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OVERVIEW
From October to November, the school showing the highest recycling rate (recycling per student) will win the recycling trophy! 


CHANGES TO RECYCLING 
Due to recent renovations at the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) we can now mix all recyclables in one bin and recycle ALL plastic containers less than two gallons! You can put your recyclables out in any bin (blue or green), or any container with an "Extra Recycling" sticker on the side of it. 


ECONOMIC BENEFIT
Recycling is a great money-saving opportunity for Providence. The city pays a $32 fee for every ton of garbage brought to the landfill, but pays nothing for recycling.  Every bit of trash that we can keep from throwing in the trash will benefit the city.  The recycling program also pays the city a percentage of their profit from recycling, depending on how much the city recycled throughout the year.  Not only could Providence save thousands each year on trash disposal, they could turn a profit on recycling.  

Rhode Island also has the issue of space.  Our landfill has enough space to last another 23 years, but after that we are out of landfill space in the state of Rhode Island.  Because of this, we will be forced to send our trash to another state, most likely more than doubling our disposal fee.  Not only will this cost the city more money, but their fees will be reflected in each resident's trash fees. 


ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT
Why should you recycle? Besides the economic benefit listed above, recycling creates the opportunity for us to cut down on the raw materials that we take from the earth, and reuse what we have already cut down, mined and extracted.  In our schools, our largest opportunity for recycling is office paper and cardboard boxes...

• One ton of recycled paper uses: 64% less energy, 50% less water, 74% less air pollution, saves 17 trees and creates 5 times more jobs than one ton of paper products from virgin wood pulp. #
• Recycling 1 ton of paper saves 17 trees (35’ tall), 2 barrels of oil (enough fuel to run the average car for 1260 miles or from Dallas to Los Angeles), 4100 kilowatts of energy (enough power for the average home for 6 months), 3.2 cubic yards of landfill space (one family size pick-up truck) and 60 pounds of air pollution. (Trash to Cash, 1996) 
• http://www.techsoup.org/greentech/paper/page10834.cfm)

POTENTIAL
The City of Providence is currently recycling only 15% of its waste.  Worchester, Massachusetts, a city similar in size and population is recycling 45% of its waste! We have a TON of potential where recycling is concerned, and we need to get EVERYONE involved.

The best way to get to every family in the city is to start in our schools. If we can get students educated and excited about recycling, they will bring it home with them, and push their parents to recycle. 

We have the opportunity to make a HUGE impact!