for the urban

TRASH to treasure

that Dallas residents toss into blue bins. Our recycling efforts aren’t enough, however, to cover the cost of what the city spends to pick up recyclables — in 2008, the funds generated by recyclables recouped roughly 40 percent of the cost.

On top of that, the city’s department of sanitation services never knows how much money recyclables will generate because the cash paid for this kind of trash formally known as the “recycling commodity market” — fluctuates constantly, and oscillates for some items more than others. For example, department director Mary Nix says, “old newspaper has seen a less drastic variance than old metal cans (steel and metal mixes not aluminum).”

With the economy in a recession over the past year, the market for recyclables “dropped quite starkly,” Nix says, but began leveling off more recently. The city hopes the market improves, but Nix is quick to emphasize that, ultimately, Dallas’ recycling efforts are not about money.

“The city has committed to a recycling program based largely on its positive impact on our environment,” Nix says. “The revenueshare is a way to help offset the cost of the service, but is not its primary driver. So, we’ll continue to promote the recycling.” and click on “blog” to find out more about the city’s recycling efforts and to find a recyclables collection calendar.