Recycling Really CAN Pay Off

Rhode Island cities and towns were recently issued checks by Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation for the efforts of residents recycling. RIRRC has recently also launched an educational program to better inform residents of what is and is not acceptable for the bins. Providence is currently changing over their recycling program in an effort to increase the recycling rates after a summer recycling contest among the 5 collection routes. However one of the biggest potential contributors to this revenue generator seems to have been left out of the equation:

Businesses.

Rhode Island businesses of 50 or more employees are by law required to recycle, and there is an effort by RIRRC to educate businesses of all sizes with free waste audits. Why not direct the benefits of those audits (increased recyclables) back into the cities the businesses are located by allowing them to place the same items residential customers can at the curb side ? Even smaller businesses currently that recycle must pay for dumpsters to be emptied at their own expense. Imagine the savings that businesses could realize with one less expense and the increase in recycling rates across RI cities. This could be a great way for RI goverment to show they are trying to help businesses even if it is a small step.