City recycling rates soar

Recycling rates in Philadelphia have skyrocketed since the beginning of single-stream recycling effort in January, Mayor Nutter announced today.

Nutter, in a press release, said that residential recycling "has reached an all time record with a 46 percent increase in household recycling over the last year."

The Streets Department collected 75,060 tons of household waste between June 2008 and June 2009, 23,734 tons more than in the previous 12-month period.

That's 278 pounds of recycled materials per household, up 88 pounds from the previous year.

Residents are now recycling 12.4 percent of their garbage, an increase of 5.3 percentage points since January 2008. That saved the city $4.8 million in landfill costs.

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Posted by Jeff Shields @ 10:34 AM Permalink | 34 comments

Comments

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0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:28 AM, 07/15/2009

I'd still like to know what the percentage of households that actually recycle. I'm sure it's low and there is no reason it should be. Also, can we start fining the companies that produce flyers and shower them all over the streets?

— killjoy

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:28 AM, 07/15/2009

Great attitude Sometimes. I bet you like to park in handicap spaces in your spare time too... Get another can to put your recycling in and stop whining...

— phlyfumblr

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:28 AM, 07/15/2009

sometimesilie- oh you rebel

— conway86

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0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:35 AM, 07/15/2009

somtimes is a BAMF

— mantua633

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0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:38 AM, 07/15/2009

Yes, I agree with you sometimesilie. They need to start fining these people heavily and try to generate some needed revenues the city needs. Mayor Nutter, where are the new ideas for generating revenue when the city is facing a deficit?

— knmcmahon

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:38 AM, 07/15/2009

Wow, that is fantastic. I needed a bit of good news about Philly after that Fumo sentence. Vanessa, I'm a conservative, and I recycle the most on my block, and got bins for everyone who wanted one! What's a BAMF? Anyway, the good news is we are getting big amounts out of landfills, and there's more to go.

— CleanupPhilly

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0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:41 AM, 07/15/2009

I agree that fines for egregious non-recycling can help the heathens see the light. The city needs the money. Tie it to property tax bills, and sheriff sale the worst offenders who have big trash fines and overdue property taxes. That's what other cities and counties do. It works. Fine the people who can't put their trash out right, don't use a can, and leave trash on the curb after the trash refuse heavy items, like kitchen cabinets or drywall (you have to hire a private removal firm or get a dumpster, about $500 per). It's not that hard people.

— CleanupPhilly