Everything you need to know about trash hauler changes coming to some Centre County townships
In April, the Centre Region Council of Governments will transition to a new weekly refuse collection provider, but before that, residents affected by the change have a Sept. 30 deadline to make a decision about the new service.
Burgmeier’s Hauling, Inc. is the new waste management company that will replace Waste Management. Instead of bag limits that current Waste Management customers are used to, Burgmeier’s uses carts. And residents must choose a cart by the end of September to allow time for it to be delivered in March.
Here’s all the information you need to know about the new hauler and the upcoming deadline.
Who will this affect?
COG’s new five-year deal with Burgmeier’s will only affect residents in five municipalities in Centre County: Benner, Harris, Patton, College and Ferguson townships. It covers homes with weekly curbside trash and recycling collection, not those with dumpster service.
What are the cart choices?
Three different sizes of carts are available for residents to choose from: 35-, 65- and 95-gallon carts. The smallest size holds about two kitchen size bags, the 65 gallon holds four kitchen size bags and the 95 gallon cart holds seven kitchen size bags, according to Burgmeier’s website.
For those who are unsure about what cart size they might want, COG has provided residents with an opportunity to visit one of seven locations to see the carts in person for reference:
- Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority
- Benner Township Municipal Building
- College Township Municipal Building
- Ferguson Township Municipal Building
- Harris Township Municipal Building
- Patton Township Municipal Building
- Centre Region Council of Governments Building
COG recommends residents to pick a cart size based on their most trash-filled week, its website says.
“You should choose the size that will hold all of your refuse on your ‘trashiest’ weeks,” the site reads. “The largest size will accommodate most families, the mid-size will work for many two-person households, and the smallest size is a good choice for one-person homes.”
Residents can choose their carts by visiting www.burgmeiers.com/cogcarts.
What is the cost?
Each size cart slightly varies in price. The three sizes are 35-, 65- and 95-gallon carts, with the costs for each cart being $28.01, $29.83 and $31.09 per month, respectively. Any resident that does not choose a cart plan by Sept. 30 will received the 95-gallon cart size plan by default.
Currently, rates with Waste Management are sitting at $23.38 a month for a maximum of eight bags per week or $19.38 for one bag per week.
What other services are included?
In addition to the new carts, Burgmeier’s will also provide unlimited curbside recycling with each cart plan, a yearly Christmas tree pickup and two bulk pickups per year that are on-demand.
Extra carts can also be purchased at any time throughout the month.
An extra 95-gallon cart will cost $19.24 per month, an extra 65-gallon cart will cost $17.98 per month and an extra 35-gallon cart will cost $16.16 per month.
If a cart is being being gathered for pickup and it’s overflowing with refuse, the resident will be charged $4 per incident. It will also cost $4 extra for any extra trash bags or items sitting next to the cart, per pickup.
If a cart is damaged or is lost, replacements and exchanges are offered for $50 and $30, respectively.
What about recycling?
The Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority will continue to collect curbside recycling in the red bins.
What can you do with your old trash cans?
Once the new contract begins, residents will have an opportunity to have their old trash cans collected for recycling.