NEW CASTLE — County commissioners gave their blessing to the Lawrence-Mercer Recycling/Solid Waste Department to have request bids for the recycling drop-off program.

Under the department, Lawrence County runs the operational side, while Mercer reimburses Lawrence for the work.

Department Director Jerry Zona the department is in its third and final year of its "Big Blue Bin" program.

Rather than simply renewing he contract, the department will look to see if they can find another bid at a better price.

He said the recycling market is doing better now than in 2018 when the blue bin program was set up.

The Mercer County commissioners agreed to look for new bids as well.

Currently, recycling drop-off sites in the county include New Castle, Perry Township, Enon Valley Borough, North Beaver Township, Pulaski Township, Scott Township, Hickory Township, Plain Grove Township, Slippery Rock Township, Ellport Borough, and SNPJ Borough.