SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The start of the New Year 2024 will mark changes to curbside trash and recycling collection in the city of Pittsburgh. The proposed changes are considered an attempt by the city to become more eco-friendly.

The two major changes are with respect to collection and recycling of loose recyclables and cardboard.

Firstly, the city will no longer accept recycling in plastic bags. Instead, residents are required to place their recyclables loosely in the curbside bins. It must be noted that the city has handed over more than 90,000 blue bins over the past few years.

Starting 2024, any recycling placed in a plastic bag will not be accepted for pickup and will be considered as a violation. The first violation will result in a warning. The second violation will result in a fine of $100, with subsequent violations costing $250 each, the news release said.

Also, the city will no longer pick up cardboard boxes on non-recycling weeks. Previously, the city used to collect cardboard even on non-scheduled days in order to keep the streets clean. However, this will no longer happen in 2024. The residents are required to flatten and bundle cardboard boxes into manageable sizes and place them inside blue bins. The bins must be placed outside only on designated weeks.