Curbside Recycling- Starting to Make “Cents”

A New York Times article from May 2008 indicates that the cost to operate curbside recycling for New York City residents is finally becoming more competitive with trash disposal costs. Historically, the costs for providing a residential curbside recycling program have been substantially higher per ton than the costs to simply haul away the material as garbage to a landfill. Just a few years ago in 2004, New York City spent around $34 to $48 a ton more to recycle than to ship garbage to the landfill. This year, however, the price difference has dwindled to just $17 a ton more for recycling, underscoring the rising costs of sending garbage to landfills in other states and the increase in redemption values for recyclables. The City is beginning to realize that increased participation in curbside recycling yields more revenues from recyclables as well as savings from paying fewer tipping fees at the landfill. Recycling is really starting to make “cents” in more ways than one!