Automated trash, recycling carts generating mixed reviews in Penn Hills

“Atrocious,” “an eyesore” and “an insult to the community.”

Resident Jim Getsy is talking about the free trash and recycling carts distributed throughout Penn Hills in December.

Not everyone feels so strongly, but the new receptacles have generated dozens of phone calls to the municipality and hundreds of online comments, both for and against the change.

These wheeled carts, designed for automated collection, were rolled out as part of a renewed five-year, $26.5 million contract between Penn Hills and Republic Services. That’s an $8.7 million increase compared to the last five-year deal, but sticking with manual collection would have cost about $32 million, according to Penn Hills planning director Chris Blackwell.

The contract did not result in any changes to the collection schedule or types of items accepted. Residents can put out up to 10 items weekly, including two bulk items. Carts should be placed 5 feet from other objects with 15 feet of overhead clearance.

Common complaints include the blue color of the trash cans and delivery issues, according to Mayor Pauline Calabrese.

The new cans have some fans, too.

“The municipality and Republic are trying to track the calls, but from my perspective, the people that are contacting me, I’m probably getting more compliments than complaints,” Calabrese said.

Resident Jamie Rhoades said she has been in favor of the switch “from the beginning.” Her old, smaller cans would overflow, especially around Christmastime.

Still, she understands why the carts may not be ideal for everyone.

“We’re younger. We have a flat driveway,” Rhoades said. “There’s plenty of houses in Penn Hills with hills and steps, so I do understand how that could be difficult for some people.”

While resident Corrinne Jeffers said she was happy to have the carts delivered, she noted “they’re just too big.”

Jeffers, 59, has a disability that often forces her to use a cane. Wheeling the 95-gallon trash and 65-gallon recycling bins up and down her sloped driveway has been a challenge.

“I wish they had a smaller option for people who don’t need huge cans like that … or other options for people with disabilities,” Jeffers said.

In a letter to the Penn Hills Progress, Getsy expressed his frustration with the “oversized” bins, saying the unwieldiness is prompting some residents to keep them curbside longer or visible in front of their homes.

“People can’t move these cans,” he said. “They’re lining the streets. They’re up against garage doors.”

According to Blackwell, smaller carts will be available for exchange after a four-month trial period, though the exact size has yet to be determined.

“Penn Hills staff and Republic staff are meeting monthly and discussing the issues that are coming up,” Blackwell said.

For residents having the opposite problem, additional carts can be purchased from Republic for $85.

As for old bins, including the red bins used for recycling, Blackwell suggests using them for outdoor storage or putting them on the curb with a note for collection. Some might even fit inside of the carts, he noted.

They cannot be recycled, according to Renee Shipley of Republic Services.

Despite some early challenges, Calabrese believes in the benefits of going automated, from less flyaway litter to reduced physical strain on sanitation workers.

“We’re not the only municipality that has new cans,” Calabrese said. “This is happening all over the country and in the region.”

For municipalities that move to automated collection, complaints often follow.

Plum made the switch in 2016, and within two months, local officials handled more than 800 related phone calls, about 500 exchange requests and three unruly residents at the borough building.

Tarentum rolled out the carts in July, prompting concerns from multiple residents at council meetings, who questioned the feasibility of automated collection.

Backlash is just part of local government, in Rhoades’ view.

“It’s not like we’re the first community to ever do this, and this was the most cost-effective route to go,” Rhoades said. “I’m sure people would complain if they went with the higher contract.”