Evansville residents’ participation in recycling doubles in one year‏

Evansville residents’ participation in recycling doubles in one year New container cart system and easier comingled recycling helps increase participation and reduce landfill waste
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Evansville Water and Sewer Utility has observed that residents’ participation in curbside recycling has doubled in the past year. Participation jumped after the new single-container, automated trash service, along with a separate container single-stream (commingled), automated recycling program was rolled out in January 2013.
In May 2013, 63 percent of residents participated in curbside recycling, up from 33 percent in May of last year. Additionally, the volume of recycled materials being processed has more than doubled – 442 tons/month in May 2013 compared to 208 tons/month of recyclables in May 2012.
“It’s encouraging to see the community embrace the new trash and recycling carts system and get more involved with recycling,” said Ed Ziemer, deputy director of operations for the Evansville Water and Sewer Utility. “While recycling is not mandatory, it is highly encouraged. Residents are making a conscious effort to recycle, reducing their trash and the amount of waste that goes into our landfill, which is better for the environment. We hope this trend continues,” he added.
Evansville’s single-stream recycling has simplified the chore of recycling. Residents no longer need to separate glass, plastics and paper. Instead, the program allows all eligible recyclable materials to be comingled into one cart. The 96-gallon cart, provided by Allied Waste services, is distinguished by a green lid and has been provided to all Evansville trash and recycling customers. Pick-up occurs every other week. The pick-up schedule can be viewed at maps.evansvillegis.com/Trash.
Important reminders about recycling
The recycling container may not be used for trash.
ï‚· Through January 2015, households that produce more trash than their containers hold may place overflow trash in bags or containers next to the trash cart.
ï‚· The recycling container may not be used as an additional trash can. The cart for recycling may only contain recyclables and will be picked up every other week.
For more information about items eligible for recycling, and to read commonly asked questions about the program in Evansville, please visit www.ewsu.com/recycling-services. Or, contact Republic Services (formerly Allied Waste Services) at 812.424.3345.