Garbage and Recycling

Garbage & Recycling Collection Information
Bangor Borough Recycling 2024 Calendar/Mailer
Household Hazardous Waste Events 
Electronics Recycling Collection Events
Mobile Paper Shredding Events
County Recycling Info
PA Recycling Info
Ordinance #834 – Collection Standards for Municipal Waste

What is recycling?
Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. Recycling can benefit your community, the economy and the environment.

Is recycling truly beneficial for the environment?
EPA data show that recycling conserves energy and natural resources. For example:

  • Recycling one ton of office paper can save the energy equivalent of consuming 322 gallons of gasoline.
  • Recycling just one ton of aluminum cans conserves more than 152 million Btu, the equivalent of 1,024 gallons of gasoline or 21 barrels of oil consumed.
  • Plastic bottles are the most recycled plastic product in the United States as of 2015, according to EPA data. Recycling just 10 plastic bottles saves enough energy to power a laptop for more than 25 hours.

How do I know what my local recycling options are?
Please click the link for additional information on what and when to recycle in the Borough: Bangor Borough Recycling 2024 Calendar/Mailer

Why is it important to only put items that can be recycled in the recycling bin?
Putting items in the recycling bin that can’t be recycled can contaminate the recycling stream. After these un-recyclable items arrive at recycling centers, they can cause costly damage to the equipment. Additionally, after arriving at recycling centers, they must be sorted out and then sent to landfills, which raises costs for the facility.

What should I never put in my recycling bin(s)?

  • Garden hoses
  • Sewing needles
  • Bowling balls
  • Food or food-soiled paper
  • Propane tanks or cylinders
  • Aerosol cans that aren’t empty
  • The County and Borough offer several recycling options for electronics and household hazardous waste.
  • Syringes, broken glass, and broken light bulbs should not go in the recycling.

What are the most common items that I can put into my curbside recycling bin?

  1. Cardboard
  2. Paper
  3. Food boxes
  4. Mail
  5. Beverage cans
  6. Food cans
  7. Glass bottles
  8. Jars (glass and plastic)
  9. Jugs
  10. Plastic bottles and caps