Single stream doubles Philly's recycling rate
The city of Philadelphia is debuting some new recycling trucks this Earth Day. It’s all part of the city’s push to recycle more. Another part of the plan is the city’s change to single stream recycling.
The city of Philadelphia is debuting some new recycling trucks this Earth Day. It’s all part of the city’s push to recycle more. Another part of the plan is the city’s change to single stream recycling.
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[audio: 090421tmearth.mp3]
Philadelphia began weekly single stream recycling in January, collecting materials on the same day as trash pickup. Combining all recyclable materials has doubled the diversion rate or the amount of recycling being collected on a weekly basis. Christine Knapp of the group PennFuture says the increase is good for the city and the environment.
Knapp: Because recycling saves natural resources and energy and reduces air pollution and water pollution. It’s also good for the city’s economic position because recycling saves money.
The city saves money because it doesn’t have to pay to dump the materials as they have to do with trash. Mayor Nutter says the city is trying to encourage people to recycle even more. But to improve recycling rates and help the environment, Knapp says fines for non-compliance might be necessary to force additional reductions to the waste stream.
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