Q: “How can I get a new recycle bin?  Is there a charge?”

A: Recycle bins are available at the Borough Office for $5.00 each.  The Borough purchases bins through a bid program with the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA) at a cost of approximately $6.50 each.  The LCSWMA buys the bins in bulk for municipalities at a competitive price, which in turns assists municipalities in offering bins to their residents at a better price.

Q: “How can I get the biodegradable Kraft leaf bags required for the leaf collection?”

A: The Borough provides the biodegradable Kraft leaf bags to residents free of charge while supplies last.  A schedule is posted on the website and in the Borough newsletter and advertised in the newspaper prior to the leaf collections in the fall and spring for leaf bag distribution.  Leaf bags are distributed on an honor system basis at the park office on Verdant Alley in Community Park.   Residents are asked to take only the bags they need and to limit the number of bags to 25 maximum each time they get bags.  The Borough purchases 46,000 Kraft leaf bags each year through a purchasing program with the LCSWMA at a cost of approximately $0.28 each.  Residents can also purchase biodegradable Kraft leaf bags at local home improvement stores.

Q: “What day will my trash be picked up if my usual day falls on a Holiday?”

A: If a Holiday falls on a collection day, pickup will be moved to the following Saturday. For example, on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday collection will be moved to the following Saturday. Wednesday and Friday collections would not be affected.

Q: “Is burning permitted in the Borough?”

A: After much discussion and investigation, the Borough Council voted to ban open burning within the Borough. Environmental and safety concerns were two major reasons for the vote.

Q: “Is there a discount for paying the $160 trash bill all at once?”

A: Yes. An $8 discount applies, making the annual fee $152 per unit, if paid in full by January 31st.

Q: “Help! My trash wasn’t picked up. What can I do other than wait another week?”

A: Call the Borough office (367-1700) as soon as you notice the oversight. The trash and recycling drivers check in with the office at the end of each day’s route. * Please make sure to set your trash and recycling out the night before your pick up day. The drivers do not always follow the same time schedule.

Q: “How do I get rid of grass clippings and other yard waste such as twigs and small branches?”

A: Although we strongly encourage backyard composting or following the "let it lay" after mulching with the mower, yard waste and grass clippings may be placed in the trash container with your regular trash. In 2008 two leaves and yard waste collections were added to aid in the removal of these items.  Branches and other woody waste are collected curbside once a month. Please be sure all containers and bundles are within the 40 pound weight limit.

Q: “Are paint cans recyclable?”

A: Although most paint cans are made of recyclable material, the container must be completely empty before it can be recycled. Because this is virtually impossible, we recommend that residents allow the can to completely dry out and then dispose in a trash bag. If there is still a significant amount of paint left in the can, it must be treated as hazardous waste and taken to the Lancaster County Solid Waste Authority (397-9968) for disposal. Other household wastes include: household cleaners, turpentine, thinner, auto products and fluids such as batteries and oil.

Q: "I am an owner of rental properties in Elizabethtown. Will I receive a trash bill for my properties or will the tenants?

A: Trash bills will be mailed to owners of residential properties with four units or less. Each unit is billed as a separate unit at the $160 annual rate (the discount applies for pre-payment). For example, if you have a residential property with four units, you will be billed $160 x 4 units = $640 total. Tenants will not be billed directly. It is the responsibility of the property owner to be sure the trash bills are paid.

Q: "What happens if my residential property has five units or more?"

A: If you are the owner of a residential property with five units or more, you are not required to be on the Borough's trash program, although you may choose to do so at the $160 rate per unit (discount applies for pre-payment). It is the responsibility of the property owner to contact the Borough Office and register the property for trash and collection service. If you register, trash and recycling services will begin at the start of a new six-month period if signed agreement is received by a) December 1st of the previous calendar year for services to be received January 1 to July 31 and b) June 1st for services to be received July 1 to December 31.  If you do not utilize the Borough's program, however, you are still required to provide trash and recycling services to your residential units.

Q: "I am a small commercial business located downtown. Can I use the Borough trash and recycling program?"

A: Small commercial businesses may be included on the Borough's trash and recycling program. The owner of the property where the business resides must contact the Borough to register the building. The property owner will be billed the $160 annual fee for each unit in the building (discount applies for pre-payment). All units in the building are required to participate in the program.

Q: "I own a building downtown with two residential units upstairs and one commercial business on the first floor. The building has less than four units. Is this building required to be on the program?"

A: Buildings with a mixed use of commercial (not including home occupations)and residential are considered commercial. Even though the building may have less than four units, it is not required to participate in the Borough's trash and recycling program because it is considered commercial, not residential. However, the property owner may choose to participate in the program. If so, the property owner will be billed the $160 annual fee per unit (discount applies with pre-payment). All units in the building, including the commercial unit, must be included.

Q: "Who is the trash hauler for Elizabethtown Borough?"

A: Borough Council awarded a three-year contract to Penn Waste, Inc. to begin January 2008 and end December 31, 2010 for trash and recycling services. For more information about Penn Waste, visit their website at www.pennwaste.com or call 717-767-4456 for their business office.