Baytown residents will soon have a new reason to recycle even more than they already do. Employees in trucks labeled “Rehrig Pacific, Co.” and “U.C. Services” will deliver new 96-gallon recycling carts to residents beginning Tuesday, September 4. The City anticipates city-wide delivery to take approximately three weeks to complete, with carts being delivered Monday – Saturday.
Following a six month pilot recycling program, the Baytown City Council reviewed the data and received feedback from residents before voting to distribute the 96-gallon carts to all Baytown residents. During the pilot, most residents enjoyed the convenience of the recycling cart and in every neighborhood, recycling at least doubled.
The 96-gallon cart has wheels, making it much easier to maneuver; as well as a lid to protect the recyclables from exposure to wind and rain and to help keep wildlife out of the recycled materials. Nothing else will change about residential trash, recycling or curbside brush collection. Everything else will remain the same, including collection days. A limited number of 65-gallon carts will be available with priority given to elderly and disabled residents.
There are two key benefits to recycling (environmental and economic). Recycling benefits the environment - instead of sending waste to the landfill, where it takes years to decompose, it is recycled and used again. Every ton of paper recycled saves 17 trees. Recycling also has an economic benefit - cities with strong recycling programs experience lower costs. The more Baytown residents recycle the cheaper solid waste costs will be into the future. The more waste diverted from landfills, the more money residents keep in their pockets.
Ready to embrace recycling? Residents will be amazed how little they can’t recycle. A sticker will be attached to the cart, letting residents know what materials can and cannot be recycled. It’s as easy as tossing the materials in the cart throughout the week and leaving the cart at the curb on recycle day.
For more information, check out the City’s website at www.baytown.org or call the Baytown Public Works Department at 281-420-5300.
