A dedicated group of senior citizens is doing more with less in Leechburg.
The volunteers at the Leechburg Recycling Center have experienced a 20% increase in recyclables compared with last year — and fewer helpers to collect, sort and process the trash.
“I was the only one here the other day,” said 15-year volunteer Jack Dykes, 73. “I had to run around like a chicken, and the trash just piles up.”
On April 17, five volunteers tended to a steady stream of cars pulling up to the large garage near the high school football field on Logan Avenue Extension.
Most of the nine volunteers are in their late 70s or older.
The center processes more than half a million pounds of recyclables annually.
Volunteer Nancy Bono, who is in her mid-80s, said she has noticed an increase in people jumping on the recycling lifestyle.
“People are becoming more aware and finding a way to get rid of stuff (recyclables),” Bono said.
Leechburg Mayor Tony Roppolo praised the group’s hard work, adding he hopes to get the message out to the community that more volunteers are needed.
Bono, a fixture at the center, had to sideline her volunteering for several months last winter because of health reasons.
“They are doing a lot with very little, and it’s great to see Nancy Bono return,” Roppolo said.
Bono is hopeful some new faces will join their recycling roundup of helpers.
“We average about 20 cars a day here, and it would be nice to get about 10 more volunteers,” she said.
About 10 volunteers show up from 8 to 11 a.m. Mondays through Fridays to handle the recycling operations.
“Fifteen years ago, we could manage with about three volunteers, but now we need about six to be comfy, and, ideally, I’d like to have nine volunteers,” Dykes said.
Jack Salvaterra of Allegheny Township counts on the Leechburg facility to keep his home trash reduced by a trash can a week.
Salvaterra likes to bring his empty wine bottles, plastic and newspapers and lauded the free amenity.
“These volunteers are the best. It’s physical work, too. We don’t have recycling in Allegheny Township and they may try and add it, but there will be a fee. So I come here,” Salvaterra said.
Jennifer Lizotte of Washington Township has used the Leechburg location to recycle cardboard, plastic and glass.
Lizotte said she is grateful to the volunteers for their diligence, particularly because her township does not offer recycling.
“I’m thankful they do it. It’s very important to me, and I’m trying to be good to the environment,” she said.
