Dive Brief:

• A recent ruling in Reading, Pennsylvania found that the mandatory recycling fee collected by the city is illegal.
• The court determined that two state laws which regulate recycling do not allow municipalities to charge a fee to residents but must pay for recycling through grants or sales.
• This decision may change recycling services across the state.

Dive Insight:

The ruling will move to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for an appeal. Jane Meeks, executive director of the Berks County Solid Waste Authority, said, "I think it could be devastating. What we're trying to do is work with the other municipalities in Berks, with the DEP, to try to figure out who are the affected parties in this."