Phoenix rolling out new programs to increase recycling participation rates
The city of Phoenix will soon unveil new programs designed to increase the number of residents that partake in recycling.
(KTAR Photo/Kathy Cline)
(KTAR Photo/Kathy Cline)
PHOENIX — The city of Phoenix will soon unveil new programs designed to increase the number of residents that partake in recycling.
Lucas Mariacher, the zero-waste coordinator for the Phoenix Public Works Department, said the city is thinking of new ways to reduce waste.
“There’s a lot of textiles – like our clothing – which is a problem,” he said. “So we’re going to create a textile-recycling program.”
But that’s not the only idea on the board.
“We have a compost facility opening up,” Mariacher said. “About 25 to 30 percent of what’s in our waste stream is compostable materials.”
The city is also implementing a program called RecycleBank that offers incentives to residents.
“If you sign up online, you get points based on what you’re recycling curbside,” Mariacher said. “You also get points for reading articles and taking actions online. Then you can use those points in local restaurants, or for local gift cards, or even national rewards.”
Phoenix hopes to have about 40 percent of the city participating in recycling programs by 2040. It still has a long way to go to meet that goal.
“We’re at 20 percent [recycling participation] right now,” Mariacher said.
Mariacher said the goal will be tougher to reach because the city cannot offer recycling services at apartment complexes and restaurants.
The city of Phoenix has said it wants to be zero-waste by 2050.
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Comments
4 Comments
Two things Cali does that are good for this. The California Redemption Value Program and paying for bags at grocery stores. Both programs help sort recycling as well as making it more efficient.
So...
a) Are we going to be forced to divide things out and put them in separate pickup bins, as is the case in some other cities?
b) Are the trash cops coming back, to sniff through our garbage?
c) What if we already compost for our own gardens? Are we going to be made to get rid of our own compost bins and collect stuff for the city instead?
d) Are those of us who buy mostly whole foods and unprocessed products, which tend to be less overpackaged than processed and junk foods, going to be penalized for not throwing out as much trash...because we don't acquire as much trash?
e) And why are restaurants not made to participate in the recycling program? What is the rationale for that?
Reporting, please?
AZ is always one of the last communities to recognize climactic changes. Major cities have had curbside recycling programs in the works for more than 25 years.
Let's go!!