Whitehall Township residents are now seeing a change in their refuse collector.

The green logo Waste Management trucks have begun picking up residential refuse from neighborhoods across the township. The township's previous hauler, J.P. Mascaro, had served as collector for five years.

Waste Management, which was awarded a five-year contract last month, began picking up garbage last Friday.

Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. said initial reports indicate the changeover was smooth and the transition, for the most part, went off without a hitch.

The township is also seeing a savings with the new contract due to trash disposed at the landfill. The township in 2014 spent more than $1 million dollars for the use of the landfill. The new contract with Waste Management is one half of the previous landfill contract. A $2.5 million savings is expected over the next five years.

Mascaro is still in the picture. The company will receive recycled materials from the township. For the first time in many years, the township will be paid for such materials. The amount is said to be $143,000.

The township will also convert to a toter/cart system for pick up of garbage by Waste Management. The company will pick up curbside garbage, recycling, yard waste, grass, leaves and Christmas trees. The use of 64-gallon recycling single-stream toter/carts with wheels will be implemented later in 2015.

Also, in 2016, the township will introduce 97-gallon garbage toter/carts with wheels for its residents, bought with the landfill fee savings.

Finally, in 2017, residents should see their garbage pickup bills lowered.