Enhanced Residential Recycling Pilot Program

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Community Development

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Purpose Statement

Frequently Asked Questions

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Community Development

Currently, the City of Henderson's recycling rates are lower than the national average of 33%. To help achieve our strategic goal of becoming a sustainability community, the Mayor and City Council asked the Citizens' Advisory Committee to study the issue of recycling. Listed below are a few of the benefits they identified when evaluating the Enhanced Residential Recycling Program:

Benefits of Enhanced Recycling

Cleaner Neighborhoods

The new carts have double locking lids and keep trash from spilling. With every home receiving a new recycling & trash cart, there will be no more trash bags piled along the street. Did you know placing trash bags on the street or sidewalk is not only against code, but it does not protect the trash from wind, scavengers or animals that can tear into the plastic bags? The new carts are study and protect your trash during windy days - they do not tip over or lose lids like other trash cans.

Easy & Convenient

All recycled material goes into one single wheeled cart. No more sorting stacked recycling bins that are carried to the curb. The ease of use and convenience, along with increased weekly pick-up, are key reasons for a 58% increase in the volume of recycled material collected in the pilot program. Residents have their choice of requesting small, medium and large containers. For those who choose the small recycling cart, the new recycling cart takes up the same space as the stacked recycling bins. Residents can also order an extra recycling or trash cart at no additional charge. Residents that do not want to sort recycling can call Republic Services to have the recycling cart removed.

Increases Recycling Services & Volume Without Increased Cost

Residential recycling service will increase from every other week to weekly. Due to the ease and convenience of the program, recycling participation in single stream recycling program neighborhoods is significantly higher than stacked recycle bin neighborhoods (72% vs. 29%). Republic Services has committed to provide this improved recycling service at no additional cost. Residential trash bills may see a slight decrease for those homes currently renting carts when the rental fee is dropped in lieu of the free carts. Residential trash bills will not increase because their service fee is set by a franchise agreement and limited to annual increases per the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Improves Henderson's Sustainability

Clark County's waste recycled has fluctuated in the last ten years between 9% - 19%, well below the State of Nevada's voluntary recycling target of 25% and the US Environmental Protection Agency's recycling goal of 35%. In November 2011, Republic Services conducted a visual survey of Henderson's neighborhoods and identified single stream recycling participation rates to be 72% vs. stacked recycle bin neighborhood participation rates at 28.8%. The single stream recycling program is the most effective way to increase participation, and reduce our landfill waste.

For more information about the Pilot Program, Republic Services created an informational video.

Single Stream Recycling Program
Beginning in October, all participants in the Enhanced Recycling Pilot Program will receive one recycling cart and one trash cart free of charge. The recycling cart is black with a blue lid. All recyclables go right into the same cart. A handy decal on the lid of the cart helps identify the acceptable items. Carts are emptied into two different automated truck. Trash trucks are emptied at the landfill and recycling trucks bring recyclables to a materials recovery facility (MRF) for sorting. The schedules and equipment you see in your neighborhood will differ depending on the logistics of Republic Services.

Improved Sorting
At the MRF, the truck driver empties the recyclables onto a conveyor belt. A system of belts, screens, magnets and blasts of air separate paper, plastics, glass, aluminum and other materials. While much of the system is automated, workers help separate certain materials by hand. Disposing of your recyclables correctly helps protect their health and safety (e.g. do not recycle needles, diapers, or food waste). Sorted bales and bins of materials are then taken to processing facilities before being sold as resources for making new products.

New Bulky Items Pick Up Days
In addition to trash and recycling collection, bulky items may be picked up on your same day of service, every other week. Items like landscape waste, furniture and appliances that are set out at your curb will be picked up at no additional charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION: Why is Henderson changing to a cart recycling system?

ANSWER: Henderson is committed to encouraging recycling and improving customer service. Here are some of the reasons why Henderson is converting to the cart recycling system:

The amount of recyclable material collected each year has stayed about the same while the amount of garbage is increasing. When it’s easier to recycle, more people recycle. Many residents do not like the existing three-bin system because trash spills out into the neighborhood and they are difficult to carry to the curb. Many residents have seen or used the carts elsewhere and have requested them.

Cart lids keep materials dry and contained, so they don’t blow around neighborhoods. During inclement weather and in windy areas of Henderson, the carts help keep neighborhoods clean!

The larger recycling carts make it easier to collect more materials, such as laundry detergent bottles, cardboard and plastic milk containers.

Cart collection is safer for collection drivers and will reduce injuries.

Carts are expected to help reduce scavenging, the practice of taking recyclables without the owner’s permission. Scavenging is against the law and considered by law enforcement to be a gateway crime to other illegal activities. Please note: If you see a theft in progress, please call 9-1-1 and report it, but do not confront the suspects. Make a note of identifying factors, such as vehicle type and license plate numbers, and provide that information with your report.

QUESTION: Will I receive less service from Republic Services?
ANSWER: No, the level of service you receive from Republic Services will not change. At present, Republic Services comes to your home a total of five times over a two week period: four times for trash collection and once for recycling collection. With the Enhanced Recycling Pilot Program, you will still have collection five times over a two week period: twice for trash, twice for recycling, and once for bulky items that will not fit into your containers. Republic Services will also be providing the trash cart and recycling cart free of charge, a value of more than $8.00 per month. Trash collection and recycling collection will both occur on the same day, every week. Two different trucks will be used: one for trash and one for recycling.

QUESTION: The new containers are too large. Where will I store them?
ANSWER: The new containers are designed to use the same or less floor area than your current trash container. With the Enhanced Recycling Program, each household will receive two new containers free of charge: one for trash and one for recyclables. Three different sizes of containers are available, and you may select the size that best fits your needs. If your household generates a smaller than normal amount of trash or recyclables, you may ask to downsize from the standard (96 gallon) container to a mid-size (66 gallon) or small (36 gallon) container. Again, the choice is yours.

QUESTION: Won’t my trash stink if it’s only picked up once a week?
ANSWER: Your new trash containers will have a permanently-attached, fitted lid to keep any odors within the container. Placing items that might produce an odor into a plastic trash bag will further minimize odors. Weekly trash pick-up is used in many areas of the country that experience hot summers similar to ours, such as Arizona and Southern California, with very little complaint about odors.

QUESTION: Why am I being forced to participate in the Enhanced Recycling Pilot Program?
ANSWER: Recycling is a quick, easy and inexpensive way to reduce our impact to our environment. Many of your neighbors want an easier and more convenient way to recycle, and the City of Henderson is committed to making this type of recycling program available to the majority of residents who are requesting it. If you do not want to participate in the Enhanced Recycling Program, simply do not use your recycling container and contact Republic Services to have it removed.

For additional information, please contact Republic Services at (702) 599-5561.