The Lower Towamensing Township supervisors discussed the future of recycling in their municipality at the meeting Tuesday night.

The issue came up after the contract expired with Municipal Recovery Solutions in Wilkes-Barre to collect recyclable items from the center behind the municipal building. With no contract, that center closed on May 3.Municipal Recovery said it didn't want to renew the contract, because Lower Towamensing Township was its last customer in this area and it wasn't feasible to travel that far for one customer.Brent Green, the chairman of the supervisors, said the township has reached out to other recycling collection companies, but only two provided quotes on costs.Berger Sanitation in East Allen Township said it would collect recyclable items twice a week for $21,000 a year, but wants a three-year commitment. County Waste and Recycling in Stroudsburg, which handles the township's garbage collection, said it would provide curbside recycling collection for $24,000 year.With Municipal Recovery, the township had been paying $4,380 a year to have the recycling hauled away from its recycling collection center behind the municipal building.Supervisor Ron Walbert said the curbside recycling was too costly and would use too much of the garbage fund. Even with the cheaper of the two companies, it would cost the township $63,000 in three years."Only Palmerton, Lehighton and Jim Thorpe have to recycle. Everyone else is exempt," Walbert said.He recommended that the township cease offering any recycling at all. Residents who want to recycle can take paper and cardboard to St. John's Church on Fireline Road and aluminum cans to the Aquashicola Fire Co. on Little Gap Road. Walbert said he thinks those two places should meet the needs of most residents.If the residents voice an objection to no recycling, then they can look at it again, he said."I'm not against recycling," Walbert said. "If we no longer have recycling, then maybe they'll want to pay a little more to have it."The recycling center has been a problem for the township. Nonresidents have been dropping off items there. Green said people think the township gets money for the recyclable items, but it doesn't.He said he has also seen items the township doesn't take, such as an oil filter, left at the center."They've thrown in garbage," Walbert said. "It becomes a big nuisance with very little gain."Green summed up the issue by saying, "If people feel strongly about it, then we'll revisit it."In other business, the supervisors agreed to advertise for bids some chip and seal work on four township roads. The roads include 12,542 square yards of Club Road, 12,061 square yards of Boyer Road, 5,878 square yards of Spring Road and 5,657 square yards of Oak Road. Green suggested to add Maple Road and Drift Road to the list, which was approved by Walbert and Supervisor Jesse Mendez.