Walnutport Borough Council attempted to address concerns about trash collection on Thursday.

The borough posted on its Facebook page Thursday afternoon that its office was informed that the letters to borough residents about their 2025-2028 garbage service would be going out in the mail on Thursday.

Casella Waste Systems is still in the process of delivering the new totes, as apparently there was a delay in the containers from the manufacturer.

Casella plans to provide all residents a 96 gallon waste container, and will continue serving trash as normal until all containers are delivered.

Anyone with issues with their service or with their totes should reach out via email to Walnutportborough@casella.com, or call 610-245-5639.

There isn’t a recycling/garbage schedule since residents put their garbage and recyclables out every Sunday night for Monday morning pickup.

Council President Michael Gaston noted that it will be unlimited trash, but that it just needs to be in a container.

Gaston said anyone that needs an additional container for trash may call Casella’s office or purchase one at either Home Depot or Lowe’s.

“It must be in a can or they will not pick it up,” Gaston said. “It has to be in a toter.”

Gaston added one bulk item is allowed per resident per month, as long as they call Casella ahead of time.

In October, borough council awarded a four-year contract to Casella in the amount of $1,361,771 from 2025 to 2028.

The contract means residents will pay between $150 to $160 more per year in their garbage rates.

The contract will have both garbage and recycling each week of the year over the course of the four-year contract.

Casella’s bid was $624,253 less than the $1,986,024 proposal from J.P. Mascaro and Sons.

In September, council agreed to reject the bids it received from the same two companies for garbage collection. Council then re-advertised for bids.

At that time, Casella turned in the apparent low bid of $1,361,770.

However, borough solicitor Michael Corriere noted at that time that Casella’s proposal was defective because it only included the monthly amount per year and not the yearly total, which was required.

In June, Mayor Wayne Weidner told borough council he had been getting some concerns about items not eligible for collection.

Councilwoman Jen Wentz said at that time that may very well be the case due to the cost, and added the borough doesn’t want it to be exorbitant for residents.

Gaston noted that in other municipalities, prices are jumping.

Council previously awarded a four-year contract to County Waste for $695,640 from 2021-24.

Wentz said that the bid quotes were a combination of collection and transporting, yearly landfill solid waste disposal cost, and recyclables.