Marquis of Debris: Biz recycle violations cost city

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MIX AND MINGLE: During a walk on a Friday night in late October, Brady Russell stumbled across a gargantuan, uncovered Dumpster on Bodine Street near Spring Garden, next to Finnigan's Wake bar.

Russell, an organizer at environmental-watchdog group Clean Water Action, peeked into it and saw garbage mingling with recyclables.

Infuriated, Russell snapped photos and sent them to The Marquis, saying that although businesses in Philadelphia are required to recycle, it's obvious that some are flouting the rule.

"Bars, in particular, are known for refusing to separate their waste, which is a shame considering how many bottles and cans could be recycled," he said.

Trash cans and Dumpsters outside of businesses are supposed to be covered, according to law. So far this year, enforcement officers at the Streets Department have written more than 500 tickets to businesses that failed to obey that law, and more than 20,000 tickets to individuals and businesses that threw recycling out with the trash.

Next Great City-Philadelphia, a coalition pushing to expand recycling throughout the city, says the city saves $54 on every ton of garbage that is recycled instead of going into a landfill or incinerator.

"There's a direct economic benefit when people recycle, we need people to do it as much as possible," Deputy Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams said.

To get coupons and discounts at local merchants from the city's recycling rewards program, go to www.phillyrecyclingpays.com

SPEAKING OF RECYCLING . . .

Keep Philadelphia Beautiful and the Philadelphia Eagles are to announce the winners of the 2011 Recycle Bowl at Lincoln Financial Field as part of America Recycles Day on Tuesday.

The bowl is a national competition pitting elementary, middle and high schools against each other to teach students about environmental responsibility and judging the schools' recycling efforts against each other.

Winning schools in each division will be awarded $2,500.

Megan Smith, spokeswoman for Keep Philadelphia Beautiful, said the culmination of the Recycle Bowl marks the beginning of the "A Bag's Life" campaign.

"A Bag's Life focuses on educating the public on the recyclability of plastic bags and wrappers and locations where they can be conveniently recycled," Smith said.