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Recycling nets $100K for bike paths

5-year program has led to 10.7% of trash being recycled.

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By Denise Wilson, Staff Writer 11:38 AM Friday, February 24, 2012

WEST CHESTER TWP. — Residents recycling efforts have proved to be a big boon for the development of walk and bike paths, and routes in West Chester Twp.

The township has earned nearly $100,000 through collection of recyclable refuse from residents since the start of Butler County’s Recycle to Win Program, which began in 2006 to encourage people to recycle more, said Barb Wilson, public information and marketing officer for the township. Money collected from recycling through this program benefits the development of the walk and bike paths, and routes in the township, she said.

The township trustees have designated funds generated from this program for the West Chester Connections Plan, which is an initiative to support development of bike/hike routes linking neighborhoods, parks and businesses, as well as encouraging a multi-modal lifestyle.

“We feel that is a great use of the monies. Essentially, we are paying back all the communities for their recycling performance. We look at a combination of what kind of tonnage is generated by the community, as well as how much are they recycling out of their total waste,” said Anne Fiehrer Flaig, Butler County’s solid waste district coordinator.

According to the plan, Wilson said recyclables are accepted through curbside recycling by private trash haulers and at recycling drop-off bins. Last year, West Chester recycled more than 2,260 tons of refuse, or 10.7 percent of total trash collected, she said.

“This translates into just more than $20,000 ($24,871) for development of bike/hike paths,” Wilson said.

In 2011, neighboring Liberty Twp. recycled 1,384 tons of refuse, or 11.2 percent of total trashed collected, said Fiehrer Flaig.

That tonnage or percentage translates into $12,459 in recycling incentives for the township, she said.

The township has earned $83,639 since the program began in 2006, Fiehrer Flaig said.

Recycling in West Chester Twp.

Three locations: Keehner Park, 7411 Barrett Road; Beckett Park, 8558 E. Beckett Road; and the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting, 8070 Tylersvile Road.

Items accepted for recycling include: newsprint, magazines, office paper, paperboard, corrugated cardboard, junk mail, glass, plastics No. 1 and No. 2, aluminum, and bi-metal cans.

Source: West Chester Twp.

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