Think Green Live Clean

Dan McKay

The city of Los Angeles has the highest recycling rate of the ten largest cities in the U.S. (about 65% of L.A. population reduce, reuses, and recycles). Recently, a new pilot program was announced that will encourage an even greater participation of such practices. Known as the RecycleBank, the program allots points to residents who recycle daily with the intention of creating the “cleanest, greenest big city in America” as declared by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. According to the mayor the program will work to better the city’s reputation for sustainability while stimulating the local economy.

The program, set to start on April 5th will encompass over 15,000 single-family homes in the city. Participants will have their blue recycling bins identified with tags that will indicate that the waste collected will be weighed and correspond to a point system. The points collected can then be redeemed to many various stores and retailers such as CVS Pharmacy, Bed Bath & Beyond, etc. Several national chains are participating alongside local L.A. businesses. These RecycleBank points can be used throughout the nation in over 1,000 stores.

RecycleBank Chief Executive Ron Gonen explains his initial motivation for the creation of the program: For too long, people viewed doing things for the environment as the right thing to do but costly. I wanted to start a movement that said smart environmental decisions were also smart economic decisions. Recycling could have the biggest impact in terms of changing that view and behavior because it touches every house.”

RecyleBank actually has its headquarters in NY and is affiliated with more than 50 cities in the United States. The Los Angeles neighborhoods that are participation include Topanga, Sherman Oaks, Hollywood, Northridge, Lincoln Hights, Cypress Park, and others.

Before the inception of the program, residents will be instructed on what can be recycled and how their existing blue bin will have a bar code and stickers that have microchips that record the house’s participation. The weight will correspond to the amount of points.

Los Angeles makes $25 for every ton of recyclables processed. This is juxtaposed to the $30 cost of disposing of the waste. After the trial period, the RecycleBank program could expand to include 745,000 homes and apartments. The projected goal is to reach 1.2 million households. If successful, the program could act as a model for private business and schools who could enact their own RecycleBank in order to inspire their localized community.

Information at LA Times

RecycleBank