Automated collection of refuse and recycling is expected to be in effect for the majority of residences in Salisbury Township.

Collections by the township’s new hauler, Whitetail Disposal, were scheduled to begin Jan. 2.

The township administration has announced the refuse and recycling collection schedule.

In a separate email and township website posting, the Salisbury Township Department of Public Works announced the curbside Christmas tree collection schedule is Tuesdays during January.

“To ensure proper pickup, please place your trees at the curb free of ornaments, lights, tinsel, etcetera, prior to your desired Tuesday collection day. Trees do not have to be cut in half. If you have any questions, please call 610-797-4000, ext. 5850,” states the Dec. 23, 2023, township email and website posting.

Concerning refuse and recycling collection, “Whitetail Disposal has evaluated the township and determined that the majority of it can be collected by automated means,” states a Dec. 27, 2023 email from the Salisbury Township administration and posted on the township website.

“Those to be collected by automated means will be collected on Mondays; those residences that cannot be collected by automated means, will be collected on Tuesdays,” states the email and township website posting.

“To see whether you have a Monday collection day (shown as the yellow-shaded areas) or a Tuesday collection day (the blue-shaded areas), please use the following link to access the interactive map to search your address: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1k-DQRgrAbcOO6EZtAiCbd03lvneN_mw&;ll=40.57352743415403%2C-75.4622875&z=13.

“Simply click on the magnifying glass at the upper left of the screen to type in and search for your address,” the township states.

Because of the Jan. 1 holiday, Monday’s collections were to have been made Tuesday Jan. 2 and Tuesday’s collections were to be made Wednesday Jan. 3, according to the township email and website.

The township administration statement continues:

“Whitetail Disposal has been delivering the 95-gallon trash carts and 65-gallon recycling carts this week [Dec. 24, 2023, week].

“Those to be serviced by automated means should expect to have both carts delivered by the end of this week [Dec. 24, 2023, week].

“All remaining township residents should have their equipment by the end of next week (Friday, Jan. 5).

“We ask that all residents try utilizing the 95-gallon containers for a few months during our initial transition period before making any special requests for a smaller bin.

“All parties - the residents, the township and Whitetail Disposal - have a transition period to work through before any such special requests can be entertained.

“If you do not receive either your 95-gallon trash cart and/or your 65-gallon recycling cart by your assigned collection day next week [Dec. 31, 2023, week], you may continue to use the garbage and-or recycling cans you currently use until you receive the official township equipment.

“Once you receive the township’s official equipment, however, you may no longer use your old cans.

“We recommend you hold onto your old cans to see if you might find another personal use for them, but if you decide you would like to dispose of them, please be sure they are empty, put a large, visible “X” on the container and place it curbside upside down, so that Whitetail can collect and dispose of it for you.

“Bulk items such as white goods and furniture will be limited to one item per week, to be scheduled for collection. You must schedule such collections directly with Whitetail by noon on Friday for collection on your next service day (Monday or Tuesday) the following week. Whitetail Disposal can be reached at 610-936-9967 or by email at Salisbury@whitetaildisposal.com to schedule.

“Boxes should be broken down and bundled with twine or tape and put curbside alongside your recycling bin. Boxes that are not broken down are not recyclable. Pizza boxes are not recyclable.

“We are currently finalizing a Web page with all pertinent information along with Whitetail Disposal contact information, and we plan to have it uploaded and accessible by Friday [Dec. 29, 2023].

“We appreciate your patience and cooperation as Salisbury Township transitions to a new collection method with our new hauler, Whitetail Disposal, set to begin collections Jan. 2, 2024. Feel free to call us at 610-797-4000 or email us at info@salisburylehighpa.gov with any questions,” states the township email and website.

Salisbury Township commissioners voted unanimously 5-0 at the Dec. 14, 2023, township meeting to approve a three-year, $6,061,719 contract commencing Jan. 1, with an option for a two-year extension, with Whitetail Disposal, Perkiomenville, Montgomery Township, for municipal solid waste and recycling.

Commissioners voted 5-0, also at the Dec. 14, 2023, township meeting, to approve the refuse and recycling fund fee to increase from $93 per quarter in 2023 to $108 per quarter, or $432 for the year, in 2024.

Trash pickup is now once per week. Trash pickup was previously twice per week. Recycling continues at once per week.

Electronic and household hazardous curbside pickup has been eliminated.

Republic Services’ trash-hauling contract with Salisbury Township concluded Dec. 31, 2023.

The Salisbury Township meeting schedule in the municipal building, 2900 S. Pike Avenue, includes: 7 p.m. Jan. 3, planning commission; 7 p.m. Jan. 10, zoning hearing board and 7 p.m. Jan. 11, board of commissioners.