ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Yard-waste collection season kicked off again last month in Allentown.
But unlike in previous years, it won’t come to a close in the fall.
The city is moving to year-round yard waste collection in June after Allentown officials last year hired a new trash and recycling hauler to serve the city’s more than 125,000 residents.
The five-year, $90 million contract with J.P. Mascaro & Sons — which could rise to $180 million if officials trigger two two-year extensions — will take effect June 1, after the city’s nine-year deal with Waste Management expires.
Residents are set to pay significantly more than last year for trash services under the new contract, with fees to climb more than 75% in just two years.
But that’s cheaper than it would’ve been if the city extended its contract with Waste Management. An extension would’ve cost the city $10.2 million more in just the contract’s first year.
Waste Management collects yard waste once a week, but J.P. Mascaro crews are set to pick it up every other week throughout the year.
The new collector will divide the city into 10 sections, which will be served on separate weekdays throughout each two-week period.
Most residents will continue to place their yard waste out for collection along with their recycling, though some will move to new collection days, according to the city’s overview of changes to trash services.
Allentown's yard-waste drop-off site is open Wednesdays and Saturdays through mid-November.
Officials last fall expanded the city's senior rebate program ahead of the trash-fee hike.
Fewer than 50 people qualified under prior requirements; about 1,000 residents are now eligible for help.
