Largest City in Texas Has Lowest Recycling Rate

Though programs for recycling have been in placehousehold.
throughout the city, there had been little push toIn March of this year Houston made the switch
involve its residents. City officials promise thatfrom a dual-stream to a single-stream recycling
new partnerships and expansion of recyclingprogram, meaning all materials (paper, plastic,
programs will help encourage residents toaluminum, cardboard, glass, tin, etc) are collected
recycle.ca By newly partnering with RecycleBankin a single bin. Over ten thousand homes started
they will be able to increase recycling and reducethe program and participation in those
the amount of material going into their landfills.neighbourhoods grew from 224 percent to 55
Beginning on Nov. 9, RecycleBank will now offerpercent in a six month period.
its services to 22,000 new residents who canHouston expects participation to continue to grow
benefit from its incentives such as coupons, giftespecially since each household has the potential
cards and discounts that participants can earn.to earn rewards for their efforts. RecycleBank
The program which is already offered in 21 statesestimates that individual homes could earn as
has been warmly received and offers themuch as $450 in rewards yearly by participating in
incentives based on the amount recycled by eachthe program.