Carlisle studies bringing trash and recycling collection in‑house as contractor costs surge

Borough staff and a citizen subcommittee presented a detailed study on July 2 that evaluated bringing residential trash and recycling collection in‑house to address rising hauling costs and limited competition in the private hauler market.

The presentation traced the program’s history: a pay‑as‑you‑throw system of bags had reduced landfill tonnage but market changes — including recycling processor costs and a shift by haulers to automated trucks — led the borough to adopt a hybrid, flat‑fee program in 2023. Presenters said the 2023 contract runs through 2027 and that the borough received only one responsive bidder when it last sought proposals.

Richard (presentation lead) told council that labor is the single largest cost driver in current hauling contracts — more than 50 percent of the projected first‑year cost in the borough’s model — while per‑weight tipping fees account for roughly 10–13 percent of total year‑one costs. To operate collection directly, the study estimated the borough would hire about 12 positions (drivers and loaders plus an operations manager), purchase about five rear‑loading trucks (with a conservative vehicle lead time of about 18 months), and distribute roughly 12,000 35‑gallon containers to households. The study modeled two financing options: a bond‑funded capital plan of roughly $2.4 million for vehicles and facilities plus $1.1 million in front‑loaded operating support (structured for a five‑year payback), or an internally funded $3.5 million capital loan spread over 20 years at an assumed 5 percent rate. Under the internal‑funding scenario the analysis projected net savings beginning in year two; under the bond scenario the program would show savings after debt service retired.

Presenters said municipalization could improve borough customer service (faster response to complaints and greater operational control) and allow program design choices such as tiered container sizes, composting pilots and future regional partnerships. Staff recommended continuing community outreach — surveys, public meetings and a planned door‑to‑door identification of containers downtown this fall — and pursuing grant funding for possible vehicle or recycling‑processing investments.

Council members thanked the subcommittee and staff for research and signaled interest in continuing the work. No formal vote to municipalize was taken at the workshop; council asked staff to proceed with public engagement and to return with refined cost estimates and a recommended funding approach before any final decision.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Approve minutes of the June 4, 2025 workshop meeting. Moved by: Deputy Mayor; Seconded by: Councilor Stuve. The motion was carried by voice vote (aye); individual roll‑call votes were not recorded in the transcript.