Philadelphians have set a recycling record.

Mayor Michael Nutter announced Wednesday morning that household recycling increased 46 percent over the last year. During fiscal year 2009 – July 2008 to June 2009 – the average household with City collection recycled 278 pounds of their waste last year – 88 pounds more than in the previous year, according to a mayor’s office press release. The percentage of waste recycled instead of thrown into the trash has increased 5.3 percent during the Nutter administration. It has reached 12.4 percent, and that  has saved the city about $4.8 million in landfill costs.

“Recycling is becoming a way of life in Philadelphia, with so many opportunities for all citizens to get involved,” Nutter said in the press statement. “It’s not just about achieving environmental goals. Recycling saves us real money – a different kind of green.”

 
Posted by Kellie Patrick Gates