Residential Recycling

In Warwick Township, each person who owns or occupies a residential dwelling or multi-family dwelling is required to recycle.  Residents may either arrange for collection of these materials by a permitted hauler, or take them to a Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority facility.

The Recycling Myth

A common misconception people have about recycling is they think it means placing items in their recycling bin—often, as much as possible. However, recycling is actually a system of collecting and processing used materials that still have value, in order to transform them into new products. This means not everything is recyclable. And just because a product has a recycling symbol on the bottom does not mean it’s recyclable. So, why is it important to debunk the recycling myth? Though most of us are well-intentioned, when we put materials in the bin that don’t belong, we’re actually contaminating the recycling stream, which negatively impacts our environment and economy. We need your help to recycle right!

What Can Be Recycled?

Only the following materials can be recycled. Think of them as the “Big 4”. Everything else should be placed in your trash. If you aren’t sure, remember this phrase: “When in doubt, throw it out!” Lancaster County has an advanced waste-to-energy process that converts these materials into renewable energy!

CORRUGATED CARDBOARD:
This includes any size material consisting of a fluted corrugated sheet, like shipping and packing boxes. Flatten all boxes and remove packaging including Styrofoam, peanuts, bubble wrap and plastic liners. Do NOT put paperboard (cereal boxes, shoe boxes), newsprint or junk mail in the bin.

PLASTIC BOTTLES AND JUGS:
This includes plastic bottles, jars, jugs and anything else with a neck. Throw away the lids and rinse out any residue. All other plastic material is considered trash. Ignore the numbers, as they don’t indicate if something is recyclable. Do NOT put plastic bags, toys, buckets, packaging, Styrofoam, hosing, furniture, or other plastic items in the bin.

METAL FOOD AND BEVERAGE CANS:
This includes all food and beverage cans made from aluminum or steel. Throw away the lids and rinse out any residue. Do NOT put metal hangers, cooking pots and pans or other scrap metal like foil and pie plates in the bin.

GLASS:
This includes clear, green and brown glass bottles and jars. Throw away the lids and rinse out any residue. Do NOT put light bulbs, dishes, glassware, window or automotive glass, vases or any other glass material in the bin.

YARD WASTE:
Leaf & Yard waste is designated as a recyclable material by DEP.  Therefore, this material may not be burned.  Your hauler will collect this material (contact your hauler for information on preparing this material for collection), or you may take it to Warwick Township’s Leaf & Woody Yard Waste Drop-off Site.

Please make sure your trash and recyclables are secured on windy days; plastics and trash blowing around pollutes our land and our streams.  If possible, wait until your next scheduled collection day to place recyclables at the curb on windy days.

Styrofoam:   Dart Container will accept styrofoam. For more information about Dart Container's recycling program, please visit their website: https://www.dartcontainer.com/environment/ps-foam-recycling/

Agricultural Plastics Recycling:  Ag Plastic Solutions will recycle bale wrap, greenhouse covers & plastics, silo stop film, woven plastic feed bags, PVC and more (material must be fairly dry and clean). please visit their website for more information, and for a complete list of materials they accept:  http://www.agplasticsolutions.com/

Other materials:  The website http://earth911.com/ provides a comprehensive search of what materials can be recycled and where.  Simply enter the material you want to recycle and your zip code, and they will provide a listing of available recycling centers.

We have a supply of battery bags on-hand if needed...simply ask!

We also have large brown yard waste bags available
at the Municipal Building.  The cost for each bag is 50¢.