Atlas Twp.-The number of residents who recycle in the township is currently less than 25 percent.
That number is set to increase if a new Davison company, Rewards for Recycling, can convince the board of trustees to take on a new initiative.
‘Why not,? said Preston Hards, marketing director for Rewards for Recycling following a presentation to the township board last month.
The cost of Rewards for Recycling in a community varies, depending on the number of households, the hauler and the number of hauling trucks in service. However, Hards said Genesee county currently pays an average of 75 cents per home per month.
The cost to township residents will be $1 per month, in addition to the $8.22 garbage collection fee.
‘The benefits of recycling are obvious and plain. It’s unfortunate that it takes financial incentives to get people to start.?
Rewards for Recycling provides a multitude of financial incentives to lure communities toward recycling, he added.
The community-based program encourages curbside recycling participation by rewarding household recycling with savings certificates.
By utilizing a scanning system to record household participation, Rewards for Recycling can keep track of how much a home recycles and which level of certificates the household is entitled to.
‘We have a three-tiered system,? Hards said. ‘Tier one gives savings of two to three dollars. Everyone in the community, whether they recycle or not, is entitled to those savings.?
Tier two savings are higher in value and limited in number.
‘After recycling participation is recorded, a household is entitled to $30 to $40 savings,? the marketing director said.
The proposal from Rewards for Recycling will be discussed at 7 p.m, July 20 during the regular township board of trustees meeting.