. Bill Taylor, from Elk Creek Township, is spearheading a committee to make minor repairs to the roadway of the recycling site.
The group is still looking and will continue to look for volunteers for the event.
“It cannot be said enough – all municipalities should start now in recruiting workers for the event,” Daniels stated in the meeting minutes. “All workers need gloves and must sign in and out for insurance purposes.”
Volunteers from the Platea Volunteer Fire Company will provide traffic control and emergency equipment for the entire day. Each municipality donates $100 for a gas card for the fire company.
Christopher LaFuria can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at (84) 756-4133.
