Every Philadelphia resident is supposed to recycle.
Unfortunately, the city’s recycling corporate partner, Recycle Bank, has no figures on what percentage of Philadelphians actually follow the recycling laws.
But the firm knows at least one thing about the city’s residents: folks living in the Northeast expect more in return for recycling than residents of any other part of the city do.
About 16 percent of households in the Northeast have registered for Recycle Bank’s rewards program, said Felicia Parker-Cox, community outreach manager for the firm, while addressing the monthly meeting of the 7th Police District Advisory Council.
This is not to say that just 16 percent of Northeast residents recycle. It does mean they have chosen to receive free coupons for local restaurants, supermarkets, department stores, museums and other businesses, in exchange for the trash that they recycle.
The rewards program has been in place in the Northeast for about 18 months and is now in effect citywide. About 33 percent of the city’s trash is now diverted into the recycling program, Parker-Cox said.
Both the city and Recycle Bank want the “diversion” ratio and the rewards program participation to climb a lot higher.
Registration for the program is free and simple. Residents can call 311 or the Recycle Bank toll-free number 888–769–7960, or visit www.recyclebank.com/philly-recycles to register.
They will receive a bar-coded sticker to affix to their recycling container. When the recycling truck comes to their house, the truck will collect the contents of the container and read the bar code. That household will get credit for recycling that day.
At the end of the day, the truck will be weighed to determine how much recycled materials were collected from the neighborhood. Reward points will be distributed equally among participants in each neighborhood based on the total weight.
The system is called a “community weight-based” rewards program, Parker-Cox said.
Participants can monitor their points accounts via the Web site or the toll-free Recycle Bank number. Participants can receive coupons by e-mail or U.S. Mail. Participants can redeem points whenever and however they choose, or they may save their points indefinitely.
In addition to the rewards program, Recycle Bank sponsors a Green Schools Grant program that last year distributed $28,000 to Philadelphia schools for selected projects.
Recycle Bank is accepting applications for this year’s grant program. The deadline is Dec. 15. Schools must be within Philadelphia and declare a specific project, such as planting a garden or starting a recycling program. Call 888–769–7960 for information.
• Officers Dan Butler and Randy Vogt were named Officers of the Month for October for capturing two strong-arm robbery suspects.
On Saturday, Oct. 15, at about 4 p.m., the officers took a report of a robbery at the AAA gas station at 10188 Bustleton Ave. The victim said that two known males punched him, threw him against a car, ripped a gold chain from his neck and broke his sunglasses. He provided names for both suspects.
At 9:25 that night, Butler and Vogt were completing a car stop at Bustleton and Benton avenues when Vogt saw a blue Volkswagen fitting the description of the robbery suspects’ vehicle. It was traveling southbound on the 8500 block of Algon Ave.
The officers ran the vehicle’s tag, which was linked to one of the named suspects. When the officers stopped the car, one of the suspects was driving, while the second suspect was in the passenger seat.
Butler and Vogt arrested the males for robbery and related charges.
• The 7th PDAC nominated three of its executive board members for new two-year terms. Chairman Mike Myers, vice chairwoman Greta Kleyman and treasurer Roslyn Robbins all were elected by unanimous consent in the absence of other nominees.
Recording secretary Sister Therese Tygielska was unable to accept the nomination for a new term. The position will remain open until a new nominee is found.
The new terms will take effect in January and continue through December 2013.
• The 7th district and its advisory council seek donations for their annual holiday party for Fox Chase Champions at Knowlton Mansion on Dec. 13. The party benefits special needs children and young adults in the community.
Donors can contribute money or new, unwrapped gifts that will be given to the children and young adults. Call 215–686–3070 for information.
• The 7th PDAC seeks volunteers and donations of money, prepared food or services, along with gift certificates or other tokens of appreciation, for the annual Police and Firefighters Appreciation Dinner on Jan. 5 at the Bustleton and Bowler station. Buffet meals will be served to members of the 7th district, Engine 62, Ladder 34 and Medic 6 in appreciation for the work they do throughout the year. Sponsors may send gifts to “7th Police District Advisory Council,” at 9845 Bustleton Ave., Suite 4, Philadelphia, PA 19115, or call 267–888–7695 to arrange for a pick-up. ••
Reporter William Kenny can be reached at 215–354–3031 or wkenny@bsmphilly.com
