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Waste & Recycling January 05, 2018 02:30:12 PM

Recycling Pilot Achieves Dramatic Reduction in Contamination Rates

Paul Ploumis
ScrapMonster Author
Following the success of the pilot, the city now aims to use similar model to boost the City recycling rate, which currently stands low at 10%.

Recycling Pilot Achieves Dramatic Reduction in Contamination Rates

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) has announced that the pilot recycling program in partnership with The Recycling Partnership resulted in significant reduction in contamination rates. The preliminary results released by the Department show that recycling contamination declined by 32% during the year. The targeted educational campaign yielded positive results, said city press release.

The Chicago City had launched the single stream “Blue Cart Recycling” program in 2013. As per the program made available to single family homes as well as 2-flat, 3-flat, and 4-flat buildings, residents were allowed to place all recyclables together in blue carts placed at designated supermarkets and grocery stores. The collected recyclables were picked up on a bi-weekly basis in special trucks to be transported to authorized recycling facilities.

Further to observing high contamination rates in these bins, the City had tried various tactics. Finally, it had partnered with The Recycling Partnership- a Falls Church, Virginia-based non-profit to launch a campaign aimed at boosting the quantity and quality of recyclables. The campaign carried out extensive outreach and educational campaign covering nearly 4,400 participating households. Awareness materials were mailed to each home and were also placed on carts, highlighting the prohibited items for the benefit of residents. The program was sponsored by Coca-Cola and Target.

Following the success of the pilot, the city now aims to use similar model to boost the City recycling rate, which currently stands low at 10%. The City plans to launch a public education campaign, highlighting the materials that could be recycled along with the list of materials that could not be recycled. Towards end-January, homeowners will receive a mailer that reminds them about the materials acceptable for recycling. It will also contain recycling schedule and links to access recycling information online.

The Chicago DSS has also announced launch of a new ‘RecycleByCity’ online tool, which is aimed to help residents in finding out the garbage and recycling pick-up schedule in their respective cities. It also provides user-friendly information about what can and cannot be recycled.

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