Somerset Borough Recycles

Question: Will there be a Charge for collecting recyclable materials?

  • Answer: Any cost will be decided by your hauler/collector.

Question: How will recyclable items be collected?

  • Answer: The Borough of Somerset will require that all haulers licensed to pick up trash in the Borough also collect recyclable materials from their customers. Each resident, business, etc. may choose any hauler licensed by the Borough to collect their recyclables.

Question: Can a residential customer take recyclables directly to a recycling center?

  • Answer: Yes

Question: What happens if a resident or business co-mingles or does not separate recyclables items from other household waste.

  • Answer: It will be a violation of application laws. Ultimately fines may be imposed and haulers may not collect your trash until the designated recyclables are separated from other waste.

Question: What day will recyclable items be collected?

  • Answer: Contact your hauler for specific details.

Question: How are automotive (lead acid) batteries disposed of?

  • Answer: Automotive batteries may not be disposed of within municipal solid waste. These batteries must be taken to a retailer or wholesaler of lead acid batteries, or to a collection or recycling facility or secondary lead smelter approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Question: What cannot be recycled?

  • Answer: According to the PA Department of Environmental Resources, the following items are not yet put into any recycling program: Window glass, light bulbs, crystal, ceramics, waxed paper, magazines, glossy paper, foam coffee cups, oil contaminated with antifreeze, and household batteries.
 Residential Program

What To Recycle?

Clear glass and colored jars

  • Rinse bottles and jars thoroughly.
  • Remove any metal neck rings. Paper labels need not to be removed.
  • Do not crush or break glass.
  • No window glass, dishes, drinking glasses, light bulbs, ceramics or cookware.

Aluminum cans

  • Rinse thoroughly.
  • Crush them if you are able.
All Recycled material mentioned on the left, plus leaf and grass clippings MUST NOT be included in your regular garbage bags or cans. The recycled materials must be disposed of separately for transportation to the recycling facility.  Curbside collection of recyclable materials will be available from your hauler. You may make arrangements for pickup with any permitted hauler to have recyclable materials taken to a recycling center. If you wish, you may take your recyclables directly to a recycling center. If your hauler does not provide collection bins (containers), you can use any sturdy container such as a cardboard box, crate or bucket.
Commercial Program

What To Recycle?

Clear glass and colored jars

  • Rinse bottles and jars thoroughly.
  • Remove any metal neck rings. Paper labels need not to be removed.
  • Do not crush or break glass.
  • No window glass, dishes, drinking glasses, light bulbs, ceramics or cookware.

Aluminum cans

  • Rinse thoroughly.
  • Crush them if you are able.

High grade office paper

  • Store in paper bags or tie in flattened bundles.

Corrugated paper

  • Store in paper bags or tie in flattened bundles.
All Recycled material mentioned to the left, plus leaf and grass clippings MUST NOT be included in your regular garbage bags or cans. The recycled materials must be disposed of separately for transportation to the recycling facility.  Owners, landlords, or agents of owners or commercial property shall submit an annual report to the Borough of Somerset reporting the tonnage of materials recycled during the previous year. A permitted collector may serve as agent and submit the report for the owner or
landlord.