Whitehall Township is expected to begin recycling pickup from wheeled toters at 8,100 residential properties in the next three to four weeks.

Toter Corporation, which was awarded the contract for the new “single stream recycling carts,” will deliver the 65-gallon toters to each property. They are dark green in color with yellow lids. After receiving the toters, residents will need to discontinue using the current recycling containers.

“Recyclables will only be picked up using the new carts,” Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. said.

The township states the new “single stream recycling program” is an easier way for residents to recycle; instead of carrying multiple bins to the curb, residents can put all their recyclables in one toter, then simply roll it to the curb. The toters have handles for easy moving.

All households and apartment complexes with fewer than three units are part of the new recycling program.

The cost for the toter carts is $300,000-plus, paid for from savings for landfill costs. There is no charge to residents. There were three bids received by the township. Toter Corporation was chosen.

Whitehall Township follows South Whitehall Township and Palmer Township in having this innovative recycling program in place. South Whitehall and Palmer Township use a 95-gallon recycling container.

Transition to the recycling containers will mean a change for some, but the township said municipalities that have the system already in place noted that after residents became more familiar with the new toters, they embraced the program.

Hozza noted a moratorium on size change for the first six months. A decision to offer a smaller-size unit will be decided on a case-by-case basis, Hozza said.

Residents will begin to use the new toters on the next scheduled recycling pickup day after delivery.

This new program is mandated by a township ordinance. Citations will be issued for noncompliance.