Speaking before concerned citizens at Schlow Memorial Library last night, a director for the area's recycling program outlined Centre County's attempt to deal with the refuse problem.

"There's no textbook solution," said Irene Ferrara, recycling coordinator for the Centre County Waste Authority. "There's no right way to do it."

She said that due to Commonwealth Act 101, passed in 1988, municipalities with populations greater than 10,000, such as State College, must implement recycling programs by September. Areas with more than 5,000 residents or 300 people per square mile, such as Bellefonte and College Township, are required to begin recycling by September 1991, she said.

Ferrara said, Centre County experimented with a pilot program last August, servicing 600 homes. The system was expanded in November to encompass the entire State College and Bellefonte boroughs, as well as College, Harris, Patton and Ferguson townships -- an estimated 10,200 residences, she said.

Ferrara said glass, paper, certain plastics and aluminum are brought to a transfer station in College Township from three sources: home collections, University accumulations and a drop-off station on North Atherton Street.

The depository, located near the Bi-Lo supermarket, consists of several 9-by-12 sheds containing large bins to place sorted materials. Ferrara said initial reaction to the station was phenomenal, as the original shed filled to capacity in six days.

After contaminants are removed, and the material is broken down at the two- story recycling plant, the raw products are sold in different markets to be reused, Ferrara explained. Unfortunately, she said, there is not enough consumer demand for some products, such as plastics and newspaper, to warrant high prices.

One way to recoup revenues is to look at alternate markets, Ferrara said. For example, the county has contracts with several farmers to provide shredded or whole newspapers for use as animal bedding.

Sue Smith, a Lemont resident, said the paper degrades faster than straw and is warmer than the traditional covering. Besides, she said, it gives the cows something to read.

Joe Banks, of State College, expressed concern at how the recycling plan was actually operating. He disputed the cost effectiveness of the large size of the processing plant and trucks as well as the weekly collection, which he felt was too often.

"I'm a bit disappointed in the thought that didn't go into this project," he said.

Ferrara projected that in time, the program will grow, using more automation and material contributions from commercial businesses, office buildings and condominiums.

"We try to make the program as easy as possible while targeting the most materials," Ferrara said.