Easton Considers Garbage Changes

The days of Easton residents putting small white trash bags out on the curbs could be coming to a close.

The city's public works and planning departments are recommending changes to Easton's garbage ordinance. 

One of those changes: residents who put their trash out in a bag -- as opposed to in a can -- will need to put it in a black bag that's at least 30 gallons.

If you're not using a black 30-gallon bag, you'd need to put your trash in a can, according to the ordinance changes.

The reason, Public Works Director Dave Hopkins told Tuesday, is to help the overall cleanliness of the city.

"We're looking for people to secure their garbage," Hopkins said. "People leave their garbage in grocery bags." 

Trash left that way can get loose, or attract animals. City Administrator Glenn Steckman noted that this will make garbage pick-up run more smoothly.

Hopkins said the ordinance would also allow residents to put their trash out an hour earlier, moving from 6 p.m. the night before pick-up to 5 p.m.

There's also a change to the city's , which now takes materials labeled with numbers 1-7. The previous rule omitted number 6 materials, which are anything made of polystyrene.