For Immediate Release 
June 13, 2012

The first day of collection in the city of Columbus’ new residential recycling program on June 4, brought in 414.21 tons of reusable materials, resulting in a savings of $22,955 in fees if the recyclables were dumped at the landfill instead of being recycled.  The plastics, glass and other recyclables were collected from single-family homes in Franklinton, the Hilltop, Westland, other far west neighborhoods, the southwest side and portions of the northwest side.

“It was a tremendous first effort with residents filling their carts with recyclable items that two weeks earlier had been placed in the trash,“ Mayor Michael B. Coleman said. “Thanks to all residents who are participating in making Columbus a greener, smarter city.” 

First time collection rates benefitted from a strong education program that included community presentations, neighborhood posters and displays, media coverage, recorded telephone call reminders to recycle and TV Public Service Announcements that showed how easy it is to recycle with the blue cart.  Residents in the areas had from several weeks to more than a month to fill their carts with recyclables as the carts were delivered to their homes over a several week period that began on April 16, 2012.  The collected tonnage showed little contamination – meaning that residents knew what items were recyclable and what items were not.

Recycling is collected at no additional cost to residents every two weeks, alternating with yard waste collection. The program will save the city of Columbus millions of dollars in landfill costs over several years.

“The first weeks of this program show a tangible return on the City’s investment in recycling,” said Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley, chair of the Public Service and Transportation Committee.  “Residents have been enthusiastic about participating and I look forward to the program’s expansion to the rest of Columbus.”

The start of bi-weekly recycling collection service marks the first of five implementation phases of RecyColumbus. Delivery of blue carts to residents who live in the Phase 2 areas on the South, Near East, Far East and Southeast sides of the City began June 11.  Bi-weekly collections of recyclables in those areas will start July 31.

When fully implemented in February 2013, RecyColumbus will serve more than 220,000 households. Columbus residents living in single-family homes or in a building with four units or less that are not part of a complex are automatically enrolled in this new, convenient and easy-to-use city service.

RecyColumbus is a program of the City of Columbus Department of Public Service. Visit www.RecycleColumbus.org to learn more about collection days, cart delivery or what to put in the cart. Connect online at: Facebook.com/ ColumbusPublicService and twitter.com/ColumbusDPS or search for #RecycleColumbus.