Frequently Asked
Questions
About Potts and Monger
in Pine Grove, PA and Surrounding Areas
Serving Schuylkill County,
Columbia County, Lebanon County, and Berks County, PA
Answers to Common Questions About Our Waste Management Services
At Potts and Monger Sanitation, Inc., we understand that you may have questions about our waste management, recycling, and sanitation services in Pine Grove, PA. If you’re curious about scheduling, accepted materials, or pricing, we’re here to help. Explore our FAQs below for quick answers, and if you need further assistance, feel free to contact us online or call us at (570) 345-6201. We providing reliable and efficient service for all your waste management needs.
1) I just moved in. How do I go about activating service?
Just call our office. We can set up your account immediately. If garbage collection day is the next day, you can put out your garbage that morning.
2) Can I put my household appliances for pickup?
Certain items we take and do not take are listed on the page for those we do not take. If you don’t see it on either page, call our office.
3) What are your rates for residential pick up?
Rates vary according to location and the amount of trash you put out weekly. We have rates for up to 3, 4, and 5 bags. Rates are different for the Pine Grove area and its surrounding communities.
4) Why are Pine Grove rates different from those of surrounding communities?
We are all aware of the ever-rising gas prices. As the gas prices rise, so does the cost of living since the cost of transportation of goods and services causes the prices of those goods and services to increase. Additionally, as the cost of living increases, employees require more money to meet that cost of living increase. With the additional fuel and labor cost that it takes to service the areas outside Pine Grove, the rates for those areas must be higher.
5) What is the largest bag or container I can put out?
32 gallon. Anything over 32 gallons will require extra bags, which will be charged at $2.50 each.
6) How do I dispose of roof shingles, construction debris, and related materials?
These items are separate from your regular trash pickup. However, we do have dumpsters and roll-offs for this purpose.
7) What about paint cans?
We pick up cleaned and emptied paint cans with lids removed, at most 5 gallons. If your cans are nearly empty and contain water-based or latex paint, throw some clumping cat litter in them to absorb the leftover paint. Then, throw out the paint-soaked clumps and leave the can out with the lid off.
8) What about residential electronic equipment?
You may include that in your bag or can with regular garbage. If it is too big to fit in a bag or can, it may be put out separately, but there will be an extra charge for it. Call our office to let us know you are putting out something extra so the crew can handle it during pickup.
9) Can I have my Christmas tree picked up after Christmas?
We pick up Christmas trees but for an additional fee based on the tree size. Call our office for the rate.
10) What if I have signed up for a specific bag rate and want to leave extra bags or items?
Call our office to inform us that you will be putting out extra bags or items. Extra bags are $2.50 each. Other items may be put out. If you don’t see them on our additional items list on the rate page for your area, check to see the items we do not pick up. We won’t pick it up if it is on that list, but you may put it out for the annual spring pickup.
11) If I call to begin service, how soon will they be picking up my garbage?
Each area has a specific pickup day. If you call before that day, we will pick up your garbage that same week on your area’s pickup day. If you call after that day, we will pick up your garbage on that day the following week.
12) How early must I have my garbage out at the curb for pick up?
As long as it is there by 5:00 a.m. on your pickup day, we will pick up your garbage.
13) What do I do if I am moving or canceling service?
Call to let us know the last date you want your garbage picked up so you will only be charged on that date. If you are moving to another location within our service area, let us know the address and the date you want to resume pickup. When people move in or out of a home, they often have excessive trash. If that amount of trash puts you above your maximum bag rate, let us know how many extra bags you have so our workers stay on them. Our receptionist will let you know how much extra the charge is and let the driver know how many extra bags they will pick up. You can pay the additional charge when you pay your next bill. Just add it to the amount in your coupon book.
14) Why did you miss my trash today?
1.) Your trash was out after 5:00 a.m. on the pickup day.
2.) A national holiday prevented pickup due to the closing of the local landfill
3.) Due to inclement weather, we were unable to service your road today
4.)Your quarterly bill is past due, and service has been temporarily stopped.
Please call our office when this occurs so we may respond with the correct explanation.
15) How often are my private residential pickups?
Most privately serviced homes have one pickup per week.
16) Do you accept credit cards?
We accept major credit cards, including Master Card, Visa, and Discover.
17) Which holidays do you observe?
Private collection homes can view our holiday schedule online or in your coupon book
18) Why is there a charge for large bulk items or extra amounts of trash?
Items such as furniture, appliances, rugs, etc., aren’t normal household trash volume; therefore, an extra charge will accrue. We will also take extra residential trash at a minor additional cost to cover the weight of the additional trash.
19) Why can’t you take certain items?
Certain items are banned from our local landfill. These include paint, motor oil, leaves, grass, tires, stumps, dirt, rocks, concrete, and all types of hazardous waste.
20) What happens if there is no pickup on my commercial container?
1.) Your container was blocked by a car or other item, and you will have to call for a re-scheduled pickup when it is clear.
2.) You have items in your trash container that aren’t permitted and must be evacuated before a pickup can be made.
3.) Your monthly bill is past due, and service has been temporarily stopped. Please call our office at (570) 345-6201.
4.) Trash may be mixed with your recycling or recycled with trash, and a contaminated load may be visible.
Please call our office at (570) 345-6201.
21) If I still need to put out my trash by 5:00 a.m. on the day of pickup, can you come back another day and pick it up?
Depending on your location, we can come back many times. A double pickup will likely occur the next pickup if you have a weekly pickup. Please make sure that all trash is put out the night before to ensure that your pickup will be made.
Please call our office at (570) 345-6201 for arrangements.
22) Will you pick up old appliances?
We will pick up old appliances and other bulk items at an additional cost.
*Does not include Freon-based items, air conditioners, refrigerators, dehumidifiers, and freezers.
Call our office at (570) 345-6201 to arrange this service.
23) My trash can is dirty, broken, or cracked. Can I receive a new one?
Potts & Monger Sanitation furnished trash cans are very expensive. Each home has one can for their personal trash services. The homeowner is responsible for maintaining the can and keeping it clean and functioning. If you have a cracked or broken can due to unexplainable occurrences, Potts & Monger will do everything possible to repair or replace the can. Sometimes, you may be on a list if your particular type of can is unavailable. Please remember that POTTS & MONGER SANITATION OWNS THESE CANS, AND YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DEFACEMENT OR LOSS OF CAN.
