Glen Ellyn Recycles Millions of Pounds of Trash, Residents Get the Credit

Residents receiving August refuse bills will notice a credit for the first time for recycling. The Village of Glen Ellyn for refuse service, which includes a credit for recycling.

In its new contract with its refuse provider Republic Services, the village will now offer residents a credit based on the amount of revenue received the previous year from recycling.

The recycling credit is being offered for the first time since the city started its recycling program, said Kristen Schrader, assistant to the Village Manager. 

In fiscal year 2011-12, the village received roughly $185,000 in recycling revenues, which translated to the $2.15 monthly credit, per account, she said. 

In 2011, 4,174 tons of recycling was collected and recycled in the village, she said. That adds up to more than 8 million pounds of trash.

“The Village of Glen Ellyn has long been a leader in fostering environmental stewardship and incorporating green principles into the community and the municipal workplace,” Schrader said. “We hope to continue that tradition into the future.”

The village doesn’t know exactly how many customers were recycling last year, but it does know that 37 percent of refuse collected in 2011 was recycled, Schrader said. 

In 1982, the Village of Glen Ellyn started a bulk-recycling program. Then, in 1987 the village instituted a recycling pilot program, she said. 

“The credit not only incentivizes residents to recycle, but it also assists in reducing the overall costs for solid waste services under the new contract,” she said.

The will hold an electronic recycling event on Sept. 29 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event will be held in the Duane/Lorraine parking lot. Learn more about the upcoming event on the village’s website.