Recycling/Compost of Emmaus PA
Commercial Recycling
Refuse and Recycling Information
Refuse and Recycling Information (PDF)
Recycling
Single Stream Recycling—The Borough adopted an expanded list of recyclables that will no longer need to be separated. The following list includes many types of items that were not previously recycled. In addition, you will no longer need to use Borough issued recyclng containers. You can simply use a regular garbage can and place all recyclable items into the same can. Use a marker or other labeling method to identify the container as holding recyclables. All of the recyclables are commingled, so that you do not need to separate the items.
- Aluminum food and beverage containers
- Glass food and beverage containers—brown, clear, or green
- Ferrous (Iron) cans
- PET plastic containers with the symbol #1—with screw tops only, without caps
- HDPE natural plastic containers with the symbol #2—narrow neck containers only (milk and water bottles)
- HDPE pigmented plastic containers with the symbol #2—narrow neck containers only, without caps (detergent, shampoo bottles, etc.)
- Plastics with symbols #3, #4, #5, #6, #7—narrow and screw top containers
- Newsprint
- Corrugated cardboard
- Magazines
- Catalogues
- Cereal boxes
- Telephone books
- Printer paper
- Copier paper
- All other office paper without wax liners
Hazardous materials can be properly disposed of at one of Lehigh County’s household hazardous waste collection events during the year. Contact Lehigh County LCA Wastewater Pretreatment Plant at 610-799-4177 ext. 229 to schedule your appointment.
Composting/Alternative Yard Management Practices
The Borough is very pleased to have the resources of the Emmaus Compost Center, located on Klines Lane to serve the public for its yard waste as well as using compost and wood mulch in their yards. The Borough, starting on March 9 until December 7, 2011, permits residents to bring their yard clippings, branches, and small shrubs to be deposited at the compost center, as well as allowing residents to take home screened compost and wood mulch.
Christmas Tree Collection
Christmas tree collection will begin on Tuesday, December 27, 2011, and continue through Friday, January 13, 2012. Please place your tree at the curb, WITHOUT A BAG. The Public Works Department will pick it up. Trees discarded after January 13th will not be picked up. After that, residents must take their tree to the Compost Site for disposal. The Compost Site will be open January 16 to 20, 2012, from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for disposal of Christmas trees and other yard waste.
| Closed on Holidays | Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and November 25, 2011 |
| March 9th to May 4th | Wednesdays 7:30 am to 7:30 pm or dusk Saturdays 8:00 am to 4:00 pm |
| May 9th to Sept 26th | Mondays 7:30 am to 2:30 pm Wednesdays 7:30 am to 7:30 pm or dusk Saturdays 8:00 am to 4:00 pm |
| Sept. 28th to Oct 15th | Wednesdays 7:30 am to 7:30 pm or dusk Saturdays 8:00 am to 4:00 pm |
| Oct 19th to Dec 7th | (Leaf Collection) Mon., Tues., Thurs., & Fri. 7:30 am to 2:00 pm Wednesdays 7:30 am to 7:30 pm or dusk Saturdays 8:00 am to 4:00 pm |
Loading is available on Wednesdays after 3 p.m. and on Saturdays. Unscreened compost and wood chip mulch are available for a loading fee of $10 for a pick-up/trailer, $20 for a single axle dump, and $30 for a double axle dump or larger. Screened compost, for Borough residents only, is available for a loading fee of $15 per full or partial scoop. Please call the Public Works Department at 610-965-9288, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with any questions or comments. We stop loading 45 minutes prior to closing so that equipment can be cleaned and maintained.
We only accept organic yard waste. No lumber, root balls with dirt, garbage, dirt, building materials, etc. is allowed. If you observe violations, please obtain the offender’s license plate number and report the incident to 610-965-9288. Your report will remain anonymous.
Emmaus Borough Council is very interested in having the community become better stewards of the land and would like to educate the public about alternative yard management practices that enhance the protection of water resources and environment habitats, how best to use the compost centers, and remind everyone of the Borough's recycling policy. The Joint Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) of the Borough of Emmaus and Upper Milford Township has undertaken a community education project to provide local homeowners with some simple actions that will go a long way in helping the environment.
The first and easiest step that you can take is by modifying your lawn care. Review how you maintain your yard by cutting only 1/2 of your grass blade's length. In this way, your grass will grow more slowly and require less mowing. This will also slow storm water runoff, minimize erosion, and filter out particulates and contaminants associated with storm water. The second step you make to help the environment is to plant trees. Trees reduce energy bills by shading your home and also help to minimize erosion. Tree roots also help storm water enter the ground and recharge the underground water sources. Another step you can take is to protect backyard streams. Allow for a wide planted strip alongside your stream. This buffer will help reduce erosion, slow runoff and create a healthy habitat around the stream. The use of rain barrels is another method of helping the environment. The rain barrel can be used as free, pure water which your garden will love and will also reduce storm water runoff. Perhaps you can create a rain garden which will soak up and filter the water from your downspouts. A rain garden is built by digging an area 3-4 inches deep and about 20-30% of the surface of your roof. This area can be planted with native plants which can tolerate periods of wet soil. Please try any or all of the above mentioned thoughts to help you do your part in the greening of America.
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