Reward program to boost recycling

The company that handles garbage collection for most of Brevard County has started rolling out a program to reward customers for recycling more.

Waste Management is offering the program through Recyclebank, a New York-based company that gives people points for their recycling efforts that can be redeemed for coupons, gift cards and other deals. “It’s a constant message,” said Milo Zonka, government affairs manager for Waste Management. “It raises the visibility on recycling. That’s really what some people need” to boost recycling.

The recycling rewards program launched in Indian Harbour Beach this week, Zonka said. Company officials have been in talks with Palm Bay and Melbourne to be the next areas for expansion.

Through Recyclebank, every resident will get 2.5 points per pound for the average amount their neighborhood recycles. In Palm Bay, residents recycle an average of 9 pounds of material weekly, Zonka said.

Residents can earn extra points by calling or going online to register that they set out their recycling, watching videos or playing games online that are designed to teach about sustainable living.

Points needed to redeem the rewards range from 25 points for a $1 coupon for yogurt to 2,500 points for $10 gift cards to national stores and restaurants. People also can donate points to community groups. Indian Harbour Beach’s program is free for its residents because it is participating in the Green Choices Recycling Challenge, a nationwide competition of smaller cities sponsored by household product manufacturer SC Johnson.

The program would cost 30 cents a month for garbage customers in Palm Bay and Melbourne, if each city’s elected leaders approve it.

And that has raised concerns for some residents in Palm Bay, who said the cumulative cost is too much for what they call simply a “coupon program.” With 35,000 garbage customers in Palm Bay, the 30 cent-a-month fee would generate $126,000 annually, which Recyclebank officials say covers the cost of administering the program.

Zonka said the rewards are just a portion of the program, which he described as a hook to put a focus on sustainable living.

“It’s that constant messaging on recycling. That’s the benefit to the community,”

Palm Bay households nearly doubled the amount they recycle from an average of 241 to 468 pounds a year by moving to single-stream recycling carts. Recyclebank estimates its program could boost recycling by another 10 percent to 20 percent.

Waste Management is also working with local businesses — Brevard Zoo is one — to offer Space Coast specific rewards, Zonka said. Greater Palm Bay Regional Chamber and Melbourne Regional Chamber of East Central Florida said they support the program.