The city of Sacramento has entered into a partnership with RecycleBank to launch a pilot program under which the residents of Sacramento's South Meadowview neighborhood will receive rewards such as savings on groceries, pharmacy costs, sporting goods, school supplies for their recycling efforts.
Sacramento is the second city in California to collaborate with RecycleBank, following Los Angeles, which began its program in April.
RecycleBank is funded by a grant from the CalRecycles, State of California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery.
Sacramento is piloting the rewards program to help encourage proper recycling in the blue containers, decreasing contamination. Recycling contamination occurs when non-recyclable items or when unclean items are placed in the blue recycling containers. When sorted, these items are removed and taken to the landfill.
The city hopes that the incentives of rewards will help the South Meadowview neighborhood to embrace the recycling program, become more conscious of what they are recycling and ensure that only recyclables are placed in the blue recycling containers for maximum RecycleBank Point earning.
To receive RecycleBank Points for recycling, residents must sign up with the program and can then redeem points for rewards.
Residents can also choose from a host of local and national partners, including Nature Made, Coca-Cola, CVS/pharmacy, Scott Naturals, Huggies, Purex Natural Elements, McDonald’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Dick’s Sporting Goods among many others.
Axel Newe, vice president and general manager of Recyclable, said: “RecycleBank is helping to create a culture that encourages people to take simple steps towards greener lifestyles.
”We’re excited to further expand our services in California and bring valuable rewards to the families in Sacramento, while helping the City reach its environmental goals.”