Recycling: How to help shape the future of recycling in Centre County

Recycling in Centre County continues to grow and evolve, and we’re committed to making our program as effective, accessible and convenient as possible for every resident. Whether you place your bin at the curb each week or haven’t recycled in years, your perspective matters — and we want to hear from you!

The Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority is launching a quick, two-question survey designed to gather honest, practical feedback about our community’s recycling habits, challenges and ideas. It takes less than a minute to complete, but the information you provide will help guide improvements that make a real difference.

Why your input matters

Recycling isn’t a one-size-fits-all effort. Households differ in the materials they use, the space they have, and the level of access they need. For some residents, recycling is already part of their routine — the bins are full each week, and the process is smooth. For others, recycling may feel confusing, inconvenient or simply out of reach. And still others may not be aware of everything our program offers, including drop-off options, special collection events, and an ever-expanding list of accepted materials.

By gathering input from a wide range of residents, we can identify what’s working, what’s not, and improvements that will benefit the greatest number of people. Maybe you’d like expanded recycling education, clearer guidelines, easier access to drop-off sites, or more information about what happens to materials after they leave your bin. Maybe you’re not recycling right now because of barriers we can help address. Whatever your experience, your voice helps shape the future of local recycling.

A small thank-you for your time

As a token of our appreciation, everyone who completes the survey will be entered into our monthly drawing to win a gift card from a local business. Each month, one email will be selected at random — meaning you’ll have a chance to win throughout 2026, even if you only take the survey once. It’s our way of saying thank you for taking a moment to help us improve a program that benefits the entire community.

How to participate

Taking the survey is simple. Just scan the QR code on our newsletters and social media posts or click the link at www.centrecountyrecycles.org. You’ll answer two short questions and, if you choose, provide your email for the drawing. That’s it.

Your feedback, no matter how brief, will help guide decisions on everything from outreach and education to equipment, collection routes and future programming. Results from this survey will directly influence our planning for 2026 and beyond.

Your voice can make a difference

Recycling is a community effort, and small actions add up. By sharing your insight, whether it reflects years of recycling experience or none at all, you’re helping us build a stronger, more efficient program that supports local sustainability and keeps valuable materials out of the landfill.

Please take a moment to share your thoughts. We appreciate your time and look forward to hearing from you!

Amy Schirf is education coordinator for the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority. Contact her at aschirf@centrecountyrecycles.org.