Trash talk: New recycling bins in Bristol unwelcomed upgrade for some

JD Mullane, Bucks County Courier Times
·2 min read
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Bristol Borough residents are getting new recycling bins this month from trash hauler J.P. Mascaro, but not everyone wants them.

While the new carts may be a welcome springtime upgrade to some, others in town aren't excited. Residents took to a social media page to gripe that Mascaro's carts are so big they can't fit them through narrow gates or stowe them in narrow alleys.

"So...can't leave cans in front of your house (not that I'd want to). New recycling bin won't fit on the side of my house. No access to rear of property. I'm certainly not taking it through my house. They need another option," writes a resident.

The hauler touted the red bins as a win for the borough.

"Your new cart will have two wheels for easy maneuvering and a lid to keep things tidy and dry," announced a flyer distributed to customers recently. "Your cart is going to make recycling easier and provide you more space to recycle more items -- a true win-win."

A pic of the new recycling carts to be distributed to J.P. Mascaro customers in Bristol Borough. It's shiny, portable and really big. Which is the problem for some residents who have narrow alleys and gates.
A pic of the new recycling carts to be distributed to J.P. Mascaro customers in Bristol Borough. It's shiny, portable and really big. Which is the problem for some residents who have narrow alleys and gates.

So you don't want the bin? You have options: use whatever recycling bucket you are already using. The borough council tried to get ahead of the issue.

According to Borough Manager Jim Dillion, responding to an email request on complaints, said, "Per the Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe’s previous statement at a televised public meeting, no one has to take a new recycling container, if they do not want the new recycling container. The resident can continue to use their existing recycling container."

Residents in Bristol Borough received flyers informing them of new recycling carts to be delivered all over town in May 2024.
Residents in Bristol Borough received flyers informing them of new recycling carts to be delivered all over town in May 2024.

"The goal of the new recycling containers," Dillon continued, "is to increase recycling. Residents should call 888-Mascaro ( 888-627-2276 ) if they do not want to receive the new recycling container."

A call to Mascaro to inquire about smaller recycling bin options was not immediately returned.

JD Mullane can be reached at 215-949-5745 or at jmullane@couriertimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: What to do if your recylcing bin is too big in Bristol