Recycling bins will be removed from three West Chester Township locations Saturday.

The move comes after increasing incidents of junk, debris and construction waste being dumped into or left beside the recycling bins.

“That’s very unfortunate because I know there’s a lot of people who appreciate this service,’’ said Trustee Mark Welch, who recycles. “It’s because of a few bad actors that a very good service for the community is being withdrawn – and that is a shame.”

Items have included mattresses, a couch, garbage, a seat from a vehicle and toilets, said Larry Burks, township administrator.

“I don’t think it’s fair to taxpayers of West Chester to have to pay for everyone to clean up after whoever is dumping this,’’ Burks said.

Too much time is spent by township employees sorting through the trash, putting garbage into township receptacles, and getting rid of debris. Their time could be better spent on assigned duties, Burks said.

“There’s always been some degree of misuse,’’ said Barb Wilson, township spokeswoman. “It’s become more rampant in the last five years.”

Recycling bins have been available to residents at Keehner Park, Beckett Park, and the former Cox Road activity center.The abuse has continued despite additional signage, changes in lid size, videos and other educational efforts.

“This is not a rash decision. We’re not giving up on recycling. We know it’s important,” Wilson said. “We don’t think parks are the right location.”

Wilson said the township plans to look into the possibility of having the Butler County Recycling and Solid Waste District place bins near the township’s service center adjacent to the police department in the next year or two.

“It would be better monitored and controlled and creates a recycling center that’s not ugly to look at,’’ Wilson said.

In the meantime, the township and the county recycling and solid waste district is encouraging residents to explore curbside or other recycling options. The district is studying the possibility of offering cardboard recycling in January, said Anne Fiehrer Flaig, head of recycling.

The district is also partnering with Rumpke on a promotion offering West Chester residents three free months of curbside recycling if they sign up for the service by Nov. 30. Flyers will be mailed out soon.

“Research shows twice as much material is collected when curbside recycling is used,’’ Fiehrer Flaig said.“When people get used to the convenience … they form the (recycling) habit quickly.”

For Information: call 1-800-828-8171 or email service.cin@rumpke.com and put ‘West Chester recycles’ in the subject line.