RecycleBank in the City of Alcoa - to learn more, click on the video below:

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What is Single-Stream Recycling? Click the on video below to find out:

Single-Stream Recycling Video

The City of Alcoa is excited to offer residents the opportunity to be rewarded for their recycling efforts. The RecycleBank program allows homeowners to earn up to $20 worth of credits a month based on the amount of recycling they do. Customers who sign-up to receive the RecycleBank service receive a special container embedded with a computer chip. When picked up, the recycling truck records the weight of the cart and transmits it wirelessly to an online account. The customer’s account builds points that can be redeemed for discounts / gift cards from area merchants. If you’re interested in this program here is how it will work:

• Interested residents and small businesses need to sign and return the RecycleBank letter that was mailed to them. At least 1,500 customers need to commit to a 12-month contract.
• When the service starts, a fee of $3 per month will be added to the utility bill of those receiving the service.
• Waste Connections – the City’s curbside recycling contractor and local vendor for RecycleBank – will deliver a 95-gallon rolling cart (similar to your garbage cart) to your home / small business. This will replace the existing recycling bin that is carried to the curb each week. The new cart will simply be rolled curbside. Those who currently have backdoor pickup because of a handicap or disability will continue to have backdoor pickup of the wheeled recycle cart if they choose the RecycleBank program. Weekly recycling of the recycle bin will continue for those choosing not to participate in RecycleBank.
• Curbside recycling service will change from weekly to every other week. As with the current curbside service, there’s no need to separate recycled materials. Everything is placed in the cart: #1 - #7 plastics; newspapers & inserts; aluminum, steel & tin cans; glass (all colors); plastic bags; corrugated cardboard & boxboard; magazines; junk mail; office paper; phone books; file folders.

Depending on the amount of material recycled, residents will more than earn back their investment with points redeemable for rewards at over 2300 RecycleBank partners. National partners include Wal-Mart, Olive Garden, McDonalds, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Ruby Tuesdays and more (see www.recyclebank.com). RecycleBank will also be contacting local merchants to add as partners.

Other east Tennessee communities already participating in the RecycleBank program include Jefferson City, Oak Ridge, and Knoxville. For comparison, subscription service in other communities runs over $6 per month per resident and the average RecycleBank household earns about $15 per month in rewards.

Other east Tennessee communities already participating in the RecycleBank program include Jefferson City, Oak Ridge, and Knoxville. For comparison, subscription service in other communities runs over $6 per month per resident and the average RecycleBank household earns about $15 per month in rewards. Click on the links below to find out more on RecycleBank in our surrounding communities:

• WATE Lori Tucker/Whitney Holmes: New RecycleBank Program to Start in Area
• WBIR Live at Five at Four: Going Green Pays Off in Knoxville
• WATE Lori Tucker: RecycleBank Kicks Off In Oak Ridge, Jefferson City, Knox County
• WATE Lori Tucker: What Happens with Your RecycleBank Recycled Material?

Again, the City of Alcoa needs a commitment from at least 1,500 residents and small businesses to initiate the program. Residents are asked to indicate their willingness to participate by signing your name and returning your letter by Friday, August 13, 2010. The letter may be returned by:

• Mailing it back in the reply envelope enclosed with your letter
• Dropping it in any City of Alcoa payment drop box
• Dropping it off at the City of Alcoa Municipal Building at 223 Associates Blvd. in the Springbrook Corporate Center
• E-mail your response to: recyclebank@cityofalcoa-tn.gov. Include your account number, name as it appears on your account, and your telephone number.

If the minimum requirement is met, those committing to the program will be notified in advance of the program start date. Please call 865-380-4800 if you have any questions.