Community Development
Enhanced Recycling Program
Republic Services will begin collecting trash and recycling from residents
in Phase II of the Enhanced Recycling Program between mid-October and
mid-November. Residents who are included in Phase II will receive a welcome
letter from Republic Services containing the day of the week (for example:
Monday) their new trash and recycling will be picked-up and the exact date (for example: October 15) when their pick-up will begin. Mouseover the
pick-up days below to see if your neighborhood is included in the program
and which is your pick-up day. Read our
Enhanced Recycling
Program Brochure
for more information or find your address with our new
Enhanced Recycling Interactive Map online.
For more information about the Enhanced Recycling Program, Republic Services created an
informational
video. You may also sign-up to receive more information about recycling
through an electronic
newsletter from Republic Services.
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 Recycling Program:
Benefits of Enhanced Recycling
Cleaner Neighborhoods
The new trash and recycling carts are sturdy and have double-locking lids that protect trash and prevent material from spilling or blowing down the street. With every home receiving new recycling and trash carts, there will no longer be trash bags piled along the street. 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.
Easy & Convenient
All recyclable material goes into one single wheeled cart and is picked-up once
a week. The
ease of use and increased weekly pick-up are key reasons
for a 58% increase in the volume of recycled material collected during the pilot
program. Residents have their choice of small, medium or large
containers. The small recycling cart takes up the same space as the
old red, white and blue stackable recycling bins. Residents can also order
an extra recycling or trash cart at no additional charge.
Increases Recycling Service Without Increased Cost
Residential recycling service will increase from every other week to weekly. Republic Services has committed to provide this improved recycling service at no additional cost. Homes that rent a trash cart may see a slight decrease in their bill when their rented cart is replaced by the free carts. Residential trash bills will not increase because Republic Services' service fee is set by a franchise agreement and limited to annual increases per the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Improves Henderson's Sustainability
Over the year that 25,000 Henderson households participated in the enhanced recycling pilot program, their recycling rates jumped from 6% to more than 30%. In November 2011, Republic Services conducted a visual comparison of neighborhoods in the program to those still using bins and found single stream recycling participation rates to be 72% versus 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.
Enhanced Recycling Program
All participants in the Enhanced Recycling Program receive one recycling cart and one trash cart free of charge. The
recycling cart is black with a blue lid. Recyclables do not need to be sorted
but rather all recyclable go into the same
cart. A handy decal on the lid of the cart helps identify acceptable items. While
trash and recycling are picked-up on the same day every week, the carts are emptied into two different automated trucks
that come to your house at different times of day. 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.
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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!
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The larger recycling carts make it easier to collect more materials, such as laundry detergent bottles, cardboard and plastic milk containers.
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Cart collection is safer for collection drivers and will reduce injuries.
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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.
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 Program?
ANSWER:
Recycling is a quick,
easy and inexpensive way to reduce our impact on 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 or visit their website at republicservicesvegas.com.