The City of Atlanta announced a new public-private partnership that offers rewards from national and local retailers to residents who recycle.
Under the pilot program, 10,000 households will receive 96-gallon blue containers retrofitted with an ID tag with the resident’s household address and an account number from rewards partner RecycleBank. The ID cards will be readable by retrofitted city trucks, and will allow the city to track changes in the amount of recyclables collected from participating households. Upon activating their account, households will begin to earn points redeemable for rewards, gift cards, groceries, and products at hundreds of local reward partners.
"Incentive-based recycling will help us to meet our recycling and sustainability goals while giving something back to our residents," said Shirley Franklin, Mayor of Atlanta.
Rewards partners will include national brands and retailers such as Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods, Bed, Publix, CVS Pharmacy and Bed, Bath and Beyond, as well as a number of local restaurants.
Coca-Cola Enterprises, housed in Atlanta, funded the purchase of the blue recycling carts used in the pilot program.
The City of Atlanta said that the new partnership is a prime example of its efforts to increase the number of recyclables going to productive end uses rather than to area landfills.
"During today’s recession and economic climate, saving money on groceries, on clothing, or at the pharmacy translates to great value. We have found a way to provide real financial rewards and help the environment at the same time," said Franklin.
The City of Atlanta Recycling Program is managed by the Department of Public Works and the Office of Solid Waste Services. In addition to promoting and supporting new recycling initiatives and programs, the program educates city employees and the public about waste reduction and recycling opportunities.