Greensboro seeks to increase recycling rates
What more incentive do Greensboro residents need to recycle other than the satisfaction of knowing they can help the city save money and keep reusable items out of the landfill? Um, could it possibly be more money in the residents' pockets too?
It turns out the city's solid waste division is considering an incentive program with RecycleBank that would provide coupons for discounts at local businesses to residents based on the amount they recycle. Division manager Sheldon Smith said today at a Triad Mobile CARE meeting that he hopes to propose a 10,000 home pilot at the next City Council briefing on Oct. 28.
The division has managed to increase the amount of recyclables it processes since Smith took over in 2006. The division renegotiated its contract to bring the tip fees for recycling below the tips fees for the landfill transfer station (from about $62 per ton to $21 per ton for recycling, in comparison to $41 per ton for the transfer station), Smith said.
The division also reworked the recycling truck routes, from once a week pick up for residences to every other week starting in late January. Smith said the recycling volumes did not justify weekly pick up and the new routes and other initiatives saved almost 4,500 miles between Jan. 28 and June, and $1.4 million in the budget. Still, set out rates increased from 35 percent to 55 percent recycling was up 1 percent for the year.
No specific efforts exist yet to promote composting but Smith said he has spoken with county officials to explore grants for such promotion. Smith said he ultimately hopes to increase the amount of recyclables the city collects from about 17,000 tons per year for residential to 24,000 tons while reducing the amount going to the landfill.
What do you think about the RecycleBank idea? Would you recycle more if you could get coupons to your favorite restaurant? What do you think about the city's recycling services in general?
Comments (5)
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"Smith said the recycling volumes did not justify weekly pick up and the new routes and other initiatives saved almost 4,500 miles between Jan. 28 and June, and $1.4 million in the budget."
Morgan,
Those numbers really don't jive. How could those figures be correct? Please go back and ask the tough questions.
Posted on October 16, 2008 7:42 PM
Billy,
Which numbers do not make sense? I did not have time to have a detailed conversation with Mr. Smith, but do plan on meeting with him in the near future. Here is what he shared with others at the meeting on Thursday:
"Reporting period Jan. 28-June 2008
* 4,472 less miles driven
* reduction of 2 routes on each day of service
* set out rate increased from 35 percent to 55 percent
* increased recycle tonnage by 5 percent during the five month period and 1 percent for the year
* The cost per ton for processing and collection decreased
* Reduced budget by $1.4 million and function more efficiently (several factors included)
* citizen awareness and recycling education"
Also, for fiscal year 07-08:
The solid waste division had a budget of $20.9 million, revenue of $5.3 million; recycling tons collected of 29,293 and refuse tons collected of 123,892 at 66,215 households; average annual mileage of sanitation vehicle of 11,300 miles.
I'll request the recycling contracts and annual reports for details.
Posted on October 17, 2008 8:58 AM
I think this sounds like an excellent idea. I think the city should also implement Recylce Bank's Kiosk program for multi-family housing developments, including apartments.
http://recyclebank.com/how-it-works/kiosks
Posted on October 17, 2008 2:32 PM
Libby,
When I spoke to Mr. Smith, he mentioned that one of his priorities is helping owner-occupied multi-family complexes (condos and town houses) get city trash service. So perhaps these residents could participate in expanded recycling as well.
I wonder though how RecycleBank keeps people from lying, such as loading up cans with a bunch of shoes just to get points. Although if you do that you might as well recycle.
Posted on October 17, 2008 4:18 PM
Morgan,
I not sure what it was I questioned about those numbers...
Questions for the city:
What would stop me from pushing an empty recycling can to the street to earn recyclebank rewards after I've sold my recyclables to private companies?
If someone has to inspect every can before it is picked-up then how will this save taxpayers' dollars?
If someone does inspect my can and find it empty then how can the City prove it was I who emptied it and not someone else who is selling recyclables?
And finally: The best thing about Greensboro's current recycling program is the fact that it currently uses the most efficient and fastest trucks in the industry. Will this new recyclebank require that the City switches to the less efficient trucks like the truck pictured at the recyclebank website?
Posted on October 29, 2008 7:32 PM