To Prevent Illegal Dumping, State Panel Weighing Mandatory Trash Collection In Pa.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - A state legislative committee is deciding whether to recommend mandatory trash collection on a statewide basis in Pennsylvania.
The broader problem is how to stop illegal trash dumping. Scott Wagner of the Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association told a legislative panel that making trash collection mandatory would help.
"Instead of someone using the dumpster down at the convenience store or throwing it on the highway, or burning their trash or throwing it in the woods, they're going to put the trash out at the curb because that's going to be a requirement, and they're going to pay for that service," Wagner said.
But Shannon Reiter, president of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, says her group has found that while among the municipalities that don't have mandatory trash collection, 60% had at least one illegal dump site, so did 44% of municipalities that do have the requirement.
She says mandatory collection alone is not the solution, "Enforcement and public education are critical to deal with illegal dumping."
The panel is expected to make recommendations in a few months.
Reported by Harrisburg Bureau Chief Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio 1060
