For years you’ve been hearing that the city recycling program is losing money. Well, I’m happy to report it’s now making a profit. Even if you don’t recycle, this is great news.
Not only is the city helping the environment and saving money by reducing the amount of waste we pay to send to landfills, the fact that the program now makes money means the city budget has more money to expand the program or to pay for other city services, such as police, fire, health, parks and libraries.  What could be better news in a recession?

Big green recycling bins
The new all-in-one recycling containers in the pilot program  look like city trash containers, only green. They’ve already made  recycling easier and profitable in eight lucky Houston neighborhoods: Lindale Park, north central;  Riverwood Estates, far north Houston; three in the Clear Lake area, Pineloch, Oakbrook and Pinebrook; Old Sixth Ward near Downtown; and Westbury and Meyerland in southwest Houston. The one-year pilot program allows residents to throw in plastics, paper, metal containers and glass in one bin. 
It’s already doubled recycling in these areas and convinced city officials this program is the  wave of Houston’s future. Although expanding the program citywide would eventually pay for itself, the $32 million pricetag for new trucks, converting old trucks and recycling bins means this will take longer than we would like.  The city is, however, pursuing federal stimulus funding for vehicle and bin purchases.
After only a month, participation rates look like this:
Meyerland        69%        
Pinebrook        68%         
Westbury        65%
Pineloch        61%        
Oakbrook        61%
Old Sixth Ward      53%
Lindale Park         39%
Riverwood Estates     22%

Recycling pays everyone
Recycling offers obvious benefits to city government, especially if it turns a profit and reduces the need for expanding landfills.  The easier we make recycling, the greater the benefits. Neighborhoods that learn to recycle get cleaner over time. 
People pick up cans and turn them in for cash. More people  walking in parks and on the street  pick up glass and cardboard because all they have to do is toss them into a recycling bin. We all win with less glass to step on or drive over. 
Hopefully, the city can also expand neighborhood depositories so residents can drop off more tires and wood waste in addition to items normally recycled in green bins.  Wouldn’t we all like to see fewer dumping grounds with old tires and lumber? I love recycling for many reasons.
One of the best: Recycling just makes it so much easier to make Houston cleaner and more beautiful. To subscribe to the city controller’s monthly newsletter,  please email: anniseparker@cityofhouston.net.