About Our Facility
Located on approximately eight acres, our facility offers a variety of opportunities to learn about environmental stewardship and sustainable practices. The site includes a recycling center for hard-to-dispose-of materials, a classroom space for educational programs, and examples of environmentally friendly practices, including an apiary and a pollinator garden. Tours of the following two areas are typically combined with a recycling center tour but may also be scheduled as stand-alone experiences.
To learn more about our educational programs or to schedule a presentation, call 724-879-4020 or email our educator.
Recycling Center Tour
Ever wonder what we do with the material that gets collected at the Westmoreland Cleanways Recycling Center, schedule a tour to find out.
During this guided tour, participants will visit each collection area and discover what materials are collected, why they matter, and what happens to them after leaving the center. Depending on the age and size of the group, visitors may even get to see recycling equipment, including balers and the foam densifier, in action.
Tours typically occur when the recycling center is closed to the public. For the safety of the tour guests, closed toed, thick soles shoes are required.
Small Classroom presentations
Our 12’ x 24’ classroom provides a comfortable setting for small group presentations, workshops, educational programs, and meetings. It is a perfect setting for one of our programs geared towards preschoolers, school age, or adult groups. We can also customize a presentation within the themes of proper waste management techniques, reducing, reusing, recycling, composting, and litter to best meet the needs of the group.
The Apiary
Experience the Westmoreland Cleanways Recycling Center Apiary with a free guided tour offered April through September, weather permitting. Tours last about one hour and are best suited for groups of 12 to 15 participants, though larger groups can be accommodated. They are appropriate for elementary through high school students including homeschool groups and cyber schools, scouts, and adult groups.
All visitors are provided with protective gear, including bee suits and gloves, before entering the apiary. The tour begins with a brief introduction to honeybee biology and what to expect during the visit, followed by an up-close look inside an open honeybee hive. Each tour concludes with a honey tasting and time for questions.
Meet Nancy Thorne
Nancy Thorne is our resident beekeeper. With 13 years of honeybee-keeping experience, Nancy brings deep knowledge and dedication to the apiary. She is a Penn State University graduate, a volunteer Pennsylvania Master Naturalist, a Penn State Master Watershed Steward and she is currently completing Cornell University’s Master Beekeeper Certification coursework. Nancy established the apiary in 2021 in the meadow at the rear of the property, where it has grown to include six honeybee hives. She also continues to expand pollinator plantings and remove invasive plants around the apiary to help support native bees and a healthier habitat.
The Pollinator Garden
Whether a small container or large site, incorporating plants into landscaping is essential. Come, walk the pollinator garden at Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling and learn about soil composition and how to choose native plants for your area. Some plants thrive in full sun, while others need shadier areas. Hear about how to consider the amount of water available in the area, to help pick the right plants.
While here, your group can observe nature, insects and birds while learning about the foundation of habitat creation. Finally, some tips on maintenance in a sustainable way. Patty, along with other master gardeners and garden club members have helped to plant and maintain the garden here.
Schedule a tour and learn more about the importance of native plants and creating habitat and beauty for nature and humans. (Garden made possible by a Keep America Beautiful Grant.)
