Join RecycleNOW and collect recyclables on the Friday, April 30 Phillies game against the New York Mets. To help the Philadelphia Phillies kick off their "Red Goes Green" Campaign, RecycleNOW will be volunteering to collect recyclables and answer questions with the Phillie's Ballgirls for the first seven innings. Don't miss this fun opportunity to get to see the Phils battle it out with the rival Mets for FREE!
Volunteer requirements: - Arrive 1 hour prior to the start of the game, 6:00 p.m. We will be sending you information on where to meet us at Citizen's Bank Park. - Must be of age to stand alone in a designated section without adult supervision - Collect recyclable plastic and aluminum bottles from the seating bowl through the 7th inning
Mayor Nutter has proposed the “Keep Philly Clean Service Fee”, which would be $300 a year for most residents, or $200 for low-income households. While a “pay as you throw” system would help to incentivize recycling, a flat fee does not encourage people to produce less trash or to recycle more.
If the trash fee is going to be passed, it should be done with conditions, including commitments to explore and implement waste efficiencies to reduce costs without reducing service.
Interestingly, the Philadelphia Recycling Rewards program offers residents a way to recoup the trash fee if passed. By registering with the program, households can earn up to $400 a year in coupons and discounts for groceries, clothing, entertainment and many other items.
State Funding for Recycling
Governor Rendell recently released $20 million in grants to communities across the Commonwealth to support recycling and composting efforts. Philadelphia received $500,000 to help towards the cost of trucks, education and the salary of the city recycling coordinator.
Since its inception, the Recycling Fund has been supported by a $2-per-ton tipping fee on all landfilled materials in the state. The legislation enabling the tipping fee sunsets every few years, which means that the State Legislature must vote to approve its continuation. There have long been efforts to remove the sunset and make the fee permanent, but they have been unsuccessful.
This year the tipping fee was up for a vote again, but was held hostage by other political maneuvering. For months, it has been unclear if the tipping fee would be reauthorized at all. Just this week, the legislation was voted on and will now move forward. In even better news, the sunset date was extended out to 2010, so the issue will not have to be revisited for 8 years!
Events
Friday, April 9- The Compost Matters conference, which was postponed due to the inclement weather on February 10, has been rescheduled for Friday, April 9 at International House, 3701 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia. The program and tours will be the same as the original program. The two tours that were scheduled for February 13 will now be offered on Saturday, April 10. Saturday, April 10- Weird Waste Day will take place from 1:00- 4:00 p.m. in the Valley Green Bank parking lot on West Highland Ave. in Chestnut Hill. Residents and business people are encouraged to bring their electronic waste such as TV's, computers, cell phones and key boards that will be disposed of responsibly at a cost of 40 cents per pound. The electronics are then reused or recycled responsibly by E Force Compliance, a company located in the Grays Ferry section of Philadelphia.Any additional revenues will be used for future recycling events.
