Charleroi’s new sanitation service in place

Council voted to contract with Pro Waste last month.

New garbage service started in Charleroi this week.

In February, council opened bids to select a new refuse provider and ultimately decided to go with Pro Waste LLC, replacing Big’s Sanitation, also known as Earthwise Environmental, which had been operating under an option year.

Big’s was among three operators who submitted bids, and Pro Waste came in as the low bidder.

Garbage service will cost borough residents about $218 annually over the contract.

That breaks down to about $18 per month, per unit in the first year, $18.15 the second year and $18.25 for the third year.

If council moves forward with two option years, it will cost $18.25 per month in year four and $18.50 per month in the final year.

A new pick-up schedule was posted on the borough’s social media ahead of the official change, which will start today, but there are still some questions with billing.

Garbage bills in Charleroi will continue to be handled by an outside collection firm, Keystone Collections.

Options will continue to be offered to pay in full or submit quarterly payments.

Because the new contract is less expensive than what Big’s was charging, some residents who have already paid their bills in full or for the first quarter are wondering how they will be reimbursed.

Borough Manager Joe Manning said the borough is working to determine how that will be handled.

“Residents will be taken care of, we just haven’t worked out if that will be in the form of a refund or as a credit to their bills,” council President Kristin Hopkins-Calcek said.

Either way, the new deal will save residents about $50 per year.

Pick-up days have not changed

Residents along McKean, Fallowfield and a portion of Lincoln and Washington avenues will have Wednesday pickup.

Prospect Avenue and other homes above it from 5th through 13th Streets will have a Thursday pick up.

Maple Avenue to Fifth Street, including streets above Lincoln in that area will have a Friday pick-up.

A full map of the pick-up schedule can be found on the Charleroi Borough Facebook page or at prowastellc.com under the Charleroi tab.

According to Pro Waste, there will be adjustments for holidays which will delay trash collection by one day including New Year’s Day, Christmas Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

Additionally, Manning said ahead of the change there was a miscommunication with the previous hauler regarding commercial pickup.

Businesses are not currently required to purchase their dumpsters from the borough’s chosen refuse provider.

Instead, commercial pick-up is handled independently so businesses can choose the most affordable option for their operation.

Some businesses in the borough have chosen Big’s for that option.

Ahead of the switch to Pro Waste, Big’s had started to remove dumpsters from some commercial businesses in the borough.

On Wednesday, the borough posted a disclaimer on social media to address the matter.

“Our previous garbage hauler has misunderstood the transition and has been removing dumpsters from commercial properties,” Manning said. “Charleroi Borough has contracted with Pro Waste exclusively for residential pick-up. As such, the current removal of commercial dumpsters was not part of our agreement, and we are working to rectify this situation promptly.

“We appreciate your patience and understanding during this transition period.”

Questions or concerns regarding commercial pick-up can be directed to the borough by calling 724-483-6011 or emailing bcso@charleroiboro.org.

Additional information on Pro Waste LLC and its service to the borough can be found online at prowastellc.com or by calling 724-433-3440.