Borough of State College Government

100th Homebuyer The Community Housing Partnership celebrated a vast milestone of serving 100 homebuyers with a reception and Mayoral Proclamation on Monday, February 8. The event and proclamation recognized the efforts of Housing Transitions, Inc., the State College Community Land Trust and the State College Borough First-Time Homebuyer programs in providing quality, affordable homes in the Borough of State College.

In November 2009, the Community Housing Partnership, which has been helping families become homeowners for fifteen years, assisted its 100th client into homeownership. Dedicated to providing affordable homeownership options in State College, the Community Housing Partnership programs offer a range of opportunities. Housing Transitions, Inc. (HTI) acquires, rehabs and sells homes to qualified buyers. HTI also provides pre- and post-purchase budget counseling and education. The State College Community Land Trust works to support and maintain sustainable housing opportunities through perpetually affordable homes that have been rehabbed and include closing cost assistance. State College Borough First-Time Homebuyer Programs offer mortgage and closing cost assistance to qualified first-time homebuyers. The Borough also offers home rehabilitation assistance for owner-occupied homes.

To learn more visit www.housingtransitions.com, www.scclandtrust.org, or www.statecollegepa.us.

Food Waste Pilot Program

The Borough of State College began a special food waste collection and composting program in two neighborhoods in mid-January. The Greening State College program is the only curbside food waste collection and composting program east of the Mississippi River.

In January, residents were provided a kitchen pail for daily collection of food waste and a large, brown cart into which the daily waste is dumped. Once a week, residents wheel the brown carts to the curb for the Borough to empty. Participants in the program's first six weeks diverted over 13,300 pounds of food waste that would have reached the landfill and is, instead, being composted at the Borough's Yard Waste Recycling Facility. Food waste being collected includes coffee grounds and filters, fruits and vegetables, egg shells, breads and pastas, and even napkins and paper plates (no foam plates, please).

Residents may choose to line their brown collection cart to minimize the clean up required over time. Paper grocery bags and newspaper are two good options for liners. When purchasing bags for containers, residents are cautioned to be sure bags are "100% compostable" not just "biodegradable" and are urged to avoid the use of plastic grocery bags or regular trash bags. Local grocery stores have been given this list so they can stock the correct bags for the program, but individual websites are listed below for online purchasing.

Acceptable bags for this program include:

· Bio-Bags www.biobagusa.com

· EcoSafe www.ecosafeplastics.com

· Bag-To-Nature www.indaco.ca/bagtonature.php

· Nat-ur www.nat-urstore.com

More information may be found on the Borough's website, www.statecollegepa.us.

The Interfaith Mission Needs Your Help!

Wishing for Donations The Interfaith Mission (a United Way member agency with 24 member congregations) has been serving State College and Centre County since 1968. The Furniture Recycling Program is the only furniture program in Centre County providing free furniture to those in need, and the Program needs help from the community. Clients residing anywhere in Centre County may receive, free of charge, household items ranging from appliances, chairs, tables, sofas, beds, small appliances and linens. These are donated items held in their furniture warehouse awaiting inquiries. This program is maintained by donor contributions of items in good condition (they have no repair facilities).

The Program is in need of donated gently used furniture and working electric appliances. Community members are asked to save space in the landfills and donate usable furniture, including sofas, dressers, beds and frames, dining tables and chairs, lamps, and other household furniture. They are also in need of working appliances, including refrigerators, electric stoves, washing machines, and electric dryers.

The furniture can be dropped off at their furniture warehouse located at 2100-C East College Avenue. You can also arrange for the furniture to be picked up. Those wishing to donate should call Interfaith Mission to schedule a pickup at (814) 234-7731. They provide tax receipts for all donations.

For more information about Interfaith Mission, visit their web site: http://interfaithmission.centreconnect.org/ or by calling Matt Hall, Executive Director of the Interfaith Mission at (814) 234-7731.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

The Centre County Solid Waste Authority will hold a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event on April 30th and May 1st. This is the time to properly dispose of your household chemicals, cleaners, toxins and flammables, etc. The Authority is partnering with Snappy's this year who will be giving away $750.00 in gift cards. Stop by the collection for a chance to win. In addition, participants will receive a free reusable grocery tote for attending (one per vehicle).

Not sure if the material you have is considered Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)? HHW is defined as any material containing ingredients that are corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive. Products such as oil-based paints, insecticides, chemicals, cleaners and flammables contain potentially hazardous ingredients and require special care when you dispose of them.

If you would like to be included on the Authority's e-mail list to stay informed on local recycling events, please e-mail Amy Schirf at .

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