The trash bins at the Fox Chapel municipal building are meant for bulk trash, not trash in bulk.

Borough Manager Gary Koehler said some residents have been ignoring guidelines and tossing out household trash, grass clippings and building materials.

"That's not what the bins are for," Borough Secretary Dana Abate said.

Borough leaders are cracking down on violators, saying items will be checked during drop-off.

Residents who violate the trash dumping regulations will have their privileges revoked.

The bins, open each weekend, are an added service for residents to discard heavy or bulky items that weigh more than 45 pounds that aren't hauled away by the borough's garbage contractor.

Acceptable items include furniture, appliances without Freon, hot water tanks, bikes, toys, sports equipment, lawn mowers and tools.

"People have been throwing in household garbage, carpeting and building supplies," Abate said.

Because the borough's garbage contract stipulates back-door service for residents, the weight limit on items is set at 45 pounds. That includes items such as tables, chairs, microwaves and other small household appliances.

Residents also are allowed to set out two bags of grass clippings each week.

Bulk items taken to the garbage bins have the potential to be reused or recycled. Household garbage dumped on top of a piece of furniture makes that option difficult, according to borough officials.

The bins are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends, except holidays.

Residents are asked to show their driver's license when they bring items to drop off. Items in bags or boxes will need to be emptied to make sure the guidelines are followed.

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