IRC to raise prices for dropoff services at local facilities

Recycling organization running low on funds; changes to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027

The organization that oversees a curbside recycling program for three central Blair County municipalities is raising prices at the beginning of 2027 at the two compost and recycling dropoff centers -- open to anyone -- that it operates in Buckhorn and Duncansville.

With only $40,000 in its operations account and $20,000 in its capital account, the Intermunicipal Relations Committee's cash on hand is running a little short, partly due to delays in receiving entitlement grants from the state Department of Environmental Protection, so the additional $20,000 to $30,000 per year generated by the price increases will be welcome, according to officials.

The new charges are scheduled to go into effect Jan. 1, 2027.

The DEP's annual Section 904 grants, based on the recycling tonnage produced by the local agency that represents Altoona, Logan Township and Hollidaysburg, have traditionally arrived in July or August, but last year's didn't come until January of this year, and this year's remains outstanding, according to IRC Executive Director Brock Bryan.

There's a caveat with the prediction about additional revenue: it's possible that the price increases will create incentives for people to dispose of recyclables illegally, so they don't have to pay, or to find other legal dropoff options, Bryan said.

Two of the changes proposed this week are designed to eliminate situations that have invited exploitation.

One of those changes is the addition of charges where there were none for disposal of electronics and appliances at the Buckhorn facility.

In recent times, some electronics patrons have been residents of Cambria County, due to that county charging for such dropoffs at its own facility, officials said.

There was some interest in limiting the new charges for dropping off electronics to non-IRC residents, but that proposal died due to the need for the additional income that IRC residents will provide when they drop off TVs and computers.

The other change that is designed to eliminate an exploitation loophole is a change of policy: a tightening of the "honor system" by which landscape companies each year assign themselves to one of several ascending "tiers" that represent how much vegetation they expect to deposit -- and thus, how much they end up paying for dropping off that vegetation.

The amount of brush and leaves they bring to the Buckhorn and Duncansville is generally impossible to track with full accuracy, because landscapers can buy passes that allow them to drop off vegetation when the facilities are unmanned.

It's clear to IRC management, however, based on "the eye test," that the first couple tiers -- the ones that generate the least in fees -- are overloaded with landscapers.

Management will talk with those who have been underestimating what they bring to ensure that going forward they're paying what they should.

Tier 1 allows for up to 50 loads of five cubic yards apiece. The charge for that tier will rise from $300 to $500.

Tier 2 allows for between 50 and 100 loads. The charge for that tier will rise from $600 to $1,000.

Tier 3 allows for between 101 and 150 loads. The charge will rise from $1,200 to $1,500.

Tier 4 allows for more than 150 loads. The charge will rise from $2,400 to $2,500.

The charges for electronics will go from $0 for peripherals like mice and keyboards to $20 for projection style TVs and copiers and large printers.

The organization charged for several classes of electronics last year, with most of those charges remaining unchanged.

The IRC will also begin charging a fee for items containing freon. The fee will be $25 for 1 to 25 items; $50 for 25-50 items; and $100 for 50 or more items.

The IRC can dispose of electronics at no cost, but there is a cost to handling them, Bryan said.

The IRC spends about $20,000 a month on salaries and insurance, Bryan said.

That works out to about $240,000 a year.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.