ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Allentown residents are facing a significant increase in their trash-collection fees in the new year.
But plans for an expanded rebate program could offer help to more than a thousand households in the city.
Council in October approved a five-year, $90 million contract with J.P. Mascaro & Sons, which will take over as the city’s trash hauler in June.
A proposed expansion would make rebates available to about 1,000 people.Allentown Public Works director Mark Shahda
That contract will cost the city millions more than its previous deal with Waste Management.
Allentown residents pay a flat fee for trash-collection services; each paid $415 this year after a $40 increase was approved as part of the city’s 2024 budget.
The trash fee is set to climb to $605 in 2025 — and Mayor Matt Tuerk has warned it could hit $740 in 2026.
That would represent a 78% increase in just two years.
Expanded rebates
Allentown offers full rebates for residents 65 and older who own and occupy their homes and make less than $15,000 a year.
Those criteria meant fewer than 50 people qualified, Public Works Director Mark Shahda has said.
But Shahda is asking Allentown City Council to expand the rebate program to reach about 1,000 people — 20 times more than before.
The proposed expansion offers tiered rebates, with seniors who own and live in their home eligible for 75% rebates if they make $15,000 or less a year.
Senior homeowners who make up to $20,000 could get a 50% rebate, while the city is offering 25% rebates to those making less than $25,000 and 10% rebates to those making less than $30,000.
City officials are proposing to halve the 10% penalty for trash-collection fees that are not paid by July 15, Shahda said.
That reduction to 5% would last through 2026.
