CURBSIDE RECYCLING COMING TO BELLEVUE IN 2009
Metro, EarthSavers contract allows for expansion into GSD neighborhoods
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (October 29, 2008) -
Metro’s first effort to expand curbside recycling to residents in the General Services District will begin in Bellevue in early 2009, Mayor Karl Dean announced today.
A contract with EarthSavers, LLC has been signed to implement a pilot curbside collection program to single family homes in the 37221 zip code. EarthSavers, a Nashville-based company, already serves about 400 residential and business recycling customers in Metro.
“Recycling is one of the single most important things that we as individual citizens can do for Nashville’s environment, as well as our city’s economy. As more and more people begin to recognize the value of recycling, Metro Government is committed to making it available in more neighborhoods,” Dean said.
In exchange for a low monthly rate of $10, Bellevue residents will receive monthly curbside pickup of paper, cardboard, all plastics Nos. 1-7, aluminum and metal cans, and glass. Residents must also purchase a recycling cart for about $40, but EarthSavers is seeking corporate sponsors to help offset that fee for the first 1,000 subscribers.
District 35 Councilmember Bo Mitchell said: “The Bellevue community is an exciting place to be right now. It is growing and families are becoming more environmentally conscious all the time. Curbside recycling will be a great convenience and even more people will be able to participate, just because it’s easier.”
Bellevue residents can visit www.recyclenashville.com to sign up for the pilot curbside program. EarthSavers’ Chief Manager Bobby Bandy said the company plans to deliver the carts and begin collections in the first quarter of 2009.
“The average American household throws away 3,500 pounds of trash each year. The materials that we will take in the curbside recycling program will enable residents to recycle 40 to 60 percent of that waste – reducing the need for landfill space and the need to mine for new materials. It’s good for the planet and good for industry,” Bandy said.
To encourage Bellevue residents to sign up for the pilot program, EarthSavers has committed to donating a portion of the proceeds from the recyclables collected in the area to purchase books for the new Bellevue Library.
Voluntary curbside recycling is currently provided by Metro Public Works to approximately 120,000 households in the Urban Services District. Public Works also provides a network of 15 community recycling drop-off sites in Davidson County, including one at the MTA Park & Ride Lot on Highway 70 South in Bellevue.
The Bellevue site consistently ranks as the second most-visited site in Metro, which is why Public Works decided to launch the pilot curbside program in that area, Director Billy Lynch said.
“The Bellevue drop-off averages 140 tons of recycling each month, so we knew these residents were avid recyclers who would most likely support a curbside program,” Lynch said. “If the Bellevue pilot is successful, we hope to expand curbside subscription to other areas of the city where our drop-off locations have been well received.”
For information about Metro’s recycling programs and drop-off locations, visit www.nashville.gov/recycle or call (615) 880-1000.
Karl Dean and Councilman Bo Mitchell with an EarthSavers recycle bin
For media inquiries contact:
Janel Lacy
(615) 862-6020
janel.lacy@nashville.gov