OUR OPINION: Recycling Makes Money

Our page-one illustration and the story explaining it on page two leads us to one question: Who is responsible for making sure Philadelphians, diligently involved in recycling, are aware of the rewards program?

So few conscientious recyclers are even aware a rewards program exists, let alone how to apply for it. And, we ask, if they do apply, what happens then?

When first declared as an incentive to get more citizens interested in recycling, the rewards program sounded good. When they sent personal bar-code labels to be affixed to recycling buckets, it sounded even better. People were then told the individual codes would be lumped together in the block and neighbors would be apprised of how many points they had earned and then turn them in for food, treats, etc.

Since then, going way back, there has been an ebb in the flow to citizens about the availability of program rewards, how specifically to apply for them, and the steps they need to take to share in the rewards due them. The program has not been living up its promises.

What started us along this investigation was our noticing week after week those picking up the recycled material from the blue containers failed to record, in any manner whatsoever, the bar-code information. Without that information, how can the system work?

Maybe it’s time for a City Council Committee to delve into finding answers as to why a win-win moneymaker for the City does not return a fair share to the citizenry.

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