Recycling/Compost of Emmaus PA
Commercial Recycling
Refuse and Recycling Information
Refuse and Recycling Information (PDF)
Recycling
Single Stream Recycling—The Borough adopted an expanded list of recyclables that will no longer need to be separated. The following list includes many types of items that were not previously recycled. In addition, you will no longer need to use Borough issued recyclng containers. You can simply use a regular garbage can and place all recyclable items into the same can. Use a marker or other labeling method to identify the container as holding recyclables. All of the recyclables are commingled, so that you do not need to separate the items.
- Aluminum food and beverage containers
- Glass food and beverage containers—brown, clear, or green
- Ferrous (Iron) cans
- PET plastic containers with the symbol #1—with screw tops only, without caps
- HDPE natural plastic containers with the symbol #2—narrow neck containers only (milk and water bottles)
- HDPE pigmented plastic containers with the symbol #2—narrow neck containers only, without caps (detergent, shampoo bottles, etc.)
- Plastics with symbols #3, #4, #5, #6, #7—narrow and screw top containers
- Newsprint
- Corrugated cardboard
- Magazines
- Catalogues
- Cereal boxes
- Telephone books
- Printer paper
- Copier paper
- All other office paper without wax liners
Hazardous materials can be properly disposed of at one of Lehigh County’s household hazardous waste collection events during the year. Contact Lehigh County LCA Wastewater Pretreatment Plant at 610-799-4177 ext. 229 to schedule your appointment.
Composting/Alternative Yard Management Practices
The Borough is very pleased to have the resources of the Emmaus Compost Center, located on Klines Lane to serve the public for its yard waste as well as using compost and wood mulch in their yards. The Borough, starting on March 14 until December 9, 2012, permits residents to bring their yard clippings, branches, and small shrubs to be deposited at the compost center, as well as allowing residents to take home screened compost and wood mulch.
2012 Compost Site Hours
| Closed on Holidays | Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and November 23, 2012 |
| March 14th to May 5th | Wednesdays 7:30 am to 7:30 pm or dusk Saturdays 8:00 am to 4:00 pm |
| May 7th to Sept 24th | Mondays 7:30 am to 2:30 pm Wednesdays 7:30 am to 7:30 pm or dusk Saturdays 8:00 am to 4:00 pm |
| Sept. 26th to Oct 13th | Wednesdays 7:30 am to 7:30 pm or dusk Saturdays 8:00 am to 4:00 pm |
| Oct 15th to Dec 9th | (Leaf Collection) Mon., Tues., Thurs., & Fri. 7:30 am to 2:00 pm Wednesdays 7:30 am to 7:30 pm or dusk Saturdays 8:00 am to 4:00 pm |
We only accept organic yard waste. No lumber, root balls with dirt, garbage, dirt, building materials, etc., is allowed. If you observe any violations, please obtain the offerender's license plate number and report the incidient to the Public Works Department at 610-965-9288 (24/7). Your report will remain anonymous. When wood chip mulch and/or compost is available, Public Works personnel will load trucks and trailers on Wednesdays after 3:00 p.m. and on Saturdays.
Unscreened compost & wood chip is available for a loading fee of $10.00 per scoop or partial scoop. Only pick ups or small trailers will be loaded. SCREENED COMPOST IS FOR BOROUGH RESIDENTS ONLY AND IS AVAILABLE FOR A LOADING FEE OF $15 PER FULL OR PARTIAL SCOOP. Please call the Public Works Department at 610-965-9288, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with any questions or comments.
Emmaus Borough Council is very interested in having the community become better stewards of the land and would like to educate the public about alternative yard management practices that enhance the protection of water resources and environment habitats, how best to use the compost centers, and remind everyone of the Borough's recycling policy. The Joint Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) of the Borough of Emmaus and Upper Milford Township has undertaken a community education project to provide local homeowners with some simple actions that will go a long way in helping the environment.
The first and easiest step that you can take is by modifying your lawn care. Review how you maintain your yard by cutting only 1/2 of your grass blade's length. In this way, your grass will grow more slowly and require less mowing. This will also slow storm water runoff, minimize erosion, and filter out particulates and contaminants associated with storm water. The second step you make to help the environment is to plant trees. Trees reduce energy bills by shading your home and also help to minimize erosion. Tree roots also help storm water enter the ground and recharge the underground water sources. Another step you can take is to protect backyard streams. Allow for a wide planted strip alongside your stream. This buffer will help reduce erosion, slow runoff and create a healthy habitat around the stream. The use of rain barrels is another method of helping the environment. The rain barrel can be used as free, pure water which your garden will love and will also reduce storm water runoff. Perhaps you can create a rain garden which will soak up and filter the water from your downspouts. A rain garden is built by digging an area 3-4 inches deep and about 20-30% of the surface of your roof. This area can be planted with native plants which can tolerate periods of wet soil. Please try any or all of the above mentioned thoughts to help you do your part in the greening of America.
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