Earlier this month, local solid waste company J. P. Mascaro & Sons’ trucks rolled through
Bridgeport on a Friday morning collecting recyclables placed at the curb by Bridgeport residents
for the first time ever!
This 2015 Single Stream Residential Recycling Collection Program underway in the
Borough was the result of the Borough’s recent Bid Solicitation. According to Borough
Manager, Don Curley, many residents were anxious to start a curbside recycling collection
program. Council was sensitive to the request and aware of the trends in solid waste
management. Accordingly, it was decided to include a curbside recycling option when we
solicited bids for a new waste collection contract late last year.
The Borough was pleasantly surprised when the bids were opened, since the low bid for
trash and recycling services from long-time Borough contractor, J. P. Mascaro & Sons, was actually less than Mascaro’s low bid for trash only. While, admittedly, the switch from two
times a week trash collection to one time a week will take a little getting used to, with the added
recycling services, once a week collection should be enough.
“Many residents had approached Council in the past about recycling. It just seemed that
the time was right, and once we saw Mascaro’s price and that we would be able to stay with
Mascaro, who we have had an excellent relationship with over the years, it was a no-brainer,”
said Council President JoAnn Gadzicki. “The recycling movement isn’t perfect yet, but the
kinks will get ironed out. I am sensitive to those who are resistant to change. There are some
folks who have had issues and Mascaro has been cooperative and accommodating,” Gadzicki
added.
So, for the next five years, and presumably thereafter, the Borough will be able to reduce
its amount of trash going into a landfill and at the same time recycling many household items
under its single stream recycling program. “It’s just our small part in helping the environment,”
said Gadzicki.